Thailand Delays Automated Entry System for Foreign Tourists

[webfact]

 

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that the launch of the nation's highly anticipated automated entry system for foreign tourists has been postponed. Initially scheduled to roll out in December 2024, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system's debut has yet to be determined due to ongoing coordination with relevant agencies.

 

The ETA system aims to simplify immigration processes for international visitors by allowing tourists from 93 visa-exempt countries to register online before arriving in Thailand.

 

These travellers would then receive a QR code upon registration, enabling them to pass through automated immigration gates effortlessly. The ETA system is part of Thailand's broader strategy to transition towards a fully electronic visa system.

 

Despite the delay, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the ETA system. It stated that it is currently working closely with other government agencies to finalise the necessary details and ensure the system operates smoothly upon its eventual launch.

The postponement comes as Thailand continues to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with tourism being a critical sector for the nation's economy.

 

Streamlining entry procedures through tools like the ETA system is seen as crucial for attracting more visitors and boosting tourism revenue, reported The Nation.

 

For now, travellers planning a trip to Thailand should stay informed by keeping an eye on updates from the Foreign Ministry and the Immigration Bureau. These agencies will provide the latest information on the ETA system's new launch date and any interim travel procedures that might be in place.

 

In summary, while the introduction of Thailand's ETA system is delayed, its importance in facilitating smoother and faster entry for foreign tourists remains clear. The Thai government continues to work diligently to bring this system online, aiming to enhance the overall travel experience for millions of international visitors annually.

 

TOP File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-09-25

 

[sungod]

Be nice if they could do something for those who work/live here first.

[findlay13]

Open more  immigration lanes

for a start. Just a thought 😗

[ChrisY1]

Thought it may have been too good to be true..."coordination with relevant agencies".....well....there's the major stumbling block word....coordination!

[Jerry777]

They aren't  to get much use if nobody can afford to take a holiday here.

[Patong2021]

7 minutes ago, Jerry777 said:

They aren't  to get much use if nobody can afford to take a holiday here.

 

But they can, just that they are coming from Russia, China, India, and the Middle East & Iran.

[Rolo89]

The EU is already 3+ years late on their system.

 

They should let people with long stay visas use the egates system first.

[mfd101]

Yawn, wake me up when it's ready.

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

These travellers would then receive a QR code upon registration, enabling them to pass through automated immigration gates effortlessly. The ETA system is part of Thailand's broader strategy to transition towards a fully electronic visa system.

So will it be necessary for everyone to have a smart phone ?

ETA is a stupid name for it anyway IMO, ...It has always stood for Estimated Time of Arrival, until now.

[JimHuaHin]

This is not rocket science, nor is it quantum mechanics, it is relatively easy to do IF the computer systems/programmes have been set up in a way that they can communicate with each other effectively.

 

Clearly, this is a "problem".  Maybe it is time Thailand tendered more contracts to foreign computer experts to solve the problem.

 

This article gives me hope that the implementation of the proposed taxation of foreign incomes will not be effectively implemented any time soon, at least not in my lifetime.

[Jerry777]

13 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

But they can, just that they are coming from Russia, China, India, and the Middle East & Iran.

All those currencies have lost significantly to the Baht since June, Russia leads the charge at 17%

[watchcat]

29 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

So will it be necessary for everyone to have a smart phone ?

 Sounds like it, but I'll never get one, still have an old Nokia works for me.

[brianthainess]

8 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 Sounds like it, but I'll never get one, still have an old Nokia works for me.

We seem to be in the minority now, people that use phones to actually make and receive calls, pay by cash, and use an ATM card........

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

These travellers would then receive a QR code upon registration, enabling them to pass through automated immigration gates effortlessly.

 

2 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

We seem to be in the minority now, people that use phones to actually make and receive calls, pay by cash, and use an ATM card........

Totally agree.

I worked in software development for 30+ years.

No way would I put most of the apps that Thailand touts on my phone.

I do not even have the wifi switched on.

I was talking to some guys who worked on the WhatsApp software and they agreed with me.

Unfortunately, they HAD to use it.

Many young guys in software development say the same thing - minimum apps.

[Tropicalevo]

6 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

We seem to be in the minority now, people that use phones to actually make and receive calls, pay by cash, and use an ATM card........

The funny thing is that as soon as one goes abroad, they have to use cash and the ATM card!

Isn't progress wonderful.

[khunpin]

"... due to ongoing coordination with relevant agencies." 

 

Thai way trying not to say that they were too ... to set it up and get it properly working. 🤦🏼‍♂️

 

Like the world-famous "break failure" in accidents. Never the driver's fault. No. Fault of the breaks. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[Maitdjai]

...and the clown-show, about elusive dreams doesn't stop.

[Sydebolle]

Good luck with that one - in a country where hardly any local IT-application works, be it governmental like revenue department, immigration etc. or a private business site full of bugs and dead links. 

[LudwigK]

CAN IT BE....

it has something to do with INABILITY ???

 

[metisdead]

A post using a foreign language has been removed as this is an English language forum:

16. English is the only permitted language anywhere on ASEAN NOW, except within the Thai language forum, where using Thai is allowed. Short Thai translations of technical terms are permitted in specialty forums. While we make allowances for members who do not speak English as their first language, we expect everyone to make an effort to post in a manner that allows others to understand their posts. As an international forum we have members from many countries in the world, and English is not the first language of every poster.

[Caldera]

That doesn't surprise me at all, starting to roll this out in peak season would have been madness.

 

Some damage has been done though, as some foreign media have reported on this slightly distorted (along the lines of Thailand getting rid of visa exempt entries, as pre-approval will be required for travel).

[ThaiFelix]

4 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

This is not rocket science, nor is it quantum mechanics, it is relatively easy to do IF the computer systems/programmes have been set up in a way that they can communicate with each other effectively.

 

Clearly, this is a "problem".  Maybe it is time Thailand tendered more contracts to foreign computer experts to solve the problem.

 

This article gives me hope that the implementation of the proposed taxation of foreign incomes will not be effectively implemented any time soon, at least not in my lifetime.

I dont imagine its easy to train a machine to take and re-distribute bribes efficiently??

[harryviking]

8 minutes ago, Hummin said:

The good thing with alcohol, 

 

🧐🌝😜

🙄

[Cabradelmar]

Thailand is incapable of automating anything elegantly... their IT skills are on the dark ages. 

[harryviking]

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

So will it be necessary for everyone to have a smart phone ?

ETA is a stupid name for it anyway IMO, ...It has always stood for Estimated Time of Arrival, until now.

Then soon we will have to send an ETD, estimated time of departure!!

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that the launch of the nation's highly anticipated automated entry system for foreign tourists has been postponed. Initially scheduled to roll out in December 2024, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system's debut has yet to be determined due to ongoing coordination with relevant agencies.

[watchcat]

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

The funny thing is that as soon as one goes abroad, they have to use cash and the ATM card!

Isn't progress wonderful.

 

No, but greed is

[mran66]

6 hours ago, sungod said:

Be nice if they could do something for those who work/live here first.

 

Why would they bother to make pathways easier to reach the trap for those in trap already... 

 

[arick]

Start with getting rid of the slow b****** in Don mong

[bradiston]

The departure automatic gates are working at BKK. Just scan your passport and you're through.