Thailand's Immigration Launches Automated Passport Control

[webfact]

 

Tourists can rejoice as the Immigration Bureau of Thailand responds to Prime Minister Setha Thavisin's policy by introducing an automated passport control system at Suvarnabhumi Airport, starting December 15th.

 

On November 14th, Police Lieutenant General Chengron Rimphadee, head of Immigration Bureau 2, discussed the progress in developing the Automated Channel at Suvarnabhumi Airport, reported Daily News.

 

This initiative aims to alleviate congestion at departure gates, allowing passengers to board their flights more efficiently. Additionally, it involves the use of technology for outbound passenger checks, freeing up immigration staff to focus more on inbound checks. This move aligns with the government's policy to enhance tourism convenience.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

As per Prime Minister Setha Thavisin's directive, the Immigration Office has been instructed to improve the existing system and introduce the Automated Channel at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

This system is designed to expedite the departure process for outbound passengers, including the implementation of technology for passenger checks. The Automated Channel, previously available only to Thai passport holders, will now be accessible to foreign travelers. In preparation for the New Year festivities, the Immigration Bureau is accelerating system upgrades and procedural adjustments to meet the December 15th deadline.

 

Lieutenant General Chengron elaborated that the expansion of the Automated Channel for foreign nationals would double the airport's capacity to handle outbound passengers, increasing from 5,000 to approximately 12,000 passengers per hour. The new system will reduce the steps involved in the departure process while maintaining security checks for wanted criminals, individuals barred from leaving the country, and those overstaying their visas.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Continuing developments include the procurement of new Automated Channel systems by the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) to replace the 12-year-old systems at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports. The installation will include 40 new machines for international departures at Suvarnabhumi, up from the current 16, and replacements for both the inbound and outbound channels at Don Mueang Airport. The updated systems promise to be more modern, accurate, and faster.

 

Lieutenant General Chengron concluded by noting the necessity of manual checks for international arrivals to ensure national security. The future installation of additional Automated Channel machines for departures will allow for increased staffing at the inbound passport control, thus accommodating the surge in passengers during peak travel periods.

 

Top Picture: Daily News

 

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[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

As per Prime Minister Setha Thavisin's directive, the Immigration Office has been instructed to improve the existing system and introduce the Automated Channel at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

How can this be as a result of the PM's directive?

An automated passport control system takes more then a couple of months to source, install and test.

Oh dear. What to believe with this now 'Chinese controlled' press.

[bamnutsak]

7 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

An automated passport control system takes more then a couple of months to source, install and test.

 

 

Date for "soft opening" is 31 July 2024, and that's today's guess. Is eight+ months enough time?

[redwood1]

Nope Nope.....I never use them and never will in the future...

[Tropicalevo]

13 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

 

 

Date for "soft opening" is 31 July 2024, and that's today's guess. Is eight+ months enough time?

 

Article states starting 15th December.

 

Quote

responds to Prime Minister Setha Thavisin's policy by introducing an automated passport control system at Suvarnabhumi Airport, starting December 15th.

 

Who to believe???

[KannikaP]

10 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Nope Nope.....I never use them and never will in the future...

Please explain why, thanks.

[bamnutsak]

7 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Article states starting 15th December.

 

My best guess is that the 15 Dec 2023 date is one in which they might allow some non-Thais to use the EXISTING automated gates (which can only be used by Thais departing)? No clue how that can or will work?

 

 

The new machines, allowing for the higher capacities quoted, will hopefully be installed by 31 July 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2023 by bamnutsak

[redwood1]

1 minute ago, KannikaP said:

Please explain why, thanks.

 

Sir if there is ever a problem with the flight or luggage it's the airline's problem if THEY checked you in......

 

If you check yourself in and there is a problem....Well.....

[KannikaP]

3 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

 

Sir if there is ever a problem with the flight or luggage it's the airline's problem if THEY checked you in......

 

If you check yourself in and there is a problem....Well.....

OK thanks. Good point.

[HampiK]

20 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

 

Sir if there is ever a problem with the flight or luggage it's the airline's problem if THEY checked you in......

 

If you check yourself in and there is a problem....Well.....

This is not about airplane, laguage! .... it's about passport check, when leaving.
 

[Enoon]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

 

Sir if there is ever a problem with the flight or luggage it's the airline's problem if THEY checked you in......

 

If you check yourself in and there is a problem....Well.....

 

It's not ticket/baggage check-in.....the airlines job.

 

It's:

 

"Thailand's Immigration Launches Automated Passport Control"

 

 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2023 by Enoon

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

Nope Nope.....I never use them and never will in the future...

It might be your only option in the future.

[FritsSikkink]

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

Sir if there is ever a problem with the flight or luggage it's the airline's problem if THEY checked you in......

 

If you check yourself in and there is a problem....Well.....

This isn't about luggage check in by the airline but about automatic passport control by immigration.

[Conquerbrqvilok]

Where is the gate of work permit and non-O holders? it doesn't make sense we queue up with tourists

[HuaHinHim]

Why can’t they have them for arrivals as well. Long overdue. 

[Conquerbrqvilok]

2 minutes ago, HuaHinHim said:

Why can’t they have them for arrivals as well. Long overdue. 

Because they won't everyone who arrive can enter , what we hope also they start iner flights from Hua hin airport 

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Additionally, it involves the use of technology for outbound passenger checks, freeing up immigration staff to focus more on inbound checks.

In other words a helpful tool for corrupt officials fleeing to Cambodia...

[Don Chance]

If you fail passport control or overstay a robot will come out and shoot you with a laser

[Jumbo1968]

So if you are on overstay you just use the automatic gates also you will be leaving Thailand with out an exit date stamp or am I missing some thing ?

[neeray]

Will this be the next U-turn? Maybe by Friday?

[Guderian]

Meanwhile, at Arrivals....

 

[Cabradelmar]

This is a good thing. Good for departures. Korea uses similar technology. And it/this has nothing to do with arrivals. The fact they give the PM credit is because the PM has done nothing worth taking credit for, so this is is just manufactured praise. 

[malibukid]

how about Don Muang?

[DJ54]

9 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

This is a good thing. Good for departures. Korea uses similar technology. And it/this has nothing to do with arrivals. The fact they give the PM credit is because the PM has done nothing worth taking credit for, so this is is just manufactured praise

Yes used my last trip from Seoul very easy and keeps things following..

 

[DJ54]

14 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

So if you are on overstay you just use the automatic gates a

You won’t get clearance to proceed and I’d guess someone will check ….

and you’d be on the hook…

[khunjeff]

14 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

This is a good thing. Good for departures. Korea uses similar technology.

 

Hong Kong as well.

[Gandtee]

4 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Nope Nope.....I never use them and never will in the future...

Don't know how to and at ninety doubt I ever will know.

[hotandsticky]

I applaud the initiative.

 

 

Immigration has, for some time, been getting their act together.

 

The haters will always hate.

[samtam]

25 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Meanwhile, at Arrivals....

 

 

My last trip in and out of Suvarnabhumi was like this at both departure and arrival. About an hour plus each time, and another 30 minutes plus for security clearance on departure.

Edited November 15, 2023 by samtam

[samtam]

39 minutes ago, Conquerbrqvilok said:

Where is the gate of work permit and non-O holders? it doesn't make sense we queue up with tourists

 

Yeah, the tax residents....