Are there automated passport scanning devices for entry in Thailand now?

Don Smith Mobile coverage is excellent in Thailand, only in some remote areas it's not so good. Regardless, this is the system Thailand is moving towards.

Don Smith That is why the e Gates is only open for those who already give biometric data to immigration before and the e gates on arrival will have same requirements as mentioned in the news from immigration and would fir for long term residents.

RadiantCamel1017 Try doing that in areas with no mobile phone coverage, or during a power cut.

The beauty of a stamp in a passport is that it can be verified at any time by anyone in seconds. To have to do it online may not be very practical as I mentioned.

Don Smith It's very practical. They already have an online system in Cambodia. I don't particularly like where this is going but to suggest it's "not practical" isn't exactly true when you can go to a website or app (perhaps THIM) and check the credentials of the traveler.

@Brandon ***********

Probably won't take nearly that long, but you're right, not yet. I expect it will work with visas starting in 1-2 years from now.

@Brandon ***********

why?

@Brandon ***********

It seems much more likely to me that it will be the other way around.

As a non-O visa holder with a yearly extension (and re-entry permit) I already have a valid permission-to-stay stamp in my passport. Adding another stamp on re-entry serves no purpose at all, and anyone (bank, hotel, police) looking at my passport can easily see at any time that I am legal. So using an e-gate for re-entry would be perfect for me, just like using the e-gate for departure was a month ago.

But if visa exempt travellers go through the e-gates on arrival and get no stamp, no one can tell from their passport whether they are legal or not. The only way to tell would be some sort of online check which is not always very practical.

Chris Blunt ... yeah... considering ePassports are the same planetover

@Chris ******

which is what I said. Those people can use the automatic gate as long as they are entering visa exempt, as long as they've entered through a manned gate within the last year, and as long as they're using the same passport as the last time they entered. That's exactly how it's going to be for the new countries they add. They're just adding passports to the list.

@Ole **************

nothing has to be calculated for departure. But those entering with a visa and especially a re-entry permit are far more complicated

@Brandon ***********

Hong Kong and Singaporean tourists have been able to use e-gates for over a year now, so if it can be done for them, it should be possible for others too.

@Brandon ***********

It will be fine, just as it is on departures, i used the automated gates since they open around 2 years ago and i had my temporary extension of stay last 17 years with reentry. I cant see any problems use it on inbound as well because today all is electronic.

Bob D'Andrea my ones different.

@John *********

basically the Europe, some Asian countries and Australia.

Ah maybe you refer to visitors on visa exempt or also with a valid visa.

People who have registered their biometric data at a previous visit starting with long term visa (extension) holders.