Automatic passport control extended to 33 countries - Bangkok Post

Automated passport control at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Bangkok Post file photo) Thailand has expanded access to automated passport control to travellers from 33 countries and territories to speed up immigration processing, reduce queues and ease congestion at airports.

Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Nopasilp Poonsawat said the expansion covers holders of visa-exempt passports and electronic visas under an Immigration Bureau Order issued on Aug 24.

The 33 countries and territories include South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and 24 European countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Italy.

The service is available at Suvarnabhumi Airport and will expand to Don Mueang and Phuket airports. Eligible passengers are notified by email after registering for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).

Since soft launch on Sep 18, average daily use of the automated passport control has risen from 744 to 2,125 passengers, he said.

A total of 94,760 foreign travellers used the service between Sept 18 and Oct 31. Singaporeans accounted for the largest group, at 21,684, followed by visitors from Hong Kong (14,259), South Korea (9,615), Japan (9,538) and Malaysia (6,943).