Hong Kong SAR Passport Holders Can Now Use Automatic Channels to Enter the Kingdom of Thailand

[ubonjoe]

From this announcement on the immigration website dated September 14, 2018.  https://www.immigration.go.th/read?content_id=5b9b2a69bb837d2e41d4b93b

 

Hong Kong SAR Passport Holders Can Now Use Automatic Channels to Enter the Kingdom of Thailand

 

Effective from 15 September 2018, Thailand and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will implement the mutual use of the automatic immigration services at their respective airports. Under this cooperation, holders of Hong Kong Special Administration Region passport who travel by air will be allowed to use automatic channels to enter to the Kingdom of Thailand, while holders of Thai ordinary passports can enroll to use the e-Channel services in Hong Kong. Hong Kong SAR passport holders are allowed to use the automatic channels at Suvannabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Hong Kong SAR passport holders who wish to use the automatic channels do not need to pre-register with the Thai Immigration Office.

 

Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Visitors who wish to use Automatic Channel  Download: Eligibility To Use Auto Channel.pdf

 

 

[phkauf]

And what about residents of The Kingdom with a Non-O and Multi-Entry Visa. Oh yeah, we get nothing and like it. It's absurd they don't offer this to residents who spend the 3,900 baht for a multi-entry visa.

[ubonjoe]

18 minutes ago, phkauf said:

And what about residents of The Kingdom with a Non-O and Multi-Entry Visa. Oh yeah, we get nothing and like it. It's absurd they don't offer this to residents who spend the 3,900 baht for a multi-entry visa.

If you read the announcement you will see that it is only for 30 day visa exempt entries. If they have a visa they have to use the immigration desks. 

Someday they may be able to have it for those with visas and extensions of stay with a re-entry permit.

[thedemon]

Based on my own experience registering for, renewing and using the Auto-Channel gates, this is not going to go well.

[ubonjoe]

18 minutes ago, thedemon said:

Based on my own experience registering for, renewing and using the Auto-Channel gates, this is not going to go well.

There is no registration for those from Hong Kong. It works for them about the same way it does for Thais.

Yours for permanent residency is a lot different.

[samran]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no registration for those from Hong Kong. It works for them about the same way it does for Thais.

Yours for permanent residency is a lot different.

Not quite.

 

Once through the gates they still need to line up and get a stamp in their passport!

[Knowsitlike]

If you are PR and use the auto channel you don’t have any passport stamp, I do still use the fast track at departure as faster overall and so only have a lot of exit stamps now in my passport..

[jackdd]

15 hours ago, phkauf said:

And what about residents of The Kingdom with a Non-O and Multi-Entry Visa. Oh yeah, we get nothing and like it. It's absurd they don't offer this to residents who spend the 3,900 baht for a multi-entry visa.

If you ever read Thai laws regarding foreigners you will see that you are not a resident according to Thai laws. You are only considered a "resident" if you have permanent residency.

Everybody else (non-immigrant or tourist visa doesn't make a difference) is referred to as "temporarily permitted to stay in the kingdom" ?

[thedemon]

On 9/15/2018 at 9:07 PM, samran said:

Not quite.

 

Once through the gates they still need to line up and get a stamp in their passport!

Yeah, it's a classic isn't it? I saw this sign yesterday and almost couldn't believe it so I asked an IO nearby and he confirmed that yes, after having passport scanned, photo and fingerprint taken at the Autochannel they (HK/SG citizens) then need to go to another desk and get a stamp in their passport.

In the half hour I was waiting there, no one came for their stamp.

[OJAS]

On 9/15/2018 at 9:07 PM, samran said:

Not quite.

 

Once through the gates they still need to line up and get a stamp in their passport!

 

10 hours ago, thedemon said:

Yeah, it's a classic isn't it? I saw this sign yesterday and almost couldn't believe it so I asked an IO nearby and he confirmed that yes, after having passport scanned, photo and fingerprint taken at the Autochannel they (HK/SG citizens) then need to go to another desk and get a stamp in their passport.

In the half hour I was waiting there, no one came for their stamp.

Not so daft, I think! How could yer typical HK/SG visa-exempt national otherwise be absolutely certain of how long they could legitinately stay in Thailand for without some visual stamp in their passport? True they could count out the next 30 days on their fingers, but they could easily make an error in so doing - and, in particular, overlook the fact that their entry date counts as Day 1 of the 30 - and unwittingly find themselves overstaying as a result.

 

In any case, the immigration entry process for HK/SG nationals using the automatic gates still seems miles quicker - even with the requirement to get their passport stamped - than for us humble non-HK/SG mortals!

[lkv]

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

 

How could yer typical HK/SG visa-exempt national otherwise be absolutely certain of how long they could legitinately stay in Thailand for without some visual stamp in their passport? 

The same way I know how long I am allowed to stay in Hong Kong.

 

Hong Kong does not stamp passports, you get a small printed entry slip from the IO. For people passing through auto channels, the slip would be issued by the machine.

 

But then again, let's take it easy. TIT.