Will using the E-gates in Thailand void my tourist visa application?

Question

Hi..I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I have scrolled through and can't find it.
I have googled, and I get conflicting advice, so I hoping that someone here, who has been in the same situation can give me some advice.

I have applied for a 60 day tourist visa for a trip beginning at the start of February, just waiting to be approved.
Before that, I am also going to Thailand for a two week holiday in early December, for which I plan to use the Visa Exemption rule.

As the new E Gates are to be used only for Visa Exemption, I was going to use these gates in December, then use the Visa at a staffed immigration booth in February.

I have read a few times that I should not use the E Gates because it will automatically void my visa. Is this true?
I know I can explain the situation to an immigration officer and insist on a 30 day Visa Exemption in December, but the convenience and speed of the E Gates are so tempting, especially when you have a driver waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall.

Of course, it would have been simpler to apply for the Visa as soon as I got back from Thailand in December, but there would have been a chance that the Visa application would still be pending by the time I had to use it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is concerned about the potential risk of voiding their tourist visa application if they use the E-gates upon entering Thailand with a Visa Exemption before their planned entry on a 60-day tourist visa. They have heard conflicting information regarding whether entering through E-gates while having an active visa application will lead to complications or cancellation of the application, thus seeking advice from others who may have faced a similar situation.

James ********** · Answer

If everyone uses the egates, the manned gates will be empty,

Steve ******* · Answer

If you're worried just don't use the automated gates when you enter in December

Alan ***** · Answer

You won’t hear anything  for the February visit, it’s far too soon, their very busy with the Xmas & new year visas

Ronny ********* · Answer

The visa APPLICATION wil not be void  if your applicated on an embassy that do not require  that you stay in the country where you are applicating during the application time, it could be void if it was a requirement It is different if you already got a visa an than the use the automatic gates, than there are conflicting things in the system and you re seen as visa exempt, neither the visa will be void but you can have troubles to use that visa , the right thing to do than is to fix it as fast as possible with immigration. You can neither stay in Thailand and than automatically change to visa for that you need to reeneter Thailand Al tough it would be stupid to enter the e-gate with a visa, confirming you get on visa-free (see photo)

Brandon ************ · Answer

There are still a lot of unknowns with the auto gates.  Here's what we know:

If you have been issued a visa and you attempt to enter Thailand through a manned control gate, the immigration officer will require you to use your visa in 99% of cases.

If you enter Thailand through a manned gate and your visa has not been issued, you are not likely to encounter any issues and will probably receive your visa normally.

Technically you must remain in the jurisdiction of the embassy until the visa application is completed, so the embassy can cancel your application if they find out you left or you entered Thailand while the application is in process.

We have a report from one person who had a visa application in process who entered Thailand through an auto-gate.  Less than 24 hours later they received an e-mail from the embassy through the e-visa system stating their application was cancelled for entering Thailand.

We have warnings from some government agencies stating if you enter Thailand through the auto gates while you have an active visa, your visa may be cancelled. We have no one who has reported on this with an active, unused visa from an embassy.

Will using the E-gates in Thailand void my tourist visa application?

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