Thailand is about to enhance its airport security and streamline passenger processing by extending a biometric identification system at six major airports, building on the country’s existing digital transformation initiatives in aviation. Starting December 1, 2024, this system will be available for international passengers, following its initial launch for domestic travelers on November 1, 2024.
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) agency will roll out the biometric system at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, as well as Phuket International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, and Hat Yai International Airport. This initiative follows similar successful implementations at airports like Singapore’s Changi Airport, where facial recognition has already demonstrated significant improvements in passenger processing efficiency.
Travelers can enroll in the system at check-in counters or common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosks. At the counters, airline staff will assist in capturing facial and travel document information as a digital token using the Common Use Ticket Checking System (CUTE) boarding pass reader. Alternatively, travelers can opt for self-check-in at CUSS kiosks, which involves selecting their airline, choosing ‘Enrollment,’ scanning the barcode on their boarding pass, inserting their passport or ID, and completing registration with a facial scan.
The biometric identification system promises several benefits, including stronger security through facial recognition, which reduces the risk of identity fraud and unauthorized access. It also aims to shorten wait times by speeding up processing at check-in, immigration, and boarding, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and allowing airport staff to focus on other essential tasks. This upgrade aligns with Thailand’s goal of presenting itself as a tech-savvy, globally connected travel hub, a vision also reflected in its recent digital wallet initiative that leverages biometric technology for secure transactions.
The expansion to international flights is expected to significantly reduce the time registered travelers spend at each checkpoint from three minutes to one minute. Furthermore, in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), stored biometric data will be erased 48 hours after registration, ensuring privacy and data protection in line with global standards. This data retention policy aligns with international best practices for biometric data handling and reflects growing awareness of privacy concerns in digital identity management.
The implementation includes advanced liveness detection and anti-spoofing measures to prevent fraudulent attempts to bypass the system, similar to those deployed in other major international airports. The facial recognition technology uses standardized ISO/IEC 19794-5 compliant image capture and processing, ensuring compatibility with international border control systems and maintaining high accuracy rates across diverse demographic groups.
Source: Siam Legal
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November 28, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
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