The system has been around for a month or two now but I've not seen any feedback. A lot of people here must have used the automated passport control gates for leaving Thailand.

 

The concern is for people requiring reentry permits and other complex visa issues. Clearly a tourist on a simple visa will exit without issue.

 

But what happens with those of us on visa extensions, needing reentry permits? Can the automated gates be used or must we still go to the manned immigration desks? What procedure has been set up?

 

And also, can the automated gates be used for arrival when possessing a reentry permit?

This recent thread may help (or maybe not)

 

 

40 minutes ago, retarius said:

I found it almost incomprehensible. 

 

So it seems that I overestimated the reading comprehension skills of some of the forum members. So I will lay it out with simple sentences:

 

1. A couple of months ago, several international airports in Thailand introduced automated gates for foreign passengers when leaving Thailand.

 

2. These gates speed up the process of immigration checks, because an Immigration Police Officer is no longer needed to check your passport.

 

3. This system has been in place for Thais for some time. 

 

4. It is challenging for Thailand to introduce a system for foreigners because of the various visas and visa extensions that we are on.

 

5. One particular problem, is that people with extensions to their visas require a reentry permit to re-enter Thailand using the same extension.

 

6. If they re-enter Thailand without a reentry permit, they lose their current visa, and must start the process again.

 

7. I seek anyone who has had the experience of entering and leaving Thailand with the new system, and with a reentry permit, to offer their experiences.

 

I hope this helps.

15 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

This recent thread may help (or maybe not)

 

Interesting read.

 

The failure of the issue to be resolved in that topic thread, with absolutely no one having any experience of the issue, I think this thread should be very handy.

3 hours ago, Gaccha said:

And also, can the automated gates be used for arrival when possessing a reentry permit?

 

That's the only question I can answer with confidence. Foreigners can use those automated gates for departure only. The idea was to move more IOs to arrivals as a result, so both should be smoother. 

1 hour ago, Gaccha said:

 

Interesting read.

 

The failure of the issue to be resolved in that topic thread, with absolutely no one having any experience of the issue, I think this thread should be very handy.

Well considering the last post of that thread was only 2 weeks ago you may get the same "nobody knows"

 

Anyway, if foreigners can only use them for departure (as stated above) and there's doubt over invalidating the re-entry permit, why would anyone on long term visa risk using them? Just leave them for the tourists

 

I'm wondering why should "leaving" Thailand have anything to do with re-entry permits? Those are only relevant when you "enter" Thailand.

 

You don't need a re-entry permit to leave, though you might regret that if it wasn't your intention to invalidate your current extension of stay ;) Do Officers at Exit check it as a courtesy?

24 minutes ago, al valio said:

I'm wondering why should "leaving" Thailand have anything to do with re-entry permits? Those are only relevant when you "enter" Thailand.

 

You don't need a re-entry permit to leave, though you might regret that if it wasn't your intention to invalidate your current extension of stay ;) Do Officers at Exit check it as a courtesy?

 

Some officers, on exit, will advise you that you might need a re-entry permit. However, this cannot be relied upon.

Please continue the discussion here:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1316296-suvarnabhumi-automated-passport-gates-not-available-for-visa-holders-with-re-entry-permits/