Thai immigration authorities have broadened the use of fast-track lanes at the country’s major international airports to accommodate not only Chinese students and their families but also a rising number of international school holiday travellers.
Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, commander of Immigration Division 2, said the move responds to the growing influx of foreign families arriving in Thailand during the summer break, particularly from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, despite it being the country’s traditional low tourist season.
To cater to this demand, immigration officers have introduced dedicated “Happy Chinese Summer Channel” lanes at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, and Phuket airports. These lanes were initially set up to welcome Chinese students and their families during their school holidays.
According to Pol Maj Gen Choengron, Chinese student arrivals still form the largest group, averaging around 1,300 passengers daily, 600 of whom are children under 12.
However, the number of non-Chinese students and accompanying families has steadily increased, now reaching an average of 1,000 arrivals per day, including about 500 children.
“The fast lanes are now being utilised more broadly to support smoother processing for family groups visiting for tourism. Students and their families typically arrive with clear travel plans, confirmed accommodation and return tickets, and have no prior record of visa misuse or ‘visa runs’,” he said.
The initiative has significantly reduced queue times for these groups, cutting waits from a peak of 40 minutes down to just 15 minutes during busy periods. Additional priority lanes have also been made available for elderly travellers, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Feedback from travellers has been largely positive, with many praising the improved efficiency and viewing Thailand as an increasingly family-friendly destination. However, some visitors cited issues with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system, prompting plans for technical upgrades.
Thai nationals continue to enjoy expedited processing through automated passport gates and dedicated lanes for Thai passport holders, with average wait times of less than five minutes.
Despite efforts to stimulate tourism during the off-season, Pol Maj Gen Choengron stressed that national security remains the top priority.
Since January, more than 10,000 foreign nationals have been denied entry due to concerns over illegal activity or suspected links to so-called “grey” groups.
He emphasised that the fast-lane initiative is designed to support genuine tourism while maintaining robust immigration screening protocols.
