Envisaging a surge in tourist footfall from China and Kazakhstan as a result of the new visa-free policy coming into effect next week, the Immigration Bureau (IB) is gearing up by bolstering its officer count at the bustling Suvarnabhumi International Airport. This more accessible entry for nationals of the mentioned countries, announced in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and given a green light on Sept 13, will be in operation from Monday till Feb 29 of the following year.
Deputy police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot took the initiative to meet with officers from Immigration Division 2 stationed at the airport on Tuesday. The purpose of this meeting was to delve into the preparations put in place to accommodate and greet the incoming influx of tourists expected during the tourist high season.
According to Pol Lt Gen Thatchai, the airport is predicted to witness a large increase in traffic following the initiation of the scheme. The number of Chinese tourists alone is anticipated to witness a drastic hike from 300,000 to 500,000 per month. To cope with this rise, approximately 150 immigration police officers are set to oversee all 119 immigration counters during peak hours at the airport when the visa-free policy is in action. The aim is to offer swift service and ensure that each tourist spends less than 20 minutes in the visa queue. Predominantly, flights from China and Kazakhstan reach before dawn and at midday, which is considered as peak hours.
Emphasising the smooth handling of this significant footfall, Pol Lt Gen Thatchai mentioned that special immigration checkpoints will be set up for tour groups. Additionally, officers with proficiency in specialist languages will be placed at immigration areas to assist visitors if required.
As concerns arise around the possibility that the visa-free scheme might inadvertently facilitate the entry of Chinese nationals involved in dubious activities, Pol Lt Gen Thatchai assured that the Immigration Bureau possesses robust screening and background verification mechanisms. These systems will considerably decrease the chances of such individuals from setting foot in Thailand.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry’s records reveal that Thailand has already received a staggering 19,000,988 international tourists from Jan 1 to Sept 18 this year, generating roughly 795 billion baht in revenue for the nation. Just last week, the country welcomed an impressive 470,708 foreign tourists, hinting at what lies ahead with the new visa policy.
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