Reformed immigration service set at Phuket Airport

PHUKET, THAILAND, January 17 (TNA) - Due to long queues of passengers at Phuket International Airport during New Year holidays, the Immigration Bureau plans a reformed service to facilitate international travellers during the upcoming Chinese New Year Festival and St. Valentine's Day. Immigration Bureau Commander Police Lieutenant General Nattorn Prohsunthorn met officers of the local immigration office and other agencies concerned at Phuket Airport on Tuesday to discuss the issue for a solution, following a delay of the immigration service at the crowded Phuket Airport. In the short term, Police Lieutenant General Nattorn said he has instructed the concerned officers to work effectively and reduce redundancy to facilitate the increasing number of passengers during the upcoming Chinese New Year Festival late this month and St. Valentine's Day next month. In the long term, the immigration bureau chief revealed that a new biometric immigration system will be replaced the old one and auto channels for automatic passport inspections will be installed at the Phuket Airport. Normally, a large number of international tourists visit Phuket during the annual high season. After the opening of a new international terminal, international flights using the Phuket Airport have increased and the number of passengers have risen, particularly Russian travellers. (TNA)