Phuket Airport to Launch Automated Passport Gates to Cut Immigration Queues

Phuket International Airport is set to introduce automated passport control gates for departing international passengers on June 13, aiming to reduce waiting times and improve the efficiency of immigration procedures.

The announcement comes after widespread discussion on social media regarding long queues at immigration checkpoints and allegations that some passengers were being offered expedited processing for an unofficial fee.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesaengchan said on June 3 that the government had instructed relevant agencies to address congestion issues at the airport as international passenger traffic continues to increase.

According to officials, the new Automatic Border Channel system is designed to speed up passport verification, ease pressure on immigration officers, and bring passenger services closer to international standards.

Ploytalay emphasized that immigration procedures at Phuket International Airport operate strictly under official government regulations and that there is no policy allowing passengers to pay for preferential treatment or special access at immigration checkpoints.

On June 2, Phuket Airport Director Monchai Tanode and senior airport officials observed a trial run of the automated passport control system in the international departures area.

Airport authorities have assigned additional staff to assist travelers and help them use the new technology during the initial rollout. Only passengers holding compatible electronic passports (e-passports) will be eligible to use the automated gates.

The launch follows recent reports claiming that travelers could pay 200 baht to access a faster immigration lane. Immigration police rejected those allegations, explaining that the delays were caused by a temporary slowdown in the immigration information system during an unusually busy period of flight operations.

Officials reiterated that no paid fast-track immigration service exists at Phuket International Airport and said the congestion was linked solely to short-term technical issues.

The airport hopes the new automated system will significantly improve passenger flow as Phuket continues to welcome growing numbers of international visitors.