Immigration chief hits back: Sunday missed flight claims are rubbish

Immigration chief Natathorn Phrosunthorn has hit back at claims that more than a dozen people missed their flights on Sunday because of slow service and empty counters at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The claims were made in a Facebook video and still photography post that alleged 13 people missed flights and only 6-10 counters were open at departures.

Natathorn told reporters that the peak time rush on Sunday was totally normal for the 6am to 9am period. He said that all 18 counters were manned and that staff were taking 45 seconds to one minute to process each passenger.

He admitted that four passengers had missed their flight – but they were to blame for that. They were four Cambodian passengers leaving for Phnom Phen, he said, who got through immigration as normal but then dallied on the other side and didn’t make it to the gate on time.

Sanook.com said they had probably gone shopping or had a meal or even got lost because of unfamiliarity with the airport.

The chief reminded passengers of the need to make sure they have plenty of time – one to two hours is the recommendation – to clear all airport formalities, especially during peak times.

He said no action would be taken against the Facebook poster.

Sanook

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