Who gets to skip the queue? Thailand’s e-gates leave many visitors waiting
Thailand’s e-gates promise a faster arrival. But who can actually use them? BANGKOK — Thailand has installed dozens of electronic immigration gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to help travellers clear passport control faster. The automated E-gates look crisp, modern, and promising. Following recent expansions by the Thai Immigration Bureau to speed up queues, hopes were […] The post Who gets to…
Thailand's e-gates aim to speed up immigration, but eligibility is limited. Although the automated gates look modern and promising, only return travelers entering under a 30-day visa exemption can use them. First-time visitors, long-term residents, and specialized visa holders are excluded, leaving few actual users. The E-gates don't accommodate China's large tourist population or UK and US passport holders.
In reality, many travelers experience long queues despite the automated gates' potential. Prominent signage and expanding the system to major tourist source markets are needed for e-gates to be truly effective.
Written by urgent.news from Khaosod English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
