Suvarnabhumi e-gates open to 33 nationalities

2 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Well you are wrong. For quite a long time now you can request a copy of your incoming and outgoing travel record from any specific period. Do you really expect they would introduce e-gates without considering that? Obviously yes, as you always think negatively.

And yes, it's free.

You're welcome.

That is an extremely time consuming way to get the arrival record if it happens to be required for something. Some other countries with auto gates either print a slip with the information or send an automated email after you pass through the gate, which gives the needed information with no need for paper forms or a trip to Nonthaburi. Obviously the gates they've installed don't have printing capability, but emails should be possible to implement if they want to move to a "stampless" future (which perhaps they don't, who knows).

14 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Anyone know why the United States is excluded? Technical reason?

Yes, Thailand was included on a 75-country list where the U.S. State Department paused immigrant visa processing starting in January

2026. Bangkok Post +1 This is why I surmise USA wasn’t included. Thailand remains on SCROTUS list. Btw the why I’m not a fan of Trump nor his corrupt administration

19 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

That suspension of processing made no sense, but it only involved immigrant visas (for permanent residence). There was no pause in the processing of nonimmigrant visas (tourist, student, etc.), and it was certainly not the case that "Trump is denying or has blocked Thai’s from entering the U.S. using a visa. He has Thailand on current ineligible list". Thais are not blocked from entering the US.

Ok whatever, I do not gplan on arguing with you here as it seems all you want to do is bicker and I have more things to do than just that with you champ. Enjoy your day

1 hour ago, cjinchiangrai said:

I am going to bet on the US not sharing biometric Passport data. I have been trying to sign up for airport facial recognition for years.

With respect to biometric data from the chip in the passport, there's nothing to "share". It's recorded using a standard format from ICAO, and can even be read by the NFC reader in your phone (that's actually part of the registration process for the THIM app). The chip in the US passport doesn't contain anything esoteric like fingerprints or criminal records, just an electronic version of what's already shown on the passport bio page, including the photo m

As for facial recognition, are you talking about the system that lets you board domestic flights at DMK or BKK by scanning your face? I've used that many times with no problem, so the US passport itself probably isn't the issue.

19 minutes ago, Bigwave12 said:

Yes, Thailand was included on a 75-country list where the U.S. State Department paused immigrant visa processing starting in January

2026. Bangkok Post +1 This is why I surmise USA wasn’t included

I guess that's possible. But the article made the point that the 33 countries included for e-gates were intended for tourists on the visa-exemption, not those applying for residency or holding other visas. My understanding of the US 75 country list was a suspension of those seeking residency in the US, not simply a ban on visitor's visas. So not exactly the same thing - still, you could be right.

This means that there's no entry-stamp in the passport?

In my 20 years there, the only time that I was ever asked to show my passport was at the airport (obviously?), the bank, or as a photo ID when renting a condo etc. I never carried it with me unless I knew I needed to at such places.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Andrew65

And from the looks of it, the Israelis aren’t exactly Thailand’s friends either. Or not anymore.

Regarding the lack of passport stamp it would seem you will get a "Visitor Permit Stamp Slip" to keep in your passport.

5 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Regarding the lack of passport stamp it would seem you will get a "Visitor Permit Stamp Slip" to keep in your passport.

Good grief. So what's the point? Why not just get a stamp? I guess it speeds things up a bit.. but you still end up with - what is effectively - a rebranded arrival card that you must keep in your passport until you leave. I guess this is to show the cops if asked?

7 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Good grief. So what's the point? Why not just get a stamp? I guess it speeds things up a bit.. but you still end up with - what is effectively - a rebranded arrival card that you must keep in your passport until you leave. I guess this is to show the cops if asked?

It's a lot different to the arrival card and it gives, for example, all the information a hotel needs to do a TM30. Lovely name though, Visitor Permit would have been just fine on it's own😅

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

With respect to biometric data from the chip in the passport, there's nothing to "share". It's recorded using a standard format from ICAO, and can even be read by the NFC reader in your phone (that's actually part of the registration process for the THIM app). The chip in the US passport doesn't contain anything esoteric like fingerprints or criminal records, just an electronic version of what's already shown on the passport bio page, including the photo m

As for facial recognition, are you talking about the system that lets you board domestic flights at DMK or BKK by scanning your face? I've used that many times with no problem, so the US passport itself probably isn't the issue.

I don't think mine has a chip, due for replacement next year. I was thinking more of an online matching. Who knows what the issue might be, but, unlike the US, Thailand is trying to improve the system.

1 hour ago, Andrew65 said:

This means that there's no entry-stamp in the passport?

In my 20 years there, the only time that I was ever asked to show my passport was at the airport (obviously?), the bank, or as a photo ID when renting a condo etc. I never carried it with me unless I knew I needed to at such places.

Correct me if necessary - I thought that ALL visitors to Thailand are required to carry their passport at all times....

8 minutes ago, GregKeo said:

Correct me if necessary - I thought that ALL visitors to Thailand are required to carry their passport at all times....

Urban myth. It should be accessible in a reasonable time and it's good to have a copy. 90% don't carry their original with them at all times.