Phuket Airport to open automated e-passport gates in departure area

Phuket Airport Immigration has announced that a new Automated Border Channel system will officially open in the airport’s international departure immigration area.

The airport said the automated gates are intended to improve convenience, speed up passenger processing and increase efficiency at the international terminal.

According to the announcement, the gates will be available to passengers holding electronic passports, with Thai nationals able to use all available ABC channels. Travellers must be at least 120 centimetres tall to use the system.

Passengers have been told to remove face masks, glasses and hats before passing through the automated gates. Immigration officials also said pregnant passengers will not be permitted to use the ABC system, while luggage taller than 120cm may not be taken through the automated channels.

Officials advised travellers to ensure their passports are in good condition and free from covers or sleeves before use. Only one passport may be placed on the passport reader at a time, and no other items should be placed on top of the document. Passports must also have at least six months’ validity remaining, equivalent to 180 days, officials said.

Phuket Airport Immigration said the new system is expected to reduce waiting times and improve passenger flow at the airport’s increasingly busy international terminal.

At the same time, part of the international arrivals immigration area is undergoing renovation and improvement works in preparation for the installation and expansion of the ABC system. The partial closure began this week and is scheduled to continue until July 9.

Officials said the upgrades are needed to support future automated immigration processing facilities and asked passengers for patience during the construction period. Phuket Airport Immigration apologised for any inconvenience and thanked travellers for their understanding and cooperation.

The airport has not yet announced when automated immigration gates will be introduced for arriving international passengers.