Thailand expands automated passport gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport to 31 more nationalities by 2026

Thailand is set to broaden access to its automated passport gates at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, including UAE citizens, enhancing travel convenience and easing congestion for millions of travellers by 2026.

Thailand is set to widen access to its automated passport gates at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to travellers from 31 additional nationalities by the end of August 2026, with UAE citizens among those newly eligible, according to reports from Bernama and other regional outlets. For holidaymakers heading to Thailand, the practical effect should be a quicker arrival experience at the country’s busiest international gateway, with less time spent queuing at immigration.

The change is aimed at easing pressure on a terminal that handles about 70,000 international arrivals a day, and far more passengers overall at peak times. Thai media reports said the airport can see around 190,000 passengers daily in the high season, which has pushed officials to expand the use of auto gates as part of a broader effort to keep entry processing moving more smoothly.

For travellers, the main advantage is convenience: eligible passengers will be able to pass through automated lanes rather than relying solely on staffed counters. That should be especially helpful after long-haul flights, during busy morning and evening arrival banks, and for families or leisure travellers who want to get to their hotel, beach transfer or domestic connection more quickly. Thai authorities also expect the expansion to make millions more passengers eligible for the system, alongside holders of certain long-term visas.

Even so, the new facility does not replace Thailand’s other entry rules. According to guidance cited by the UAE authorities, visitors still need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before landing. For tourists planning a trip, the message is simple: the airport arrival process may become faster, but the paperwork still needs to be done in advance.