PHUKET, THAILAND – Tourists at Phuket International Airport reported excessively long immigration queues while unconfirmed claims circulated about a 200‑baht paid “fast track” lane.
Overcrowded queues at the airport
On 28 March 2026, travelers described long lines at the departure immigration counters. Photos shared on the Facebook page Phuket Info Center showed large crowds waiting to be processed.
Posts on the page questioned whether an unofficial, paid fast-track service was being offered. So far, there had been no official confirmation of these allegations.
High passenger numbers strain operations
The situation occurred during a busy weekend when high passenger volumes put pressure on airport operations. Reports stated that not all immigration counters were open, leading to lengthy processing times.
In some cases, airline staff intervened to escort passengers directly from the queues to the boarding gates. This was done to prevent them from missing their flights.
Long-term issues under scrutiny
Observers and social media users noted that these problems might not be new. They indicated that similar difficulties had persisted for years.
There were concerns that such bottlenecks and the alleged practices could damage the reputation of tourism in Phuket. Critics questioned the efficiency of procedures and whether staffing levels were adequate during peak travel periods.
Political attention on the issue
Broadcaster Amarin reported that the matter had now attracted political attention. Local Member of Parliament Chalermpong Saengdee, known as “Sam”, was reportedly preparing an investigation.
Complaints were submitted for debate in the House of Representatives and the parliamentary tourism committee. The aim was to clarify the facts and find solutions to prevent future disruptions.