Thailand expedited immigration clearance for 33 countries including France, Digi Mart USA News: Thailand is making immigration faster for travelers from 33 countries through automated gates at Bangkok’s airport. The system allows eligible passengers to clear passport control more quickly without using traditional counters.
The Thai Immigration Bureau presented an initial assessment of the measure on November 4, 2026. The measure is intended to reduce waiting times at airports.
According to an order from the Immigration Bureau dated August 24, 2026, access to the Automated Border Control (ABC) gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport was expanded starting September 18. Previously limited to travelers from Singapore and Hong Kong, the service is now open to nationals of 33 countries and territories, 24 of them European.
The list includes France, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and Austria. Outside Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates are also included.
Several conditions must be met to use the gates. Because access is being rolled out gradually, an eligible passport is not always sufficient.
After registering their Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), travelers receive an email indicating whether they are eligible for the automated gates, subject to checks on arrival. The message displays “AUTOMATED BORDER CONTROL – ELIGIBLE” in green when automated clearance is authorized, or “IMMIGRATION COUNTER – MANUAL PROCESSING” when a standard check is required.
The TDAC remains mandatory for foreign travelers entering Thailand, except for exemptions set by the authorities. Registration is free on the official Thai immigration website.
According to Lieutenant General Nopasilp Poonsawat, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, 94,760 foreign travelers used the automated gates between September 18 and October 31, 2026. The average daily use rose from 744 to 2,125 users, nearly triple in six weeks.
Singaporeans led with 21,684 passages, followed by travelers from Hong Kong (14,259), South Korea (9,615), Japan (9,538) and Malaysia (6,943).
Suvarnabhumi Airport currently has 39 automated gates for arrivals and 67 for departures. Authorities also plan to extend the service to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok and Phuket Airport, without a final timetable having been announced.
The modernization aims to streamline checks, reduce queues and improve the welcome for international visitors, particularly during the upcoming high tourist season.
