From June 13, 2026, the international departures area of Phuket Airport will have automated passport gates — the ABC system (Automatic Border Channel). Eligible passengers will clear passport control on departure on their own, without an officer at a desk: place a biometric passport on the reader, look at the camera for facial recognition, and walk through. The aim is to noticeably cut queues during the high season.
The key thing to know before you fly: the gates are open to foreign tourists, not only Thai nationals. There are three conditions — a biometric passport, a minimum height of 120 cm, and at least 6 months of passport validity. Below is how the system works, who qualifies, and what travellers arriving in Phuket this summer should keep in mind.
What the ABC system is and why it matters
ABC (Automatic Border Channel) gates read the data stored in a biometric passport’s chip and match it against the traveller’s face. It is the same principle long used at airports in Australia, the UK, the UAE and Singapore. No officer stamps the passport by hand — the system does it automatically.
Why Phuket needs it. The island’s airport is one of the busiest in Thailand, and passport-control queues stretch out at peak times. Automated passport gates relieve the pressure: travellers with a qualifying passport clear in seconds, while staffed desks handle everyone the gates can’t process. Everyone benefits.
Note: at launch, the system runs on departures only from the international zone. On arrival, passport control is still handled the old way, at a staffed counter.
Who can use the automated passport gates
To use the ABC gates you must meet several conditions at once. Miss any one of them and you’ll be directed to a regular counter.
You can use the gates if you have:
- a biometric (electronic) passport with an embedded chip — the cover usually shows a small rectangular icon with a circle inside;
- at least 6 months (180 days) of passport validity on your departure date;
- a height of 120 cm or more — a limitation of the facial-recognition system.
You cannot use the gates if you are:
- a child or passenger under 120 cm tall;
- pregnant;
- a holder of an older, non-chip passport.
Good news for tourists: there is no nationality restriction. If you hold a modern biometric passport, the gates are open to you on the same terms as Thai nationals. And if you don’t qualify, no problem — the staffed officer desks are still there.
How to clear the ABC gates, step by step
The process takes under a minute, but it’s worth preparing so you don’t hold up the queue.
- Remove accessories. Take off your face mask, hat and glasses before the gate, or the camera won’t recognise your face.
- Take the passport out of its cover. Place the document on the reader with no sleeve, cover or stickers, and nothing else on the page.
- Place the passport on the reader. One document at a time — families go through one by one, each with their own passport.
- Look at the camera. The system matches your face against the photo in the chip.
- Walk through the gate. Once verified, the doors open automatically.
If the gate doesn’t let you through (the chip didn’t read, or the face didn’t match), don’t worry: staffed counters nearby will process you manually. Cabin baggage taller than 120 cm isn’t allowed through the automated lane either, so take larger items to a regular counter.
What arriving travellers should know in summer 2026
Here’s the most practical detail. The arrivals immigration area for international flights is partly closed for renovation until July 9, 2026, as the infrastructure for the ABC system is prepared there. So expect possible temporary queues on arrival in summer 2026.
What to do about it. Allow extra time for passport control on arrival, especially if you have a connecting transfer or a tour on your arrival day. Flight schedules are unaffected by the works — this is only about possible delays at control. On departure, by contrast, the new gates should speed things up.
And if you’d rather skip the queue altogether after a long flight, you can arrange a fast-track service at Phuket Airport in advance: a greeter meets you and walks you through passport control via a separate lane, with no general queue. It’s especially useful while the arrivals area is under renovation, and convenient if you’re travelling with children or making a connection.
One more thing: the TDAC digital arrival card is still required and must be filled in online before entering Thailand — the automated gates don’t change that. We covered how to do it in about ten minutes in our TDAC step-by-step guide.
Pre-departure checklist for Phuket
To clear the automated passport gates smoothly, check before heading to the airport that:
- your passport is biometric and valid for at least 6 more months;
- your boarding pass is handy (paper or on your phone);
- your mask, glasses and hat are easy to remove at the gate;
- your passport has no thick cover or sleeve;
- any children or pregnant travellers in your group know to use a staffed counter.
If any point is in doubt, you lose nothing: regular passport control runs in parallel.
Plan a relaxed last day in Phuket
Faster departures are welcome, but it’s still best not to overload your travel day. If your flight is in the evening, you can spend the morning by the sea or on a short sightseeing trip and head to the airport with time to spare. It helps when the logistics are handled for you: excursions in Phuket from Tisland Travel include transfers and a guide, making it easier to time everything around your flight.
FAQ: automated passport gates at Phuket Airport
When do Phuket Airport’s automated passport gates start working?
From June 13, 2026, the ABC system (Automatic Border Channel) will operate in the international departures area. It speeds up passport control on departure for travellers with a biometric passport.
Can foreign tourists use the automated gates?
Yes. The ABC gates can be used by any passenger with a biometric (electronic) passport, not just Thai nationals. The passport must have a chip and be valid for at least 6 months on the travel date.
What are the passport requirements for the ABC gates?
You need a biometric passport with an embedded chip, valid for at least 6 months (180 days) from your departure date. Place it on the reader without a cover or sleeve, one document at a time.
Who cannot use the automated gates?
Children and passengers under 120 cm, pregnant passengers, and holders of non-chip passports cannot use the gates. They should use a staffed counter.
Will there be queues on arrival in summer 2026?
Possibly. The arrivals immigration area is partly under renovation until July 9, 2026 to install the ABC system. On departure, queues should get shorter.
Bottom line
Phuket Airport has taken a step toward faster departures: from June 13, 2026, the ABC automated passport gates save time for anyone with a biometric passport, a height of 120 cm or more, and enough validity left on their document. Foreign tourists can use them too. The one thing to remember this summer is the arrivals-area renovation until July 9 and possible queues on entry. Allow extra time on arrival, keep your passport ready on departure, and you’ll be through the gates in seconds.
Tisland Travel has helped travellers across Southeast Asia since 2010 and runs excursions in Phuket with transfers and guides.
