At the heart of the IB’s mission is the goal to enhance both service speed and national security. Spearheading this effort at Suvarnabhumi is the implementation of the state-of-the-art Thailand Immigration System (TIS). Under the leadership of Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, the IB is diligently crafting a seamless experience for travelers across major international airports, including Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai.
In a candid interview with the Bangkok Post, the 56-year-old commander, bringing over a decade’s experience to the table, shared his vision for Suvarnabhumi. Having honed his skills at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and the Royal Police Cadet Academy, Choengron has tackled challenges head-on. An unscheduled visit from former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed congestion issues at immigration, prompting a swift response that included deploying an additional 300 officers and investing in technology.
Suvarnabhumi isn’t just an airport; it’s a strategic linchpin for Southeast Asia. With aspirations to rank among the world’s top 20 airports in five years, Suvarnabhumi aims to serve a staggering 150 million passengers annually, as compared to its current handling of an average 120,000 passengers daily—more than double Don Mueang’s capacity.
“As the year’s end draws near, we anticipate a swell to 135,000 daily travelers,” noted Choengron. To mitigate congestion, more officers will be deployed, ensuring a swift, seamless experience at checkpoints. Previously, officers took 1–2 minutes to process passengers, but new measures reduce processing time to an impressive 45 seconds per person. Gone are the redundant steps; flight information now auto-populates, and the once-necessary ink signatures are history.
Yet, the IB’s mission transcends speed; it’s about keeping our skies safe. The Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS) diligently flags individuals with warrants, casting a vigilant eye on those who may not appear to belong to the nationality their passport declares. Last year alone, some 7,000 were denied entry, many with links to scam networks.
While service is swift, security remains unyielding. “Each officer’s duty is twofold—efficiency and vigilance,” highlighted Choengron. The TIS, coupled with emerging AI technologies, fortifies security even as new automatic channels emerge, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Yet, no silver bullet exists. Even as Suvarnabhumi expands, service speed hinges on factors beyond manpower. Coming years hold promise, with a mobile pre-registration app in development, further automating processes. As Suvarnabhumi stands as Thailand’s welcome mat to the world, the task is clear: thwart threats, roll out the carpet for genuine travelers, and deliver unparalleled service, echoing the sentiments of Pol Maj Gen Choengron’s simple vision—a formidable, fast front-line team safeguarding Thailand’s borders.
I think the new changes at Suvarnabhumi Airport are really impressive. Speeding up immigration while keeping security in check is a big win for travelers.
But does speeding up really mean they’ll catch all potential threats? I’m worried corners will be cut in the name of efficiency.
That’s a valid concern. However, they did mention the integration of AI and other advanced systems to maintain vigilance.
As long as I don’t miss my connecting flight, I’m happy!
I agree with Lisa. If they manage to balance speed and safety, it’ll be awesome!
Isn’t this just another way to push through as many tourists as possible without caring about quality of service?
That’s one way to look at it, but tourism is a huge part of Thailand’s economy. They need to handle more visitors efficiently.
True, but I hope they don’t just see us as cash cows!
The economic benefits shouldn’t be underestimated though.
I read somewhere that these new systems breach privacy big time! Anyone else concerned about our data being used?
Finally, an airport that’s catching up to Changi! I hope it leads to fewer delays and stress-free travel.
Suvarnabhumi has a long way to go before it can rival Changi, but at least they’re making progress.
I wonder how effective these AI systems really are. Seems like technology is taking over everything!
AI is the future, Joe. It’s already proven effective in numerous fields, including security.
I get it, but it just feels like we’re becoming too dependent on machines.
Hasn’t anyone realized that reducing processing time may lead to more human errors? This is ambitious but risky.
Errors are inevitable, but the system improvements could minimize them overall.
I hope you’re right, Haley. The last thing we need is compromised security!
It’s great that Suvarnabhumi is preparing for more tourists. Anything to ease the congestion is welcome news.
Scaling up operations is easier said than done, Larry. Hope they can manage the influx!
Will these changes be enough to compete with the likes of Singapore or Dubai?
Suvarnabhumi’s expansion is ambitious but necessary. The daily numbers they’re planning to handle are insane!
True, but let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a chaotic mess.
Every major airport faces growing pains. Good leadership can make a difference.
Tackling over 120,000 passengers daily sounds crazy enough—are we ignoring the environmental impact here?
Great point! Sustainable measures should be a priority too.
So are they adding more staff or relying on machines? It’s confusing what’s really being prioritized.
At least they’re getting rid of those frustrating ink signatures. Progress!
I appreciate the efforts to make the experience faster. The last thing I want is to be stuck in a line after a long-haul flight.