Suvarnabhumi to open automated channels to foreign travellers

From The Thaiger

The Immigration Bureau (IB) announced that Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s automated channels are now accessible to foreigners to alleviate congestion for outbound travel. This decision, effective from December 15, aligns with the Prime Minister’s directive, enforced by Srettha Thavasin, to enhance the outbound immigration system.

The move is aimed at reducing the density of passengers who need to rush to catch their flights, echoing the government’s tourism promotion policy.

Today, Lieutenant Police General Itthiphon Itthisanronnachai, Chief of the Immigration Bureau, divulged that the IB has developed an automated channel or an automatic passport control system for departures at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Initially, it could only check Thai passport holders, but from December 15, it will also accommodate foreign passport holders.

The automated channel system for departures at Suvarnabhumi Airport, in operation since 2012, comprises 16 machines primarily used to check Thai passengers. The process, which includes cross-checking faces and fingerprints, takes approximately 20 seconds per person. In comparison, manual checking by officers takes about 45 seconds per person.

However, foreign nationals using the automated channel system must hold E-Passports that meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which has over 70 member countries with approximately 30,000 outbound travellers daily.

In July, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited will purchase an automated channel system to replace the existing 12-year-old system at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, both inbound and outbound.

At Suvarnabhumi, about 80 machines will be installed for international departures, compared to the current 16 machines, and 16 machines will replace the existing ones for international arrivals.

At Don Mueang Airport, eight machines will be installed to replace the current four machines for international departures and arrivals. The upgraded system will be more modern, accurate, and faster.

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This is an old video dating from time when first automated gates were installed for foreigners from a limited number of countries.