Phuket International Airport officially launches automatic border control system

Phuket International Airport Immigration officially introduced its Automatic Border Control, or ABC, system on June 13, 2026, in a move aimed at modernizing passenger processing.

The system entered service on Saturday following a readiness inspection at 9 a.m. by Phuket Airport General Manager Monchai Tanode and Phuket Airport Immigration Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt. Col. Apha Kueakool. It has been installed at the international terminal to improve the efficiency of passport control procedures and reduce waiting times for passengers travelling through one of Thailand’s busiest international gateways.

The new system allows travelers to complete passport checks themselves using biometric technology together with electronic passports, or E-Passports. Immigration authorities said the system is intended to reduce waiting times, ease congestion at immigration checkpoints and improve passenger flow through the terminal, while providing a faster, smoother and more secure travel experience and reducing pressure on immigration staff.

According to airport officials, the first phase of the project includes 10 automated inspection lanes operating alongside 24 conventional immigration counters. Under a planned second phase, the number of automated lanes will be increased to 21 while the number of staffed immigration counters will be reduced to 16. The airport has not announced a timeline for the installation of the additional 11 automated gates.

The service is available to eligible passengers holding valid E-Passports that meet Immigration Bureau requirements. It is not available to travelers who do not hold electronic passports or to passengers who are subject to special screening or additional inspection procedures, who will continue to use conventional immigration counters.

Until now, automated gates at Phuket Airport had been available only for departing passengers, with arriving international travellers required to pass through manned immigration checkpoints. Authorities said the launch of the ABC system reflects ongoing efforts by Phuket Airport and Phuket Airport Immigration to modernize services, improve convenience, speed and efficiency in the immigration process, and enhance the overall travel experience for passengers arriving in and departing from the island.

Officials said the project would help strengthen confidence in Phuket as an international tourism gateway by providing faster and more efficient immigration services while maintaining security standards. Phuket Airport handled more than 17.4 million passengers last year, including more than 10.8 million international travellers.