Outbound foreign passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport will soon be able to utilize automated border control systems, known as eGates, to expedite the boarding process, according to Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Itthipol Itthisanronnachai.
Previously, these eGates were only available for Thai nationals, but now they will be accessible to foreigners as well. The eGates can scan each passenger’s face and fingerprints in just 20 seconds, compared to the approximately 45 seconds it takes for gates manned by immigration officers.
With Suvarnabhumi airport currently handling 50,000-60,000 outbound passengers per day, congestion can occur when there are more than 20 departures per hour. To address this, the immigration police have implemented measures to expedite the checking process, aligning with the government’s tourism policy.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, before his departure for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, expressed concerns about the slow outflow of passengers and requested the installation of eGates for outbound foreign travellers. The new eGates are specifically designed for electronic passport holders who meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
However, foreign travellers with ordinary passports, as well as children and the disabled (even if they hold e-passports), will still need to go through manned immigration gates. The implementation of eGates is expected to significantly improve the outflow of passengers from approximately 5,000 to 12,000 passengers per hour.
The machines are also capable of detecting individuals with arrest warrants, those prohibited from traveling abroad, and overstayers. It is important to note that arriving passengers will still be subject to the security checks performed by immigration officers. Immigration officials can be stationed at various gates as needed during peak travel times.
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