The Immigration Division’s colonel Noppadon Ratchat explained that the checkpoint at Sungai Kolok did not have enough passport and fingerprint scanners. He continued by saying that on busy days this shortage of technology aids resulted in processing delays and lengthy queues.
The colonel added that draughting in extra staff on holidays had alleviated the problem somewhat, but the real issue was the lack of labour-saving equipment. The outcome of the meeting was an agreement to try and improve the immigration process and to ask for additional equipment and support from the relevant authorities.
The border crossing at Sungai Kolok is an alternative option to Padang Besar when travelling between Thailand and Malaysia. It is the gateway to the Malaysian town of Kota Bahru and the east coast of Malaysia.
Sungai Kolok is served by direct train services from Bangkok. These call at stations such as Hua Hin, Chumphon, Suratthani and Hat Yai en route. For those travelling all the way through, 12GO ASIA recommends booking a sleeping berth in an air-conditioned carriage as the journey takes around 20 hours.
Authorities discuss checkpoint upgrade at Sungai Kolok border post
News in Asia
The governor of Thailand’s Narathiwat Province this week presided over a meeting designed to improve procedures at the Sungai Kolok immigration checkpoint. Sittichai Sakda chaired the brainstorming session aimed at expediting processing times for international travellers crossing the southern border.