BANGKOK – Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has pushed back against online posts claiming extreme waits at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Officials say most passengers clear immigration in about 30 minutes on average, even during the year-end holiday rush. The row flared up after a Japanese tourist posted a photo of long lines at the immigration counters, prompting a burst of criticism from other travellers.

The discussion took off when a Japanese visitor shared an image showing packed immigration queues after landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The caption, written with clear sarcasm, described the experience as “amazing”. The post spread quickly on social media platforms widely used in Japan, drawing attention to what some saw as poor flow at Thailand’s main airport.

Commenters added their own stories of long waits. Several advised future visitors to allow up to two hours for immigration during peak holiday periods, saying lines can throw off plans soon after arrival. One person wrote that the delay felt worse after a long flight. Others suggested arriving prepared or using premium services to avoid the busiest lanes.

Holiday Crowds Put Pressure on Airport Flow

Suvarnabhumi’s immigration queues have been a common target online for years, especially in high season when visitor numbers jump. This latest post amplified those long-running complaints and painted a scene that did not match the easy-going image many tourists expect when landing in Thailand.

Officials said the photo was taken on a Sunday in late December 2025, one of the busiest days of the festive period. Between 1 pm and 2 pm, around 30 international flights arrived at the same time, sending about 5,700 passengers towards the immigration halls.

From 10 am to 5 pm, arrivals stayed above 4,000 passengers per hour. The daily total topped 85,000 travellers passing through the airport. The numbers highlight how quickly the terminal gets stretched during the holiday peak, when tourists and returning families arrive in large waves.

Pol Col Pongthorn Pongratchatanan, deputy commander and spokesman for Immigration Division 2, said the terminal layout can make the situation look worse than it is. The long, narrow approach to immigration can make queues seem longer at a glance. He said crowding mainly appears during short arrival surges, and added that big airports around the world face similar pressure at holiday times.

Immigration Bureau Stands by Speed and Security

As criticism grew online, the Immigration Bureau stressed that it focuses on quick processing while keeping security checks firm. Officers worked at full capacity under the “Sky Plan”, with leave suspended to cover the rush. Pol Col Pongthorn said the average processing time stayed under 30 minutes, which he described as in line with the bureau’s targets.

He also said strict screening cannot be skipped, as it supports national security. At the same time, he insisted the bureau keep queues moving as well as possible during busy periods. He said officers work hard to balance speed with careful checks, and that the overall performance supports Thailand’s reputation as a welcoming place for visitors.

The spokesman also pointed out that long waits happen worldwide during peak travel windows. He referred to a recent case where a Thai traveller reportedly waited more than eight hours at a European airport. He said photos shared online can look alarming, but do not always show how quickly lines move, or the steps staff take behind the scenes to manage the flow.

Tourism Growth Meets Infrastructure Limits

Thailand’s tourism has bounced back strongly in recent years, and Suvarnabhumi remains the country’s main entry point for millions of arrivals. The period around Christmas and New Year, followed by early-2026 travel, often brings record passenger numbers.

That demand supports the economy, but it also strains systems built for lower volumes.

Airports of Thailand (AOT) has put money into expansion work, including extra counters and biometric systems. Even so, upgrades can struggle to keep pace when arrivals spike. Travellers are still advised to have documents ready before reaching the front, and to consider fast-track options where available for premium or business class passengers.

With high season continuing into early 2026, authorities have asked travellers to stay patient. By rejecting the viral claims, the Immigration Bureau is trying to steady confidence and present the episode as a short-term surge, not an ongoing breakdown.

Japanese visitors remain an important market for Thailand, and negative posts can affect how people plan future trips. Still, some Japanese commenters mixed their complaints with praise for Thailand’s food, sights, and culture, calling the queue an annoyance rather than a deal-breaker.

In the end, social media may magnify frustration, but officials say the numbers show normal operations under heavy demand. One bureau view summed it up as a fair trade, a short wait for safe entry into the Kingdom.