PHUKET — Phuket International Airport, Thailand’s third busiest airport after Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, is gearing up for a surge in holiday travelers during the Christmas and New Year period. Immigration officials and tourism authorities are implementing measures to accommodate the expected influx of visitors.
Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, Acting Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, inspected Phuket Airport’s immigration operations on December 19. He projects that during the high season from October to March, daily arrivals could reach up to 23,000 passengers.
November’s statistics show Russian tourists leading arrival numbers with 4,100 daily visitors, followed by Chinese (1,800), Indian (1,790), Australian (780), and British (730) travelers. The total tourist arrivals for November reached approximately 520,000, marking a 6% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
To streamline immigration procedures, authorities have implemented several efficiency measures, including reduced document scanning requirements and simplified entry stamp processes. The airport has also introduced a “Snake Line” management system and increased staffing during holidays to minimize waiting times while maintaining strict security protocols.
Monchai Tanode, Director of Phuket International Airport, revealed that during the Christmas and New Year period, the airport expects to handle 355 daily flights – 210 domestic and 144 international. Daily passenger traffic is projected to reach 60,000, exceeding pre-COVID levels by 110%. This includes approximately 40,000 international and 20,000 domestic passengers.
The airport management has also addressed recent traffic congestion issues by implementing new traffic management measures and establishing additional exit routes. These improvements include dedicated exits for domestic and international terminals, plus a connection to Nai Yang Beach and Sirinath National Park. Officials are working with local police to ensure smooth traffic flow during peak periods.
The heightened preparations reflect the government’s commitment to supporting tourism growth, particularly following the recent visa-free policy implementation for 93 countries and territories worldwide.
While facilitating smoother travel experiences, authorities maintain vigilant security measures, especially for arrivals from targeted countries, to prevent potential criminal activities.
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