"Common Use Self-Service" Kiosks at Thai Immigration?

This video discusses Thai immigration checkpoints, focusing on the introduction of self-service counters and biometric reading stations, particularly in preparation for the Songkran holiday. The speaker references an article from the Pattaya Mail about Suvarnabhumi Airport's preparations for the increased traveler volume during the 2026 Songkran Festival. Suvarnabhumi Airport is prioritizing convenience, efficiency, safety, and hospitality, coordinating with various sectors to reduce congestion. From April 10 to 19, 2026, the airport expects to serve approximately 1.82 million passengers, or 182,000 per day. While this is a 1.9% decrease from the previous year, flight numbers are projected to increase by 4.6% to around 11,000, with nine airlines requesting 130 additional international and charter flights. To improve the traveler experience, the airport is promoting self-service technologies, including common use self-service (CUSS) kiosks, common use bag drop (CUBD) systems, and biometric identity verification. These solutions aim to streamline processing and minimize document handling delays. Despite concerns about over-reliance on digitization, the speaker acknowledges the current efficiency of Thai airports, specifically Suvarnabhumi. The speaker anticipates a significant influx of tourists for Songkran, noting that the reported 1.9% decrease in passenger volume might be misleading. This is because many individuals who previously traveled routinely are now on long-term visas like the Destination Thailand visa, LTR, or standard retirement visas, meaning they are residents rather than short-term tourists. The situation's evolution regarding these new systems and tourism numbers will be monitored.