Dhaka, May 17 -- Thailand has imposed a lifetime entry ban on a Chinese tourist after he allegedly kicked and damaged automated passport control gates at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, in a case reflecting the country's growing crackdown on unruly foreign visitors.

The 30-year-old man, identified as Zheng Liwei, allegedly damaged two automated gates at the airport on the afternoon of May 13 while attempting to pass through passport control ahead of a flight to China.

Local media reports said Zheng grew frustrated after repeatedly failing to use the automated system correctly. Video footage reportedly shows he slammed his travel document on a reader before kicking the barriers and forcing his way through.

He then allegedly shouted abus...