Phuket International Airport is introducing an automatic border channel for international departures from 13 June 2026, with specific eligibility rules and ongoing terminal works through 9 July 2026.
Phuket International Airport will introduce an automatic border channel for international departures from 13 June 2026. The change is designed to speed up passport control and reduce waiting time for departing passengers.
What the automatic border channel changes
The new system, called Automatic Border Channel (ABC), will operate in the international departures area. Airport authorities say it is part of a wider effort to improve passenger comfort and make processing faster.
The airport also says renovation work in the arrivals area will continue until 9 July 2026. That work is being carried out to prepare the space for the ABC installation. No changes to flight operations are expected.
Who can use it
To use the automatic border channel, travellers must have an e-passport that is valid for at least six months, or 180 days. Thai nationals can use all available ABC lanes.
There are also physical requirements. Children must be at least 120 cm tall, and baggage of similar height is not allowed in the channel. Pregnant women cannot use this facility.
Before approaching the gate, passengers should remove face masks, glasses and headwear. Passports must be in good condition, without a cover or case. Only one document can be scanned at a time.
What travellers should do
Anyone departing through Phuket should follow airport signs and immigration officers’ instructions. It is also sensible to allow extra time for immigration procedures, especially while terminal works are still under way.
Phuket International Airport and the Tourism Authority of Thailand said they will keep passengers informed about any further changes or additional details on the new system.
For international travellers, the main practical point is simple: the automatic border channel may save time, but only if the passport and passenger meet the listed requirements.
