Relative to Memorandum Circular No. 43, s of 1991, calling the attention of all agencies regarding the Philippine Embassy's report of a number of stranded transiting workers at the Bangkok International Airport (BIA), the following information should be disseminated to all OCWs transiting through the BIA:

1. Transit/transfer passengers are allowed to stay in the airport lounge not over 6 hours while waiting for the same flight or another flight of the same airline or another airline.

2. Filipino OCWs bound for the Middle East or Europe are advised not to leave the second floor arrival area (Please refer to the shaded area in the attached BIA layout^[*] as indicated.) Transiting passengers upon arrival are required to proceed to the Transfer Desk located at the second floor before proceeding to the immigration/passport control lobby. Thereafter, the transfer desk officer shall direct them to take the stairs leading to the third floor for the departure area.

3. If passengers have to stay in the lounge over 6 hours due to flight delay, the airline personnel will coordinate with the immigration officer in supervising the passenger from the lounge to the waiting place such as restaurant, hotel, etc. However, airline personnel will keep the passengers passport and will return same to the passengers prior to their departure with no recheck-in procedure and passenger service charge.

For the guidance of all concerned.

Adopted: 24 Oct. 1991

(Sgd.) JOSE N. SARMIENTO
Administrator

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^[*] Available upon request at Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR), U.P. Law Center.