Pol Lt Gen Itthiphon gave the order at a meeting held at Phuket airport on Thursday (Feb 8), said a report by Immigration officers stationed at the airport.
During his visit, Pol Lt Gen Itthiphon reviewed the immigration officers at the airport, led by Pol Col Padthongtew Damapong, and took part in the festivities held at the airport to mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year.
The order for immigration officers at the airport to go to ‘full manpower’ status for the Chinese New Year is to be in effect from Feb 8-14.
“Full manpower is to be deployed at every checkpoint [at the airport] during periods of heavy flights to hasten the processing of passengers accumulated in the waiting hall,” the report noted.
The aim is to reduce waiting time for clearing immigration to within 30 minutes, the report added.
Officers are also prepared to handle any immigration computer system malfunction, such as the one that disrupted immigration services late last month.
The report noted that officials expect a 30-35% increase in the number of international arrivals over the Chinese New Year, as already reported. (See also ‘Phuket braces for Chinese visa-free influx’)
“We would like all tourists to be confident that all immigration officers at the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint will perform their duties to provide full convenience to all tourists,” the report concluded.
Monchai Tanode, General Manager of Phuket International Airport, has already urged people travelling to the airport to allow two to three hours traveling time in order to make sure people do not miss their flights.