New Immigration Chief Begins Duties at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Police Lt. Gen. Nopasinp Punsawat began his tenure as Immigration Bureau Commissioner with a visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport, ordering strict screening to combat transnational crime while assisting passengers affected by flight cancellations and lost luggage. He also announced an expansion of automatic passport gates to more nationalities and stressed the need to balance security with welcoming tourism.
On October 1, 2069, Police Lt. Gen. Nopasinp Punsawat, newly appointed Immigration Bureau Commissioner, visited the Suvarnabhumi immigration checkpoint accompanied by Police Maj. Gen. K thathor Khamthiang, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Division 2. They inspected officer readiness and followed up on assistance for passengers affected by flight cancellations and stranded luggage after numerous flights were cancelled on September 28–29.
Immigration Division 2 coordinated with Airports of Thailand (AOT) and other agencies to set up a One Stop Service point in the immigration area to facilitate immigration procedures for passengers wishing to cancel travel, and to track baggage issues and advise affected individuals.
The commissioner urged officers to be ready to help the public, provide accurate information, and closely coordinate with the airport, airlines, and responsible authorities to resolve problems quickly, while maintaining strict and efficient screening of persons entering and exiting the country.
He emphasized checking individuals suspected of involvement in human trafficking and online fraud schemes, distinguishing honest travelers, potential victims, and offenders, to provide assistance and protection to victims and prevent offenders from using Thailand as a base or conduit for transnational crime.
He then inspected the automated passport channel (ABC) service, which has been expanded to allow foreigners from an additional 31 nationalities/territories (in addition to Thai nationals) to use it, up from the previous two, to reduce waiting times for inbound passengers through technology-supported operations alongside screening standards.
The Immigration Bureau chief stressed that security and tourism must go hand in hand: honest travelers should receive convenient, swift, and courteous service, while those involved in crime must be seriously investigated to build confidence among visitors from their first step into the country.
