Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

[ronboy]

Is there any benefit to this or is it a cash cow?

[alphageek]

It is meant to be free supposedly. Benefits for the traveler is that they can use the electronic gate and no more stamps to take up space. Benefits for govt is that they have more data on you and can control things like multiple entry restrictions should they want to. 

[simon6666]

2 hours ago, alphageek said:

Benefits for the traveler is that they can use the electronic gate and no more stamps to take up space.

This could go either way.

There is an appreciable variance in the speed IOs process people.

An enormous variance in how quickly regular citizens are able to navigate technology untrained.

As long as it's manned and any slow-mo Joe or Jill is quickly yanked aside, I'm fine with it.

If we're forced to stand in line and wait for every fucker to figure it out like it's the first time they've ever encountered a device powered by electricity, user feedback might tend to the negative.

Trial slated for December.

We shall see.

[ronboy]

31 minutes ago, simon6666 said:

This could go either way.

There is an appreciable variance in the speed IOs process people...

Nicely written 😎

Edited September 7 by ronboy

[dontpanic]

59 minutes ago, simon6666 said:

This could go either way.

There is an appreciable variance in the speed IOs process people.

An enormous variance in how quickly regular citizens are able to navigate technology untrained.

As long as it's manned and any slow-mo Joe or Jill is quickly yanked aside, I'm fine with it.

If we're forced to stand in line and wait for every fucker to figure it out like it's the first time they've ever encountered a device powered by electricity, user feedback might tend to the negative.

Trial slated for December.

We shall see.

Is there a definite date in December? I arrive on the 8th. 

[Leo_Bia]

5 minutes ago, dontpanic said:

Is there a definite date in December? I arrive on the 8th. 

No, every article I have read just says sometime in December.

https://forum.pattaya-addicts.com/topic/378432-various-visa-changes/page/15/#comment-5792271

 

[erikhansen]

1 hour ago, simon6666 said:

An enormous variance in how quickly regular citizens are able to navigate technology untrained.

As long as it's manned and any slow-mo Joe or Jill is quickly yanked aside, I'm fine with it.

They will have plenty of staff available to help people scan their passport and QR-code. I used electronic gates at departure last month. Fast and efficiant. Even with slow people it will be faster than the average immigration officer.

My biggest concern is whether they have enough gates open or if they are trying to reduce the manual handling at the same time.

[Kandinski]

35 minutes ago, dontpanic said:

Is there a definite date in December? I arrive on the 8th. 

Odds target and completion dates in Thailand aren't the best. On a site note; passed Immigration yesterday and there where zero passengers at any of the counters and (priority) luggage, which in most cased are the showstopper) arrived in 10 minutes 

[discrete]

The various reports indicate that the ETA is for visa exempt arrivals ... I wonder how they will handle people with a visa ... in particular an O-Visa (retirement) that many of us have.  You can already use the e-gates to depart using a digital enabled passport (many passports support this).

I guess if they link up your visa end date to your passport (and update it when you renew), you could use e-gates to enter the Kingdom...  but they need to integrate the re-entry permit situation too.   And you still need a backup process for the errors that will inevitably occur.

EDIT

They also need to integrate the entry (or reentry) dates with the 90 day reporting system. Using an e-gate for entry means you wouldn't have a entry stamp that immigration can check for your 90 day report. Most of this year I didn't do 90 day reports because I was leaving/returning about once a month.

Edited September 7 by discrete

[jim2k]

If its the same process that Singapore uses then it easy and efficient. no passport stamp. the first time i did it in Singapore. i realized at the baggage carousel i did not have a stamp in my passport. I got scared i grabbed my bags and rushed back to immigration. they whip you with a stick there. the guy was like yeah we don't do that anymore. So the process works

[biggles]

jim2k, it may well be the same process but unfortunately it will be implemented by Thais. They don't have a great record in IT, think online 90 day reports! 

[wurzel]

Once the system is up and running can’t help feeling that a fee will be introduced, ‘purely to cover administration costs’ of course. Then it’s fairly easy to increase the fee to cover that charge they were going to introduce a while ago to cover uninsured travellers.

Believe USA charges something like $21 and EU intend to charge €7 for their visa fee 'free' travellers.

[erikhansen]

11 minutes ago, wurzel said:

Once the system is up and running can’t help feeling that a fee will be introduced, ‘purely to cover administration costs’ of course. Then it’s fairly easy to increase the fee to cover that charge they were going to introduce a while ago to cover uninsured travellers.

Believe USA charges something like $21 and EU intend to charge €7 for their visa fee 'free' travellers.

If we look at SEA Malaysia/Singapore does charge a fee. And until the tourist numbers increase in Thailand I highly doubt they will charge a fee. The introdution of 60 day excemption and DTV aims for higher tourist numbers and the special 200 THB tourist tax has been postponed several times. But yes, in the long run it will be tempting for the politicians to put a small fee.

Regarding the admin costs there is probably none as it would be automatic (AI/Bots connected to different systems) like the visa system in India. Some might go to manual of course but I very much doubt that justifies a fee. For now.

 

Edited September 8 by erikhansen

[Herbby]

On 07/09/2024 at 16:12, jim2k said:

If its the same process that Singapore uses then it easy and efficient. no passport stamp. the first time i did it in Singapore. i realized at the baggage carousel i did not have a stamp in my passport. I got scared i grabbed my bags and rushed back to immigration. they whip you with a stick there. the guy was like yeah we don't do that anymore. So the process works

This. It takes about a minute to complete and is no big deal at all.

[Roadglide]

Is there a web site that we can go to to do this?  Seems like an extra step for travelers

[Leo_Bia]

11 minutes ago, Roadglide said:

Is there a web site that we can go to to do this?  Seems like an extra step for travelers

Same website, as if you were applying for a visa, we presume.

Edited September 8 by Leo_Bia

[Wiley Coyote]

I am hoping like ETIAS ,it keeps being delayed as my next visit January .

I am also aware some hotels check your passport + visa ,are they àware that some passports will have no visa stamp !

 

 

[simon6666]

18 hours ago, Wiley Coyote said:

I am also aware some hotels check your passport + visa ,are they àware that some passports will have no visa stamp !

If anything like the TM6 suspension, some won't be, but they'll all catch up eventually - you might just have to explain it to them on check-in for a while.

[travelling_man]

On 07/09/2024 at 22:29, biggles said:

jim2k, it may well be the same process but unfortunately it will be implemented by Thais. They don't have a great record in IT, think online 90 day reports! 

Perhaps... But no one imagined that the immigration system with integrated finger print scanners and cameras would work. 

But if you have been lucky enough to see an immigration officer's screen while he processed someone, you could see how well it has worked. 

 

[Wiley Coyote]

4 hours ago, simon6666 said:

If anything like the TM6 suspension, some won't be, but they'll all catch up eventually - you might just have to explain it to them on check-in for a while.

Thank you 

[Leo_Bia]

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/electronic-entry-clearance-topples-seamless-travel-dreams-473451

The reality is that prior electronic authorization, whether for a visa or to allow a visa-exempt entry, is an approval mechanism. It allows governments to assess any criminal activity, travel history and even some health data, whilst documenting accommodation details and outward flights, if any. It will certainly make impossible spur-of-the-moment foreign travel and replace it by a cost-benefit vetting procedure. Does the foreign government really want you? That’s the new question we have hardly begun to debate.

[Arnie85]

On 09/09/2024 at 06:27, Roadglide said:

Is there a web site that we can go to to do this?  Seems like an extra step for travelers

Not yet because it’s not in operation yet. 

[Leo_Bia]

Thailand postpones automated entry for foreign tourists
Updated Sep 24, 2024
BANGKOK - The implementation of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for foreign tourists entering Thailand has been postponed, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sept 23.

The ETA system, designed to streamline immigration procedures for visitors, was originally scheduled to launch in December 2024. However, the ministry said a launch date had yet to be determined as coordination with relevant agencies is still ongoing.

The ETA system will allow foreign tourists from 93 countries granted visa-free entry to register online prior to their arrival in Thailand. The QR code they receive on registration can then be used to pass through automated immigration gates. ETA will eventually be incorporated in Thailand’s transition to an electronic visa system.

The ministry said it remained committed to implementing ETA but was currently working with other government agencies to finalise the details and ensure a smooth launch.

Travellers are advised to monitor updates from the foreign ministry and the immigration bureau for the latest information on the ETA system’s launch date. THE NATION/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK

[stevebenaulim]

Was planning to buy my flight for next June, just wondering if i will be able to meet the requirements fot this ETA if it ever happens, does anyone have any idea what questions they will ask, thanks.

[ricktoronto]

If you can get in with visa exempt status now and aren't on an Interpol red notice you'll get an ETA. Probably in minutes. As fast as an ETA for the US, AU, Canada, EU etc.

Less time than at immigration booth with no photo no fingerprints nothing but your passport details.

I have the Hong Kong version which is enrolled at the airport. On arrival I go to a special turnstile, scan a bar code on a sticker on my passport, press one finger on a glass pad and the gates open.

Leaving same system and they also use facial match from passport biometrics to open the turnstile to board the plane.

Anything which pre clears you and lets you use automatic entry gates in and out is a good thing. 

As for proof HKG issues a 2" square receipt for entry and don't stamp, even at actual agents.