Two automated gates at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport have been reserved for Singaporeans entering the country.

These automated gates will ease Singaporeans through immigration in shorter times.

First in the world

The Immigration Bureau of Thailand announced on Saturday, Aug. 19, that Thailand has begun using automated gates for immigration checks for Singaporeans, who are the first in the world to be allowed to use it.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore shared the news on Facebook:

There is no need to register in advance to use the gates.

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Thais will get to use Singapore's gates soon

Other countries will be considered "in the near future", the Royal Thai Embassy post said.

Singapore is given this privilege based on an analysis of security and on a reciprocal agreement.

Singapore is now considering allowing Thai nationals to use its automatic gates as well, it said.

The automated gates can also verify passengers' identities by linking to airlines' check-in systems.

Here is the Facebook post in full:

Singaporeans to be allowed to use Automated Gate (Auto Gate) to enter the Kingdom of Thailand

On 19 August 2017, the Immigration Bureau of Thailand has announced that Thailand now starts using Auto Gate to perform immigration check for foreign visitors to enter to the Kingdom of Thailand by air.

Singapore is the first country to be allowed to use this Auto Gate at Suvarnabhumi airport. The Immigration Bureau of Thailand will consider adding other countries to the list for the Auto Gate in the near future.

Singapore Travellers who wish to use the Auto Gate do not need to do preliminary register with the Thai immigration office. At the Auto Gate, the system will record passenger information and fingerprints for identification on subsequent trips. It can also be linked to airlines' check-in systems to verify passengers' identities.

The Auto Gate is reserved for visitors only for tourism purpose (a 30-days visa Exemption scheme). For other purposes of visit, visitors need to apply for visa and go through the regular immigration checking process.

The Immigration Bureau of Thailand stated that the decision to use the Auto Gate was based on an analysis of security and on a reciprocal agreement, as Singapore is now considering allowing Thai nationals to use its automatic gates.

In the initial stage at Suvarnabhumi, two automated gates will be reserved for Singaporeans. The bureau will consider using the system at other airports including Don Mueang, U-tapao and Phuket.

The Auto Gate could speed up immigration processing by reducing the waiting time in queues as well as solving the problem of airport congestion and reduce the burden on staff.

Royal Thai Embassy

19 August 2017