Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

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buksida
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Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

Post by buksida »

Passing through airport immigration is a little swifter today for some, so long as they hail from the sparkling city-state to the south.

Singaporeans are the first foreign nationals to be approved to use new automated passport control gates at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as of Saturday.

“This will help solve the problem of crowded queues in airports,” Lt. Gen. Nattatorn Phrosoontorn of Immigration Bureau police said. “We’re using technology to tackle this problem in a concrete way.”

At the gates, a photo is taken of each passenger, their passport information collected and their fingerprints scanned. Although the service is limited to Suvarnabhumi for now, it will eventually be rolled out to all of Thailand’s international airports, Nattatorn said.


The Immigration Bureau and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working on approving other nationalities for use of the automatic gates, but no specifics have been made public yet.

What is made clear is that “high-quality” tourists, meaning those likely to spend the most, will have priority.

“Countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We will focus on countries that have high-quality tourists who visit Thailand in large numbers each year, but keeping security as the main priority,” Nattatorn said.

Nattatorn said Singapore may reciprocate and allow Thais to enter their automated immigration gates when entering Singapore as well.

The announcement comes a week after frustrated complaints were raised about miserable queues at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Hundreds of passengers were stuck at Don Mueang for four hours earlier this month, with people fainting in the lines.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/bang ... arnabhumi/
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

Post by HHTel »

Nattatorn said Singapore may reciprocate and allow Thais to enter their automated immigration gates when entering Singapore as well.
The Singapore media says it was a joint decision between Singapore and Thailand with reciprocal arrangements in both countries.
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

Post by oakdale160 »

its a beginning, better for them to test it with a small number and get it right rather than a big showy start that turns to manure.
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

Post by redzonerocker »

I went through this process at Heathrow, encouraged by the steward sorting the queues out.
Got knocked back at 3 different gates and ended up in a queue with the other refusals, which took longer than going the normal route. :?
Had it in Dublin too, so won't be rushing in for another go. :D
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

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canadian airports all done by machines, you have to see an officer. In fact if you want your pp stamped itsa hassle.
Many US airport similar screening but speeds up the officer interact time
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

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redzonerocker wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:43 am I went through this process at Heathrow, encouraged by the steward sorting the queues out.
Got knocked back at 3 different gates and ended up in a queue with the other refusals, which took longer than going the normal route. :?
Had it in Dublin too, so won't be rushing in for another go. :D
Must admit to having similar problems a few years back at Heathrow, but in all fairness have been through very quickly on numerous occassions since - hopefully that simply means the technology has improved/is improving :thumb:
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

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Going in and out of Dubai has been automatic for years using your Emirates Frequent flyer card, no photos only a finger print scan and through in two minutes.
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Auto passport controls open but only for Singaporeans

Post by Michaelpum »

Thanks for the info on Passport Control with my Thai wife. Should speed up our next trip a bit. Never knew I could.

Can I also enter country with her through Thai Immigration stations?
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

Post by Takiap »

In other countries you would both be foreigners, so both of you would have to stand in the same queues.
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Re: Auto passport controls open, but only for Singaporeans

Post by VincentD »

Have not been back since last year, so can't comment. However, having PR also means having to have the PR book stamped in Thailand as well so I am only able to use the automated gate in Singapore.

Michaelplum, if you have any form of Thai visa you should be able to stand in the same queue as your wife entering and exiting Thailand. Show it to the officers directing the queue and they can help.

Last time I looked, the automated queue for the Thais was packed as well so not much difference either way.

A lot of the delays caused by immigration is because many tourists come in without any place to stay (read pre-booking of hotel) and this seems to be enforced quite strictly.
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