Thailand expands automated immigration gates to 33 countries and territories

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has expanded access to automated passport control gates for arriving travellers from 33 countries and territories, with daily usage surging by 185.6% following the introduction of the new measures in September.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said on Wednesday (4 November) that the expansion aims to reduce waiting times, ease congestion and improve efficiency at immigration checkpoints as international passenger numbers increase.

Under Immigration Bureau Order No. 196/2026, dated 24 August 2026, eligibility for the Automated Border Control (ABC) system was expanded from two countries and territories to 33, covering travellers holding passports eligible for visa exemptions or electronic visas under specified conditions.

The expanded service, introduced on 18 September, covers the following countries and territories:

• Asia: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
• Middle East: United Arab Emirates.
• Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
• Americas: Canada.
• Europe: Greece, Belgium, Malta, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Denmark, Poland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, Norway, France, Latvia, Sweden, Hungary, Netherlands, Finland, Spain and Austria.

Travellers who register through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system will receive an email informing them whether they are eligible to use the automated immigration gates.

According to the Immigration Bureau, average daily usage increased from 744 passengers before the expansion to 2,125 passengers afterwards, representing a rise of 185.6%.

Between 18 September and 31 October 2026, a total of 94,760 foreign travellers used the automated gates.

Singaporean travellers accounted for the largest number of users, followed by those from Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

The five leading countries and territories were:

1. Singapore: 21,684 travellers
2. Hong Kong: 14,259 travellers
3. South Korea: 9,615 travellers
4. Japan: 9,538 travellers
5. Malaysia: 6,943 travellers

The Immigration Bureau, working with Airports of Thailand (AOT), has installed 39 automated gates for arriving passengers and 67 for departing passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The service is also being expanded to Don Mueang and Phuket airports.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Noppasin said the measures would help accommodate growing passenger numbers while reducing congestion and making immigration procedures faster and more convenient for international travellers.