BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand plans to expand the use of automated passport control gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport to citizens of 31 additional nationalities by the end of August to reduce immigration congestion, government officials said on Monday. The initiative follows a site inspection led by Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and senior transport and tourism officials aimed at easing peak-hour overcrowding at the country’s main international gateway, which handles around 70,000 international arriving passengers daily.
The Immigration Bureau has approved the expansion in principle, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana. The decision considers entry refusal statistics, the Henley Passport Index, and national security factors. Once fully operational, the system will allow approximately 53% of arriving international passengers to use the automated gates, expanding eligible travelers by roughly 6.5 million people, alongside 900,000 long-term visa holders. Implementation will be phased based on equipment readiness, biometrics, and security systems. (TNA)
