To avoid long lines, Thailand advises Indians to obtain visas from an embassy or consulate.

To avoid long lines, the Thailand Embassy in India has advised Indians to obtain visas from the embassy or consulate.

Thailand has opened its borders to tourism, and the number of passengers and tourists at Bangkok airport has increased, resulting in long passenger lines that can last for hours.

The reason for the long lines is that people are seeking immigration clearance, and the number of people applying for on-arrival visas is high.

Thailand is attracting a large number of tourists after being closed for nearly two years due to the COVID pandemic.

Thailand's Ambassador to India, Pattarat Hongtong, advised Indians on Sunday to obtain a Thailand visa from the embassy or consulate general to avoid long lines at Bangkok International Airport.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand opened its borders to all citizens, and international visitors have been complaining on social media and to Thai authorities about long lines at Bangkok International Airport for immigration clearance.

"I believe this is quite natural for any airport, not just Thai."

Nobody can predict the actual number of incoming visitors or tourists when we open the borders.

As a result, we advise Indians to obtain a visa from the Thai Embassy or Consulate General before traveling to Thailand, as this can help with things," the Thai ambassador to India told ANI.

 She also emphasized airport preparation and increasing staff, as well as how to alleviate crowding, adding that work is underway to provide the best services to international visitors to Thailand.

"We've tried to improve by increasing the number of people who work at the airport to help tourists," Pattarat told ANI.

Thailand received 3.78 million tourists from January to August 17 this year, according to a Thai government report.

 The majority of the visitors came from Malaysia, India, and Singapore.

The Thai economy is heavily reliant on tourism.

 Pattarat stated that Thailand has ordered an increase in airport staff due to the increase in waiting hours.
"Long lines for on-arrival visa applicants are another reason," she added.

 "Of course, the main reason is visa on arrival...

I'd say a long line for the two reasons of immigration and on-arrival visa, which is quite normal at first.
However, we are attempting to improve and expand our services for the benefit of people and tourists "added Thailand's envoy

Pattarat told ANI that Thailand is organizing Amazing Thailand Fest 2022 on the sidelines of the Tourism Authority (TAT) in collaboration with Team India from November 25-27 at The Mall, Saket, New Delhi, to encourage Indian travelers to visit Thailand.

 When asked after COVID if there were any plans to raise visa fees, particularly for Indians, or to make changes to the on-arrival visa, the Thai envoy said, "For the visa fee hikes.. it includes so many factors or type of visa.....aligned with many organization and ministry.... Right now we don't have any plan to increase visa fees," Pattarat added.