Will Thailand implement automated entry lanes for visa holders like they have for exit?

Nov 11, 2024
a month ago
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Exited BKK to Singapore with new automated machines. This saves me a stamp. And I fly in and out Thailand 2 times a month so that’s 48 stamps per year. Now that will be halved so slowing down a passport replacement. I wonder if they will have these on entry?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The introduction of automated immigration gates at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) for departures has provided convenience for frequent travelers who exit and re-enter Thailand multiple times a month. However, questions remain about the availability of similar automated systems for re-entry, especially for those holding visas. Current information suggests that these automated lanes will initially be available for visa-exempt entries once the ETA system is implemented. There are no confirmed plans for visa holders to access the automated lanes in the near future. Discussions among community members reveal various concerns and experiences related to the automated gates, including the requirement for stamps at entry and check-in processes at hotels.
THAILAND ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ETA)
William **********
yes they are good
Wade *********
I liked the stamp stage
Ian **********
They've delayed the entry gates for non-Thais twice but I think the online registration for vis-exempt entries will change that. They did say the online registration will now start in Dec/Jan
Joel *******
That's good. I've always appreciated how Singapore doesn't do passport stamps, it's all electronic. Let's hope other countries like Thailand follow suit.
David **********
Under the old system of entry and exit stamps, I filled up my passport in 5 years. Hopefully, my current passport will last the full ten years by saving Thai exit stamps, entry and exit in Malaysia and Singapore, and stampless entry and exit in Macao and Hong Kong.
John-Paul ******
Good question! Yet I am sure there is an good answer... perhaps like everything else here in the Kingdom... "I have no idea. It just works!"
David ******
Can anyone respond to this question: When checking into a hotel, they ask for your passport to photocopy the picture page and the Entry Stamp page. For those without a stamp page, are the hotels overlooking that now?
Joel *******
@David *****
almost certainly not. I got explicitly asked for this in September
Arjun ********
This is not for international arrivals. You will still be stamped.
Graham ********
I have retirement visa yet when I left last week immigration officer said no problem and I was guided to exit electronic gates. All will be undoubtedly be stored electronically. Find out on reentry in a few weeks whether any problems. Hope all goes smoothly.
Danny *******
Does any one use a Singapore bank to pay for items via qr scan in Thailand ? Been tough to get a bank in Thailand but I’m already applying Singapore bank and was curious is this could solve the problem , chat gpt said it could 😁
Jo **********
@Danny ******
I have UOB sg and use the app for Prompt Pay here. It works 99% of the time if the restaurant/shop uses one of the big thai banks for Prompt Pay QR codes. UOB sg also let's me transfer money to my thai friends using their phone number
Danny *******
@Jo *********
good to know thanks
Ally ************
@Danny ******
You can use SG bank debit card to make payments in Thailand.. provided you have activated the card for overseas use.. which avoids the need for QR application.
Dava ********
So you have to go on website and get bar code for travel to Bangkok thanks
Coby **********
These Electronic gates are awesome except for the fact that visa applications often still ask for evidence of a stamp. I look forward to the requirements/processes for the embassies catching up with the electronic gates.
Derek **********
Same with Malaysia. No stamps at all on entry or exit with the caveat that you MUST do the MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrivals Card) before hand. I done this recently and seen those that did not have their MDAC and proof of it (via print out or smartphone copy) were directed to the regular immigration check point.

Can anyone confirm if travelling to the Phillipines on a UK passport will take up space on the passport via a visa and/or entry and exit stamps?
Aye ****
@Derek *********
I recently went to the Philippines with a US passport and they stamped my passport. They make you fill out a form online as well before going through the immigration line.
Derek **********
@Aye ***
Thank you, appreciated 🙂
Dennis *********
How you use the fast track when exiting BKK
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dennis ********
there are big signs indicating location I use fast track every time because I have LTR
Dennis *********
@Jo *********
you need to register online
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dennis ********
no I never registered
Dennis *********
@Jo *********
so why would anyone go to regular line if everyone can fast track
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dennis ********
?? not everyone you must show your LTR or Elite visa or a boarding pass that is business class or first class
Dennis *********
@Jo *********
ok I don’t meet that requirement
Duncanc **********
Malaysia also has it
Mary ****
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Nathan **********
They have them in Australia to
Markus **********
Flying out 2 times a month is 24 stamps not 48?
Jargalsaikhan ********
@Markus *********
in and out stamps 2x12x2=48
Markus **********
@Jargalsaikhan *******
they only do it on the out? As he finished with the question: I wonder if they will have this on entry
Lee-Ann *******
I hate this, every time in Perth and Singapore, because I have to remove my glasses to do I it, I'm blind as a bat without them and fail every time because of it and end up having to go to a person anyway, just a waste of my time and holds up people behind me waiting
Roman **********
@Lee-Ann ******
5 seconds to remove glasses vs 1 minute the manual way, more if you have a more complex passport to process
Lee-Ann *******
@Roman *********
yes but once I remove my glasses I can't see properly at what I'm supposed to be doing and fumble doing it and get errors every time and end up having to go to a person to do it anyway, I take it you don't have eyesight issues and don't understand the frustration of it all
Mainak **********
@Lee-Ann ******
Exactly the same here
J ******************
Exited BKK in August through automatic gates with re entry permit returned October still had to re enter the old way but being over 70 could go through Thai gate with my Thai wife so still got a stamp but avoided long line up
Shannon ********
What airport?
Shannon ********
Yea, Must be suvernabhum.. just went through dmk
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Philip *********
@Shannon *******
bkk by the looks of it
Will ******
That's a good point and thanks for posting. Going to Cambodia is costly on page space and any way to reduce that etc is welcome
Robert **********
@Will *****
....I think you can get a E visa 0nline now. So no visa in your passport.
Shane ************
@Will *****
does Cambodia take a whole page with a sticker like Vietnam? Can’t remember but I am able to peel the Vnam one off after I leave
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Will *****
exactly
Brandon ************
They will be available for entry at some point. The only thing we know so far is that once the ETA system is active for visa exempt entries, that those with an active ETA will be able to enter using automated lanes.

No mention of anyone with a visa being able to use automated entry lanes, and I doubt it will happen any time soon.
Marko *********
@Brandon ***********
I am wondering, how they plan to control people with a lot of entries with visa exemption then. Or people who spend a lot of time in Thailand in one calendar year.
Brandon ************
@Marko ********
they will just deny their ETA
Marko *********
@Brandon ***********
sorry,what is ETA?
Brandon ************
@Marko ********
electronic travel authorization
Marko *********
@Brandon ***********
Actually that was my question,maybe I was not clear at the beginning.

So before this automatic gates,each immigration officer could make decision to let you in or not let you in. If automatic gates will make that decision by itself,means we can clearly know which criteria we have to meet to enter without drama or additional questioning.
Brandon ************
@Marko ********
It will likely still be an immigration officer that is making the decision on the ETA. So you'll know if you are allowed to enter before you travel to Thailand yes, but you'll still be at the mercy of an immigration officer same as now.
David ********
@Marko ********
they won't it will be free for all as it is now. You can come and go as you like if you are a resident of another country
Garry ******
@Brandon ***********
In Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia, ASEAN citizens and others who have filled out eVISA online could use auto gates to enter and exit.
John *******
@Garry *****
incorrect if foreign visitors to bali who have nline evisa can enter through egates yes but on departure when leaving Bali you still pass through immigration on exit and passport is stamped at that point there is no egates for exit
Garry ******
@John ******
I'm Indonesian who travelled frequently with my foreign colleagues, but I guess you know more.
John *******
@Garry *****
didn't say i know more my partner works in Surabaya and Bromo I live there for 6-9 months of the year we just returned to Australia for a few weeks for business Saturday just gone and there is no egates for exit of Bali you still pass through immigration and your passport is stamped on departure for your entry online evisa and egates is entry only at this present time
Elías ********
@Brandon ***********
in Korea it's the opposite, only people with an alien registration card (issued to foreigners residing with any valid visa for more than 90 days) can use the auto entry doors, while tourists with K-ETA need to do it trhu a counter. I thought it would be the same here, as an ETA doesn't really guarantees entry, while having a visa kindda does especially the non tourist visas.
Özkan *******
@Brandon ***********
the immigration officer told us we cannot use this system either with DTV. I guess that’s right then.

If you are visa exempt, do you need to calculate your own exit date, don’t you? Wondering if this will not lead to overstay issues in the future
Declan **********
@Özkan ******
a lot of countries have automated gates now. It's down to the person to make sure they know the rules and when to leave. If someone ends up overstaying they only have themselves to blame. It's not hard to calculate dates and set reminders
David ********
@Declan *********
how true are we that reliant on someone writing in a date. Come on people take some responsibility for yourself people.
Brandon ************
@Özkan ******
automated entry doesn't exist right now. Just follow the stamp in your passport to know when your permission to stay ends.
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Özkan ******
anyone upon exiting can.
Özkan *******
@Jo *********
we were told to get an exit entry next to the DTV stamp. Not sure if that’s right or wrong
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Özkan ******
not wrong but I have similar visa and they said it works independently of visa. So it worked however DTV maybe different
Wiz *******
@Jo *********
I have DTV and just exited BKK via auto gate. Super quick, no issues.
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
as usual you have a solid logical response agree. Although I have a work resident permit in Singapore and no stamps. I hope this will happen
Brandon ************
@Jo *********
so they did get the automated gates in fast track finally?
Mary ****
@Bra****
We just landed & went thro APEC fast track still same, no automated channel yet
Brandon ************
@Mary ***
we're talking about exit. There are no plans for automated entry for anyone at this point.
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
yes I knew you would say but you as an LTR you should know this
Brandon ************
@Jo *********
I'll keep an eye out for them when I leave Thailand in January
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