Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

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PeteC
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Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ion-queues

App lets visitors dodge immigration queues
Published: 10/05/2017 at 04:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Immigration police are translating the hi-tech-based "Thailand 4.0" policy into their work routine by introducing a new smartphone application to help foreigners in Hua Hin manage their immigration requests.

The app, which can be easily downloaded by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code, allows users to know what queue numbers they have obtained in what are normally long lines at Hua Hin immigration office in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The Immigration Bureau has selected Hua Hin to test its new services because Hua Hin is a "world-renowned tourist district" crowded with business people and tourists mainly from Europe and the United States, said bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn as he presided over the app's debut yesterday.

Knowing how long they have to wait will help people make the most of their day without needing to sit idly in the office, officials said.

If they are not satisfied with the officers on duty, they can also use the app to grade staff members' service quality, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn added.

The app is hoped to help boost the Prayut Chan-o-cha government's "Thailand 4.0" scheme, designed to propel the country toward a fourth industrial revolution.

The country's immigration services are often overstretched, with officers busy dealing with large crowds of people. Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said new technology like this will help his agency work more efficiently.

The bureau chief rolled out the app at a new immigration office at Blue Port shopping mall yesterday. The new workplace is in a prime location that is easily accessible. It is also equipped with one-stop services so people can have all their immigration-related requests handled at a single venue.
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PeteC
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by PeteC »

...."in what are normally long lines at Hua Hin immigration office in Prachuap Khiri Khan."

"Knowing how long they have to wait will help people make the most of their day without needing to sit idly in the office, officials said."


Do people who use the place often agree with those statements? Are the lines normally long, and would the wait actually be so long the person could leave to do something else and come back later?

I can't recall ever reading on here that either was the case. :? Pete :cheers:
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by Dieter78 »

Whats the App?
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

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"Knowing how long they have to wait will help people make the most of their day without needing to sit idly in the office, officials said."
First up, if the staff were to get to work on time in place of wandering in around 09-15 am, and then chatting to their mates before doing anything constructive, it may help.
Additionally, if they were to get the Internet 90 day reporting working, it would also reduce the number of people that have to go there in the first place! :cuss:
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by Big Boy »

What happens when somebody takes a ticket, but fails to show at their allotted time? Do they have to take another number, and go to the back of the queue again?

Sometimes it may take 30 minutes or more for one person, then 5 or 6 numbers may flick over in a minute. It'll be interesting to see how smart this system is.
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by Pleng »

Nereus wrote: Wed May 10, 2017 8:25 pm
"Knowing how long they have to wait will help people make the most of their day without needing to sit idly in the office, officials said."
First up, if the staff were to get to work on time in place of wandering in around 09-15 am, and then chatting to their mates before doing anything constructive, it may help.
Additionally, if they were to get the Internet 90 day reporting working, it would also reduce the number of people that have to go there in the first place! :cuss:
Or if they just rotated lunch breaks... there's more than enough people employed there to have staggered/overlapping lunch breaks and not close the whole office for an hour every day!

I always make sure to either come early in the morning or after lunch, but what happens if you get there 10 minutes before lunch, and take a ticket?
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by Big Boy »

Pleng wrote: Thu May 11, 2017 1:34 pm I always make sure to either come early in the morning or after lunch, but what happens if you get there 10 minutes before lunch, and take a ticket?
I've done that several times, and have been on my way before lunch.
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by Pleng »

So do they see to everybody in the queue before closing?
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by Big Boy »

They have on the days I've done it. However, there was one time I turned up at 11:20, and was sent away until after lunch.

Normally, it's dead quiet just before lunch - or at least, that has been my experience. Yes, I used to get there early, or just after lunch, but found it to be worthless.

[Edit] Just realised this is about the app, so we'd better get :offtopic:
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by Homer »

This Is Thailand, so don't be surprised if it only runs on Windows Phone 8.1.
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Re: Smartphone App for Hua Hin Immigration

Post by mwbrown »

You scan their QR barcode with a QR scanner app or the one built into Line and it gives you your queue number. I tested a scan at the grand opening event but didn't follow through to see how the whole process works.
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