Suvarnabhumi Airport is preparing to extend its automated passport control system to travellers from 31 more countries by the end of August, as authorities seek to reduce immigration queues and improve passenger flow.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun visited the airport on Monday alongside officials from the Tourism and Sports and Transport ministries to review measures aimed at easing overcrowding in arrival areas.
Thailand’s main international gateway handles approximately 190,000 passengers per day during the peak travel season, falling to between 140,000 and 150,000 in quieter periods. Around 70,000 international passengers arrive at the airport each day.
Immigration facilities face their greatest pressure between 1pm and 5pm, when up to 5,000 or 6,000 passengers can arrive every hour. The surge places considerable strain on immigration counters, available personnel and space within the terminal.
As part of its immediate response, the airport will make greater use of all three immigration zones by guiding travellers towards areas with shorter queues.
A central hall will also be opened to distribute passengers more evenly, while additional immigration officers will be assigned during the busiest flight periods.
The Immigration Bureau has given preliminary approval for citizens of 31 additional countries to use the airport’s automated passport gates. The proposal is awaiting final authorisation and is scheduled to come into effect before the end of August.
Officials selected the eligible nationalities after reviewing immigration refusal rates, rankings in the Henley Passport Index and potential national security concerns.
The expansion could make another 6.5 million travellers eligible to use the automated system, in addition to approximately 900,000 foreign nationals holding long-term visas.
When the system reaches full capacity, authorities estimate that 53% of arriving passengers will be processed through Auto Gates. The remaining 47% will continue to undergo checks at staffed immigration counters.
Implementation will take place in stages, depending on technical readiness and the availability of biometric records.
Returning visitors whose biometric information is already registered will receive access first, while first-time arrivals will initially be required to provide their data to immigration officials.
