The system entered service on Saturday (June 13) following a readiness inspection conducted by Phuket Airport General Manager Monchai Tanode and Phuket Airport Immigration Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt. Col Apha Kueakool at 9am.
The ABC system 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.
Airport officials confirmed that 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, allowing the airport to process larger passenger volumes more efficiently.
The automated gates use biometric verification technology and are available only to travellers carrying eligible electronic passports that meet Immigration Bureau requirements.
Passengers holding non-electronic passports, as well as those requiring special screening or additional inspection procedures, will continue to use conventional immigration counters.
The launch marks a significant expansion of automated immigration services at Phuket Airport. Until now, automated gates had been available only for departing passengers, with arriving international travellers required to pass through manned immigration checkpoints.
Airport officials said the introduction of the ABC system is intended to provide a faster, smoother and more secure travel experience while reducing pressure on immigration staff and improving passenger flow through the terminal.
Speaking during the launch, Mr Monchai said the expansion of automated processing would help ease congestion at immigration checkpoints and further improve airport operations.
The airport has not announced a timeline for the installation of the additional 11 automated gates planned under the second phase.
The new system forms part of ongoing efforts by Phuket Airport and Phuket Airport Immigration to modernise services and enhance the travel experience for visitors arriving in and departing from the island.
Officials said the project will 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, highlighting its role as one of Thailand’s busiest aviation hubs.