Immigration reveals 5 main measures at airports to welcome the surge in tourism during the Songkran festival. It is expected that the number will increase to 100,000 baht per day. According to the policy of Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister, who announced that Thai airports will be Aviation Hubs or aviation hubs of the region and announced free visas for countries such as China and India with the aim of stimulating tourism in Thailand. Especially during the Songkran festival this April. Today (April 3) at 9:00 a.m., Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimpadee, commander of Immigration Region 2 and spokesman for Immigration Bureau, has revealed that Police Lieutenant General Itthiphon Itthisanronnachai Commander-in-Chief of the Immigration Bureau came to chair the meeting along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Manad Sriwongsa, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Immigration Bureau, to follow up on the readiness for the opening of the "Plan for Facilitation and Security" Immigration procedures During the Songkran Festival ' or 'Air space Plan/Festival 67' from 28 March - 30 April 2024 of the Immigration Bureau 2, which oversees immigration work at 5 airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. In this meeting Invited relevant agencies such as Suvarnabhumi Airport Authority various airlines Join in and listen. By the way, Immigration Bureau 2 has explained that there are main measures according to the plan. To support the convenience of tourists under the principles of security, a total of 5 measures are in place to support the situation during congested flights, including: 1. Personnel measures This solves the problem of manpower shortage. By mobilizing the personnel of the Airport Immigration Bureau and Police Lieutenant General Itthiphon Has ordered the support of more than 100 personnel from various immigration checkpoints to perform the duty of checking passports entering and exiting at Suvarnabhumi and main airports such as Phuket. In addition, he has asked for cooperation from officials in refraining from taking vacation leave. To help speed up the flow of passenger inspections to the fullest . ?2. Measures to reduce the process It was reported that the Immigration Bureau 2 has reduced unnecessary procedures, such as refraining from scanning Thai people's faces and fingers, and refraining from scanning boarding passes. Refrain from stamping foreigners using the outbound Automatic Channel machine and reduce the process of Some officials left. This can reduce the time of testing per person from 45 seconds to 20 seconds per person. 3. Technology measures By having academic staff from the Immigration Technology Center come on duty to monitor the Immigration system to prevent any disruptions. ?4. Security measures By assigning investigative work to the Immigration Division 2 to coordinate news with security agencies. To prevent posing as tourists of various risk groups. Especially criminals such as Vietnamese, Colombian, etc. gangs, as well as groups of conflicting nations that may come and commit crimes during this period. 5. Measures for cooperation with neighboring units. Especially the airline group To solve emergency problems in the case of an airplane malfunction and unable to depart. Procedures have been previously established, including providing assistance to passengers who must use the express or priority lanes, such as the disabled, small children, etc. which Police Lieutenant General Itthiphon He urged the Immigration Bureau 2 to help strictly follow the plan and measures mentioned in all 5 measures, and the commander of Immigration Bureau 2 along with commanders at all levels Help each other control and manage the situation closely. Especially during heavy flight periods It is expected that in April, during Songkran, there will be approximately 120,000 international passengers arriving and departing per day, with a maximum of approximately 25 flights per hour, representing an accumulation of approximately 4,000-5,000 passengers per hour per day, and from All 5 measures that have been implemented sinc e 1 March have been found to be able to expedite the release of passengers waiting in queues during crowded flights. By timing from the person at the end of the queue. Walked to the front of the checkpoint. It took only 15 minutes to wait in line to be inspected by an Immigration official. There were compliments from both Thais and foreigners that Immigration in Thailand expedites passport inspections better than many other countries. He therefore asked the people to be confident in the work of the Immigration Bureau that it is fully prepared to be the country's gateway to receiving tourists to create income for our country during Songkran. Source: Thai News Agency