PATTAYA, THAILAND – The mayor of Pattaya met the new head of the passport office in a crisis meeting aimed at ending long queues and delays for local residents.
Mayor steps in after growing backlash
On 20 November, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet held a high-level meeting at Pattaya City Hall with Kanruthai Thit-orram, the newly appointed head of the temporary passport office.
“We were determined to make Pattaya not only a top travel destination, but also a model city for efficient public services,”
said Poramet Ngampichet, mayor of Pattaya.
The agenda focused on eliminating long waiting lines, increasing efficiency and improving coordination between the city administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
High season chaos and damaged image
During the high season, demand at the passport office regularly escalated into chaos, with foreign workers and long-term residents queuing for hours. Extended waiting times around public holidays had become routine, and the city sought to end what it saw as growing damage to its image.
Both sides agreed on faster processing times and a service “at an international level,” aiming for a system that was quick, convenient and responsive.
New passport chief promises improvements
Kanruthai, who now led the temporary passport office, pledged close cooperation with the city. She announced comprehensive improvements to operations and workflows.
“We would improve operational performance,”
said Kanruthai Thit-orram, head of the temporary passport office.
Discussions also covered staff training and the expansion of digital services, while the public was to be better informed about available services as a step towards greater transparency and efficiency.
Pattaya seeks to be a model city
Mayor Poramet underlined a broader vision to transform Pattaya from a party destination into a model for public service delivery. Improving passport services was described as a key element, with millions of foreign visitors each year expecting smooth procedures.
With the new passport chief in place, officials hoped the situation would improve noticeably in the near future, although expectations were already high.
Warning sign from Phuket
As Pattaya moved to modernize its passport office, an incident in Phuket drew attention when an Austrian national was caught at the airport with forged passport stamps and an overstayed visa. The case was cited as proof of how important correct travel documents were for authorities.
City officials argued that Pattaya’s initiative came at the right time for both residents and tourists, describing the changes as the beginning of a “revolution” in passport services that now needed to be felt by customers.