Suvarnabhumi airport, Thailand's largest aviation hub, is grappling with severe overcrowding, leading to extensive queues for arriving passengers. On 27/7, Vu Vu, a member of the Thailand Tourism Forum, shared images of the lengthy lines, reporting a wait of almost one hour to clear security. Other travelers corroborate the issue; one forum member described the airport as "so crowded there was no space to queue, forcing people to stand in the hallway." Vietnamese tourists have also been significantly affected, with many reporting waits of two to three hours to complete immigration procedures, particularly those arriving in the early afternoon.

Suvarnabhumi airport on 27/7. *Photo: Vu Vu*

The passenger experience has sparked widespread frustration on social media, where some foreign travelers recount waits of three to four hours for airport formalities. Online comments include jests that Suvarnabhumi deserves a Guinness World Record or a Skytrax award for the "world's longest airport queue," with many expressing relief at not being caught in the lines.

The persistent congestion at immigration and security checkpoints, particularly during peak tourist seasons, has prompted a response from Thai authorities. On 16/7, representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Transport, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Immigration Bureau, and Airports of Thailand (AOT), among other agencies, conducted an inspection to address the escalating number of complaints.

The inspection confirmed that certain areas experience regular overcrowding during daytime peak hours. To alleviate the issue, the involved parties have committed to enhanced operational coordination and outlined key solutions: integrating flight and passenger flow data; using this data to adjust staff numbers during peak hours; and expanding the deployment of biometric identification technology at passport control gates.

Thai officials inspecting the airport. *Photo: TAT*

Looking ahead, officials plan to consider expanding eligibility for automated gates in early September, specifically for passengers from low-risk markets. This initiative is expected to reduce immigration congestion by over 50%. According to Airports of Thailand statistics, Suvarnabhumi airport manages approximately 1,050 flights daily, a number that can surge to 2,500 during peak periods such as Songkran. The busiest times are typically from 9h to 11h and 16h to 19h. Projections indicate that by the end of 2026, passenger traffic will increase by 26% compared to 2025, reaching 65 million passengers, with an anticipated 73 million passengers annually by 2029.

Tam Anh (according to Bangkok Post, TAT, Thaiger)