Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
National

Airport chaos as biometric system fails

Long queues of travellers build up at Suvarnabhumi airport after the biometric system of the Immigration Bureau broke down on Wednesday. (Photo supplied)

Long queues formed at Suvarnabhumi airport on Wednesday morning after the biometric blacklist system used by the Immigration Bureau broke down.

Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee said the problem began at 4.30am, when the biometric blacklist system malfunctioned. This meant a process that normally took 45 seconds took more than one minute. The automatic passport check channels at the airport also stalled, adding to the problem.

The congestion mainly affected outbound travellers. Queues built up, stretching back to the luggage examination areas, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.

Immigration officers had to check all travellers through manually and use the Advance Passenger Processing System (APPS) at Suvarnabhumi airport to assist them with the checks.

After talks with the biometric system vendor, the service was restored about 1.30pm.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.