Facial Recognition to Replace Boarding Passes at Six Thai Airports

[sandyf]

On 10/29/2024 at 9:26 AM, Danderman123 said:

Immigration/Security always checks your boarding pass.

Not when I left earlier this month, went through an auto gate using facial recognition.

IO looked a bit puzzled when I came back, no exit stamp.

[kiwikeith]

On 10/29/2024 at 1:11 PM, impulse said:

How do I know where to sit on the plane if I don't have a boarding pass?  And if I sit in the wrong seat (has happened), how do the flight attendants straighten out the mess?

 

you will probably have to buy your seat number when purchasing a ticket, more expense.

[cdemundo]

1 hour ago, watchcat said:

 

Have you checked with your father or mother, and can you trust them?  lol

 

 

Sorry, I guess I didn't spell it out clearly enough.

 

Facial recognition tagged Ron Wood with my brother's name in a photo.

It didn't say "Ron Wood is your brother".

But certainly a gallant attempt at humor, apparently it made you laugh out loud.

[sandyf]

On 10/29/2024 at 7:11 AM, impulse said:

How do I know where to sit on the plane if I don't have a boarding pass?  And if I sit in the wrong seat (has happened), how do the flight attendants straighten out the mess?

 

Why get hot under the collar over something that has not been said.

The OP does not say that there will no longer be a boarding pass. The OP implies that facial recognition will replace a function currently provided by the boarding pass. Many airports now require passengers to scan a barcode on the boarding pass to get to security area, a funcion that could be replaced by facial recognition.

When I left Thailand a couple of weeks ago there was no boarding card check prior to security, although there has been in the past. Maybe they have already run down the staff.

Some years ago I flew with Easyjet and they had no boarding passes. You were given a queue number at the gate and took the first available seat. No wrong seats to worry about.

[Danderman123]

40 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Not when I left earlier this month, went through an auto gate using facial recognition.

IO looked a bit puzzled when I came back, no exit stamp.

Before you got to the autogate, your boarding pass was checked.

 

Most people don't get exit stamps anymore.

[Cabradelmar]

19 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I've been flying out of BKK each of the past 19 months and the face scanners have been installed for awhile at various chokepoints.  All they have to do is turn them on and try them out.

 

Thanks. Hadn't noticed. Last time I took a flight out of Thailand was in July. 

[statman78]

1 hour ago, Danderman123 said:

Before you got to the autogate, your boarding pass was checked.

 

Most people don't get exit stamps anymore.

Must be hit or miss thing.  I left Thailand earlier this month (7 Oct) and did get an exit stamp in my passport.  

[Danderman123]

4 minutes ago, statman78 said:

Must be hit or miss thing.  I left Thailand earlier this month (7 Oct) and did get an exit stamp in my passport.  

If you have an old passport the machine might not work for you.

 

Or if you choose to stand in the line to get your passport stamped.

[sandrew33]

2 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

Before you got to the autogate, your boarding pass was checked.

 

Most people don't get exit stamps anymore.

Nope. The electronic boarding pass was scanned at the initial gate before the escalator up to the scanners. Was never looked at by a person at any stage. 

[statman78]

1 hour ago, Danderman123 said:

If you have an old passport the machine might not work for you.

 

Or if you choose to stand in the line to get your passport stamped.

Thanks for the info.  I was flying business class and went through fast track so no machines, just immigration officers.

 

I’ll see if my passport works next week since I’ll be flying out of Bangkok without the ability to use fast track.

Edited October 30 by statman78

[Rhys]

Did those Weed MPs get in on this too?

 

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

Before you got to the autogate, your boarding pass was checked.

 

Most people don't get exit stamps anymore.

Wrong, my boarding pass was not checked before going to the auto gate.

Second comment also wrong, NOBODY gets an exit stamp from an auto gate.

[Danderman123]

2 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Wrong, my boarding pass was not checked before going to the auto gate.

Second comment also wrong, NOBODY gets an exit stamp from an auto gate.

If your boarding pass was not checked somewhere in Suvarnabhumi, you are very special.

 

4 hours ago, statman78 said:

Must be hit or miss thing.  I left Thailand earlier this month (7 Oct) and did get an exit stamp in my passport.  

 

[sandyf]

2 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

If your boarding pass was not checked somewhere in Suvarnabhumi, you are very special.

 

 

Apologies, appears English is not your first language.

[Danderman123]

4 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Apologies, appears English is not your first language.

For people who are not special, just before going up the escalator to Security, their boarding pass is scanned.

 

Maybe you went through a special and rare process, where nobody checked your boarding pass.

[khunpeer]

On 10/29/2024 at 4:37 AM, webfact said:

Image: ASEAN NOW

 

Thai airports announced plans to introduce a facial recognition system by the end of the year, effectively phasing out the need for traditional boarding passes. This cutting-edge technology will be implemented in six major airports, aiming to streamline passenger movement and enhance security processes.

 

From 1st November, domestic travellers in Thailand will experience this new system, with international passengers following on 1st December. Passengers will register their identification details during check-in, either at a staffed counter or using a self-service kiosk.

 

Upon registration, their biometric data will be linked with their travel itineraries, enabling them to navigate seamlessly from baggage drop-off to boarding gate. Each registration will apply solely to the passenger's current travel itinerary.

 

The six key airports set to adopt this system are:

 

Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Don Mueang International Airport

Chiang Mai International Airport

Mae Fah Luang/Chiang Rai International Airport

Phuket International Airport

Hat Yai International Airport

 

Kirati Kitmanawat, Director of the Airports Authority of Thailand, highlighted the potential benefits of this system amidst rising passenger numbers.

 

He reported nearly a 20% increase in airport users in September and October compared to last year, with expectations for further growth in the coming year.

 

The biometric system is designed not only to meet heightened security demands but also to enhance passenger convenience during their journey.

 

This venture aligns with global trends towards digital solutions in travel, aiming to make procedures more efficient while maintaining rigorous security standards.

 

As these airports gear up for implementation, travellers can expect a technologically advanced and smoother travel experience in Thailand.

 

The initiative promises to set a new standard in airport technology, potentially serving as a model for other airports globally, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-10-29

 

 

 

 

to begin with only for Thai people i assume?

[stoutfella]

Absolutely brilliant idea putting more reliance on machines and systems which can, and often do, easily fail.

[orchidfan]

As I exit and enter quite regularly, i use the BPs as "evidence "(if required ) to show my local Imm Office why I haven't done 90 day reports in long while.

(I submit a photocopy of all the cards in chronological order).

 

I suppose I could use the PP stamps but that would take an IO ages to scroll through and find them all!

 

At Hong Kong I enter and exit using my HKID card, so no Imm PP entries, but I still have the BP issued by the airline (usually Emirates) to add to my collection.

 

Let's see what happens !

[TheAppletons]

Just now, statman78 said:

Thanks for the info.  I was flying business class and went through fast track so no machines, just immigration officers.

 

 

  I flew out of BKK yesterday using fast track and the e-gates are now installed and operational in that area.

[Sigmund]

22 hours ago, sandrew33 said:

16 years of at least monthly arrivals and this has never been an issue. But sure … 

Agree Sir...but 16 years ago this system did not exist yet for public use.

[Paradise Pete]

On 10/28/2024 at 7:11 PM, impulse said:

How do I know where to sit on the plane if I don't have a boarding pass?  And if I sit in the wrong seat (has happened), how do the flight attendants straighten out the mess?

 

 

My guess is that boarding passes will still be issued. you just won't need them for routine purposes.

[Patong2021]

It is easy to see who the older, and infrequent flyers are.  😄  

 

The switch to biometric boarding will streamline the boarding process, stop look and pass the  entry gate. It can also be used to ensure that the people who push their way into an earlier boarding zone can be better managed. It is proven worthwhile. Millions of passengers are already relying on biometrics  to clear security lines and immigration.  Examples are Global Entry, Nexus, and ABTC.  I can now enter the USA or Canada in minutes compared to having to stand in line with people for 30 -60 minutes+ at peak hours. The Lufthansa Group has already deployed  in Vienna, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munchen airports.

 

On 10/28/2024 at 8:11 PM, impulse said:

How do I know where to sit on the plane if I don't have a boarding pass?  And if I sit in the wrong seat (has happened), how do the flight attendants straighten out the mess?

You will still receive a BP.  Did you know that  there are electronic boarding passes, if you look at the  security gates, most people are using their phones. The SD  has a passenger manifest that shows the passenger and their assigned seat. The manifest is either delivered electronically, prior to departure or is in the printout that the GA hands off to the SD before the door is closed. 

 

On 10/28/2024 at 8:35 PM, redwood1 said:

The boarding pass also shows you gate and flight numbers on connecting flights along with seat numbers......

So is your face going to be in every other airport in the world?

Boarding passes are very very helpful for air travel...

 

Airports have monitors that show assigned gates and all passengers are told to check with these monitors  when disembarking or transiting in the terminal. Gates can and do change. Many longhaul flights that have a connection, do not show the connecting gate.  Passengers should always check with the  airport monitors that offer real time updates.

 

On 10/28/2024 at 9:26 PM, Tropicalevo said:

I have always needed a physical boarding pass to prove that I have been on a flight when the air miles have not been updated. So what happens now?

This is just another scam to get a big budget in the name of progress, syphon off the back-handers, run out of cash and fail to deliver until more money is available.

Remember the bomb sniffing devices anyone?

 

The move to biometric BPs is long overdue and is part of the improvement in worldwide air travel.  Your argument is similar to the one offered when the standard moved to e-tickets and the issuing of paper tickets and coupons for flight segments  stopped.  People can and do lose their BPs.  Multiple people do not have their BPs and ID in hand when boarding and they delay the boarding process. Some people try to board early. This will all be better managed by EBP.

 

The technology that will be used will be at an international standard and have to be  certified, much as the screening scanners are. 

If you have flown with the airline it will have offered an electronic boarding pass which you can use.   Most people now use online checkin. The people most likely to be bumped or downgraded are those without FF status at the airline who delay checkin.

[josephbloggs]

11 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

It is easy to see who the older, and infrequent flyers are.  😄  

 

The switch to biometric boarding will streamline the boarding process, stop look and pass the  entry gate. It can also be used to ensure that the people who push their way into an earlier boarding zone can be better managed. It is proven worthwhile. Millions of passengers are already relying on biometrics  to clear security lines and immigration.  Examples are Global Entry, Nexus, and ABTC.  I can now enter the USA or Canada in minutes compared to having to stand in line with people for 30 -60 minutes+ at peak hours. The Lufthansa Group has already deployed  in Vienna, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munchen airports.

 

You will still receive a BP.  Did you know that  there are electronic boarding passes, if you look at the  security gates, most people are using their phones. The SD  has a passenger manifest that shows the passenger and their assigned seat. The manifest is either delivered electronically, prior to departure or is in the printout that the GA hands off to the SD before the door is closed. 

 

 

Airports have monitors that show assigned gates and all passengers are told to check with these monitors  when disembarking or transiting in the terminal. Gates can and do change. Many longhaul flights that have a connection, do not show the connecting gate.  Passengers should always check with the  airport monitors that offer real time updates.

 

 

The move to biometric BPs is long overdue and is part of the improvement in worldwide air travel.  Your argument is similar to the one offered when the standard moved to e-tickets and the issuing of paper tickets and coupons for flight segments  stopped.  People can and do lose their BPs.  Multiple people do not have their BPs and ID in hand when boarding and they delay the boarding process. Some people try to board early. This will all be better managed by EBP.

 

The technology that will be used will be at an international standard and have to be  certified, much as the screening scanners are. 

If you have flown with the airline it will have offered an electronic boarding pass which you can use.   Most people now use online checkin. The people most likely to be bumped or downgraded are those without FF status at the airline who delay checkin.

Great reply, well said.

A lot of people on here thing the sky is falling in at any little change to their routine.

[sandyf]

15 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

For people who are not special, just before going up the escalator to Security, their boarding pass is scanned.

 

Maybe you went through a special and rare process, where nobody checked your boarding pass.

A few more lessons and you may see the difference between "checked" and automatic gate control.

[treetops]

On 10/29/2024 at 2:58 AM, khunjeff said:

The reality is that you will still get a boarding pass and will still show it at immigration (if flying internationally) and at the gate. This facial recognition system will only be used to pass through the security checkpoint, so they won't need to have someone standing there to spend two minutes comparing your boarding pass to your passport.

 

That's not quite correct.  Facial scanners have also been installed at the boarding gates (at least the one I used earlier this week).

[Purdey]

On 10/29/2024 at 8:52 AM, Tropicalevo said:

Why - will they send an SMS?

(No third party apps or wifi on my phone.)

An SMS does not require an app. All phones can get an SMS.

Edited November 3 by Purdey

[black tabby12345]

Face Identification C/in ＠Thai airport.

From 1st November, domestic travelers in Thailand will experience this new system, with international passengers following on 1st December.

 

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

Did any of the very recent air travelers ever experience this?

The text says they started to use it 2 days ago though.

[black tabby12345]

On 10/29/2024 at 7:11 AM, impulse said:

How do I know where to sit on the plane if I don't have a boarding pass?  And if I sit in the wrong seat (has happened), how do the flight attendants straighten out the mess?

 

 

Yes. Quite A Reasonable Concern.

Half-hearted automation can do more harm than good in case of troubles.

Abolishing conventional system without sufficient failsafe is absurd and dangerous.

Especially in the Low Tech country that cannot properly maintain online immigration process(e.g. 90 days report).

Disabled  online report system only causes irritation among users.

But at the busy airport, it will cause a big mess and actual harms(some passengers might miss their connecting flight passengers if their transit time is tight).

Edited November 3 by black tabby12345

[black tabby12345]

On 10/29/2024 at 7:35 AM, redwood1 said:

The boarding pass also shows you gate and flight numbers on connecting flights along with seat numbers......

 

So is your face going to be in every other airport in the world?

 

Boarding passes are very very helpful for air travel...

 

Also useful when you later might  need to prove your travel on the specific date.

The Paperless won't serve almighty.

[Hawaiian]

On 10/30/2024 at 8:36 AM, watchcat said:

 

The first two examples I can understand, but why oh why would you disfigure your face with tattoos, that I can'tunderstand?

Maybe he thinking of Maori tradition.