BANGKOK: (Bernama) Thailand plans to expand automated passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport to travellers from 31 additional nationalities by the end of August, potentially allowing more than half of international arrivals to use the system.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said the measure has been agreed in principle by the Immigration Bureau and is pending completion of the signing process.
The expansion is expected to ease congestion at the airport which handles about 190,000 passengers daily during the peak tourism season, including around 70,000 international arrivals.
She said as many as 5,000 to 6,000 passengers an hour may enter the immigration area during peak hours between 1pm and 5pm.
The expansion is expected to make about 6.5 million additional passengers eligible to use the Auto Gates, along with around 900,000 holders of certain long-term visas.
"If fully operational, about 53 per cent of arriving passengers are expected to be able to use the automated system," she said.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, together with Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Deputy Transport Ministers Siriphong Angkasakulkiat, and representatives of relevant agencies, visited the airport to discuss measures to streamline immigration procedures and improve passenger facilities.
Lalida explained that the rollout will be phased according to equipment, security and biometric data readiness, while first-time visitors will still need to undergo biometric registration.
"The goal is not merely to shorten queues, but to ensure that the experience from the moment tourists step off the plane is convenient, fast and safe,” Lalida said.
She said the meeting also discussed expanding passenger waiting and transit areas and long-term infrastructure development to accommodate rising passenger numbers and support Thailand’s tourism competitiveness.
It was reported that from Jan 1 to July 18, Thailand welcomed about 17.36 million foreign tourists. - Bernama
