In short
- Expanded service running since 18 September 2026; announced by the Immigration Bureau on 4 November 2026.
- Eligibility widened from two countries and territories to 33 under Order No. 196/2026, dated 24 August 2026.
- Open to passport holders who qualify for visa exemption or hold an electronic visa, under that status's conditions.
- 94,760 foreign travellers used the gates between 18 September and 31 October 2026.
What to do
- 1Read the email sent after you register your Thailand Digital Arrival Card: it says whether you may use the gates.
- 2Have your passport photo page ready and follow the on-screen instructions at the gate.
- 3If you are not eligible, join the staffed immigration counters as before.
- 4Do not shorten a connection on the strength of the gates alone: peak-hour queues remain possible.
What changed at immigration
Thailand has widened access to its Automated Border Control (ABC) passport gates from two countries and territories to 33, according to The Thaiger and Khaosod English, which reported the Immigration Bureau's announcement of 4 November 2026. The change rests on Immigration Bureau Order No. 196/2026, dated 24 August 2026. The expanded service has been running since 18 September 2026.
According to the same reports, the Immigration Bureau says the aim is to handle rising passenger numbers, cut congestion and speed up passport checks.
Who can use the gates?
Appearing on the list is not enough by itself. The gates are reserved for passport holders who qualify for visa exemption or who have received an electronic visa, subject to the conditions attached to that status. Everyone else keeps using the staffed counters.
- Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand
- Middle East and North America: the United Arab Emirates and Canada
- Europe, 24 states listed alphabetically: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
The simplest check happens before departure. Travellers who register through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card receive an email telling them whether they may use the automated gates, according to the Immigration Bureau. The visa and entry rules set out who qualifies for exemption or an e-visa in the first place.
Where the gates are and how many people use them
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand's main long-haul gateway, 39 automated gates handle arriving passengers and 67 handle departing ones. The same reports say the service is being extended to Don Mueang and Phuket airport.
Between 18 September and 31 October 2026, 94,760 foreign travellers used the gates. Average daily use rose from 744 passengers before the expansion to 2,125 afterwards, an increase of 185.6%, according to the Immigration Bureau.
| Passport | Travellers using the gates, 18 Sept–31 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|
| Singapore | 21,684 |
| Hong Kong | 14,259 |
| South Korea | 9,615 |
| Japan | 9,538 |
| Malaysia | 6,943 |
What does not change
Nothing changes for travellers outside the 33-country list, or who do not meet the visa-exemption or e-visa conditions: they go through the staffed counters as before. The gates are an extra route, not a replacement, and queues at peak hours remain possible.
Travelling soon? Plan around it
Build a day-by-day Thailand route that keeps flexible days where the weather and transport are uncertain.
FAQ
Questions
Do I have to use an automated gate if I am eligible?
The reports present the gates as an option for eligible travellers. Staffed counters remain open to all passengers.
Does using the gates cost anything?
The reports describe them as part of the standard immigration process and mention no separate fee.
Are the gates running at Don Mueang and Phuket?
The reports say the service is being extended there, without a date for full roll-out. At Suvarnabhumi, 39 gates serve arrivals and 67 departures.
Sources
- The Thaiger · Thailand expands automated passport gate access to 33 nationalities · Nov 6, 2026
- Khaosod English · Thailand expands automated immigration gates to 33 countries and territories · Nov 5, 2026
We cross-check each story against official pages and several media, and rewrite it in our own words for travellers.
