AFTER a Facebook page highlighted very long queues at Phuket Airport’s immigration section amid rumours that tourists are being charged 200 baht to quickly go through a “special lane” some residents have asked MP Chalermpong Saengdee to raise this issue at the House of Representatives, Amarin TV said today (March 28).
The “Phuket Info Center” Facebook page published four photos of long queues at this popular island’s airport during a weekend when a large number of visitors were departing the country. With passengers having to wait for an extended period some of them nearly missed their flight. However airline ground staff assisted them in getting on the plane just in time.
Meanwhile, local residents and social media users observed that despite the large number of passengers, some service counters were not fully operational, causing slow passenger processing and potentially negatively impacting Phuket’s tourism image.
Some residents have complained about the crowded airport to Chalermpong, an MP for Phuket’s Constituency 2, requesting that this issue be raised for discussion at the House of Representatives, including the Parliamentary Tourism Committee, to investigate the facts and find an urgent solution.
Following the publication of this post, numerous netizens commented on this issue, among them are the following:
– “Go and ask people working in the area, especially those who directly speak to tourists (without them knowing [what you are doing] because no one wants to get into trouble).”
– “Everyone will say the same thing, that this is not a new problem.”
– “I’ve heard the same thing from tourists.”
– “It hasn’t ever improved, it’s been the same year after year,”
– “If this is true, who can be held accountable? Everyone knows Thai law.”
CAPTION:
Long queues at Phuket Airport on a recent weekend and its exterior. Photos – Phuket Info Center Facebook page/ Amarin TV
Also read:
Anutin II cabinet lineup to be submitted to Monarch on Monday
Nikorn tipped to replace unqualified Sudawan for Pheu Thai ministerial seat
Somsak awaits ministerial seat down to the wire
Julapun dismisses tussle over Pheu Thai cabinet seats
Constitutional Court accepts barcode/QR code-riddled polling case
Election Commission to get sued unless senatorial rigging case forwarded to court
Federation relunctantly hikes transport charges
Tour Boats at Bang Saray, Sattahip start docking as fuel prices rise
Iran allows Thai ship to pass through Strait of Hormuz
Farmers sleep overnight at petrol pumps to ensure they get fuel
Middle East war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks
NIDA Poll shows majority not planning to travel during Songkran
