Auto Gate Access Set to Widen for 31 Nationalities
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is preparing to expand its automated immigration gate system to travellers from 31 additional nationalities, following a site inspection led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun alongside Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul and senior transport officials. The measure, which is awaiting final signatures, is expected to take effect by the end of August.
Officials selected the additional nationalities using entry-refusal statistics, a country's ranking on the Henley Passport Index, and security assessments. The expansion is projected to make around 6.5 million more travellers eligible for Auto Gate use, along with roughly 900,000 holders of certain long-term visas.
Bottleneck Relief Targeted Ahead of Peak Season
Once the expanded system is fully operational, officials expect 53% of arriving passengers to clear immigration through Auto Gates, with the remaining 47% continuing through manned counters. The push comes as authorities race to ease congestion at the kingdom's busiest airport before the high tourist season later this year.
The airport has faced recurring criticism over long immigration queues during peak travel periods, and the expansion forms part of a broader push to modernise arrival processing alongside other planned upgrades at the terminal. Authorities have not yet released the full list of newly eligible nationalities, saying details will be confirmed once the measure receives final approval.
