Do not use E gates when coming into Thailand, you will not get a stamp in your passport. Your entry will be recorded as a tourist 30 days entry.

[lightfoot]

WOW,
Just saw this video by UK lawyer affiliated with Thai lawyers.
Jist is,
E gates are designed for 30 day visa exempt scheme, no stamp in passport.
If you're coming back to Thailand with an Thailand O visa and go through a E gate your visa will be canceled.

He states that if you go through an E gate return to Thailand, it will nullify O visa.
You need a physical stamp in your passport, etc. By going through the line with a immigration officer.
Physical entry stamp is required dealing with immigration.

AI just confirmed this information.

Just a warning for travelers.

 

[CO-CO]

I guess it is not rocket-science. If you need to have your passport stamped (ie returning under a re-entry permit) then e-gates are obviously not appropriate.

This from 20th September:-

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport now has immigration e-gates for arrivals from 33 approved nationalities. However, having an eligible passport is only part of the requirement.

The arrival e-gates only work for visa-exempt travelers who meet several conditions, including a prior Thai entry stamp in their current passport and a completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card. If any part of your entry does not fit those rules, use a staffed immigration booth.

Who Can Use Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Arrival E-Gates?​

The new autogates are operating for eligible travelers entering Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport. They are limited to travelers from 33 approved nationalities who are entering under Thailand’s visa-exemption rules.

United States passport holders are not included in the current arrival e-gate program. Other major tourism source countries outside the program include China, India, Russia, Israel, and Taiwan.

The reported selection is based on risk-management parameters and passport rankings. It also reportedly lines up closely with the Henley Passport Index, where the United States ranks number 37.

 

[lightfoot]

I guess it is not rocket-science. If you need to have your passport stamped (ie returning under a re-entry permit) then e-gates are obviously not appropriate.

This from 20th September:-

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport now has immigration e-gates for arrivals from 33 approved nationalities. However, having an eligible passport is only part of the requirement.

The arrival e-gates only work for visa-exempt travelers who meet several conditions, including a prior Thai entry stamp in their current passport and a completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card. If any part of your entry does not fit those rules, use a staffed immigration booth.

It also reportedly lines up closely with the Henley Passport Index, where the United States ranks number 37.​

More information is good to have.

The Official Passport Index Ranking

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports by visa-free access using exclusive IATA data, with 19 years of history and monthly updates.

www.henleyglobal.com

 

[lightfoot]