Suvarnabhumi Airport upgrading to reduce passenger waiting time

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The last thing you need after enduring a long haul flight is a wait up to an hour and a half to clear immigration followed by potentially another wait for your luggage. Probably several of you have experienced that. Hopefully, whatever they're doing will reduce the waiting time. Their target waiting time is 30 minutes. I think that is also much too long. In my opinion it shouldn't be more then 10 minutes, tops, but don't hold your breath for that to happen - at least not in this lifetime . . .
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Airports of Thailand Addresses Suvarnabhumi Queues with Upgrades

By Goongnang Suksawat

28 February, 2024

Airports of Thailand (AOT) and immigration authorities are taking steps to address the issue of long passenger queues at Suvarnabhumi Airport, following complaints by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin about the slow processing times.

During a follow-up inspection jointly conducted by AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat and Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee of Immigration Division 2, it was discovered that passengers spend up to 1 hour and 30 minutes on immigration procedures during peak times with the airport handling 5,000-6,000 passengers per hour.

To reduce waiting times to their 30-minute target, AOT plans to add 800 staff members by March 30 to assist with searches and guide passengers. Additionally, immigration is to fully staff all booths during busy periods. Starting March 1, 200 new immigration officers will be stationed at the airport, with a total of 400 expected by year-end.

To further streamline the process, 80 additional automatic channels equipped with enhanced passport-checking software will be operational by July 15, and 20 new gates will be installed by June 15. These updates will include advanced technology for examining power banks without requiring passengers to remove their shoes. A Common Use Passenger Processing System has been implemented for self check-in and baggage loading, and AoT is encouraging airlines to open check-in counters four hours prior to departure.

AOT also plans to expand the airport’s eastern terminal by 2027 to effectively manage growing passenger numbers and enhance the overall efficiency of the passenger processing system.

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/02/28/a ... -upgrades/

[Jun]

BKK Immigration appear to now have staggered desks, some of which are behind the others and these are not clearly visible to incoming passengers. When I arrived, the guy on the hidden desk was on his phone and making no attempt to get some customers.