In a notice posted on the Phuket Immigration Facebook page, officials confirmed that from Feb 14 foreign nationals will no longer be able to submit 90-day reports via the Drive-Thru facility.
Foreign nationals are instead advised to report online via the Phuket Immigration website, or in person inside the Phuket Immigration Office, or at the Patong Immigration Office or Blue Tree Immigration Office.
Phuket Immigration Chief Pol Col Khemchart Wattanapakasem could not be reached for comment.
However, Immigration Inspector and secretary to the chief Pol Lt Col Laddawan Waenkaew said the closure is linked to improvement works aimed at easing traffic congestion in front of the immigration checkpoint and upgrading service facilities.
“The Drive-Thru service will close for maintenance and improvements. We still do not know when it will reopen,” Pol Lt Col Laddawan said.
She explained that the project will also include upgrades to internal systems to improve service speed and convenience, while reducing traffic back-ups outside the checkpoint.
Pol Lt Col Laddawan said there is currently no confirmed timeline for completion of the works and that “budget details cannot yet be disclosed”, as the e-bidding process has not been announced.
Phuket Immigration said it will announce any updates on the Drive-Thru service once further information becomes available.