Thailand airports boost biometrics for faster service times

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Phuket Airport

 

By Bright Choomanee

 

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) is enhancing its biometric identification systems to expedite service times at airports. Yesterday, January 8, AoT Director Kerati Kijmanawat confirmed that this system has been implemented at six major international airports managed by AoT, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai. However, the system currently does not fully support Thai ID cards.

 

From January 15, the biometric systems will accommodate ID cards without expiration dates, issued to individuals aged 70 and older. Additionally, the system will be upgraded to support ID cards with names exceeding 20 letters in English.

 

Kerati mentioned that AoT will utilise various technologies to enhance services further. During the new year festival, from December 27 to January 2, Suvarnabhumi Airport recorded 1.4 million passengers, marking a 16.1% increase from the previous year.

 

The airport managed 7,707 flights, representing a 14.3% rise. Don Mueang Airport saw 758,929 passengers, a 27% increase, and 4,914 flights, up 19.2%.

ort had 46,190 passengers, up 14.5%, and 318 flights, up 12%.

 

 

Phuket Airport witnessed a 20.4% increase in passengers, totalling 437,411, and 2,573 flights, up 20.5%. Hat Yai Airport had 66,092 passengers, an 18.2% increase, and 448 flights, up 17.9%.

 

Kerati noted the data reflects a return to normalcy in passenger and flight numbers following challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that 2.97 million passengers travelled through AoT’s airports during the new year period, a 19.7% increase from the previous year.

 

This included approximately 1.84 million international passengers, up 23.8%, and 1.13 million domestic passengers, a 13.5% rise, reported Bangkok Post.

 

During this period, all six airports operated smoothly without congestion, particularly at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The average service time for international arrivals was 22 minutes, while departures took 28 minutes. Domestic arrivals took about 12 minutes, with departures averaging 16 minutes.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-09

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

Does it cater for passports?

[Patong2021]

For reference sake;

 

Passengers who opt to use the biometric system at Thailand airports can register themselves at the check-in through these two methods:

 

Self-check-in kiosks: Passengers can select a kiosk to check-in. After using the machine in the kiosk, they can select their airline, choose the ‘Enrollment’ option, and scan the boarding pass barcode. Next, they must insert a passport or ID card and finish the process with a facial scan. The system stores the facial scan and other data as a Token.

 

Check-in at counters: Passengers opting to check in via airport counters at these Thailand airports can request airline staff to register their facial data via the CUTE boarding pass reader. The reader can securely capture information related to facial scans and travel documents as a Token within the system.

 

Once enrolled, the passengers’ facial biometrics are securely stored, eliminating the need for repeated identity checks throughout their journey. This means faster and smoother passage through baggage drop, security checkpoints, and boarding gates. However, passengers will have to repeat the process for their next journey.

 

Source: Travel & Leisure Magazine

 

 

[Gknrd]

I just did a week of plane travel. I must say I like it. Very fast and easy.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Does it cater for passports?

 

When departing Thailand a few weeks back, I was directed to one of the Auto-gates.

 

I've never registered. I simply placed my passport face down on the screen.

Then the system took my photo.

Done - in about 15 seconds - very quick.

I now have no exit stamp, but don't imagine thats an issue.

 

If it works this well for everyone - then this will speed up departures no end.

 

Now they just need to improve the speed of security screening (as they have in the EU, with better scanning machines so no need to remove items from the bag (if not carrying liquids) - then drop the silly fixation with power banks. 

 

... and also improve arrival processing times...

 

All a step in the right direction as by far one of the worst part of flying is the headache of getting through the airports.

[cjinchiangrai]

I have asked to do it but have not been able to register. Don't care about them having my biometrics in the least.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

I have asked to do it but have not been able to register. Don't care about them having my biometrics in the least.

 

I'm not even sure how you register... 

 

 

After checking in (as normal), then going through security, an immigration officer directed me away from the manned Immigration booths to use the Auto-Immigration Gates.

 

I expected it not to work, however, the process was seamless and very quick.

 

 

Thus: I'm not sure what the registration comments are about.

 

 

 

[cjinchiangrai]

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I'm not even sure how you register... 

 

 

After checking in (as normal), then going through security, an immigration officer directed me away from the manned Immigration booths to use the Auto-Immigration Gates.

 

I expected it not to work, however, the process was seamless and very quick.

 

 

Thus: I'm not sure what the registration comments are about.

I have flown a number of times recently and asked to go through the camera gates but was directed to the hand run gates.

[richard_smith237]

17 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

I have flown a number of times recently and asked to go through the camera gates but was directed to the hand run gates.

 

I'm in and out regularly - it was only this last time (just before Christmas) that I was directed to the Auto-Immigration-Gate.

The previous time, a month before hand, the exit procedure was 'human'.... 

 

[treetops]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Now they just need to improve the speed of security screening (as they have in the EU, with better scanning machines so no need to remove items from the bag (if not carrying liquids)

 

I thought that had been dropped already as the machines weren't up to scratch, or is it back on again?

 

https://www.able2travel.com/news/new-airport-scanners-fail-100ml-liquid-limit-returns-across-eu/

 

47 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thus: I'm not sure what the registration comments are about.

 

It's for a different system, not immigration.  You would be able to get through the rest of the departures process including boarding without showing boarding pass or passport again as it would be done with facial recognition.  It was due to be implemented in November and December but I've never heard of it actually being switched on yet.  I noticed the hardware in place in October.

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/aot-rolls-out-biometric-system-to-enhance-passenger-experience-across-six-airports/

 

[richard_smith237]

26 minutes ago, treetops said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Now they just need to improve the speed of security screening (as they have in the EU, with better scanning machines so no need to remove items from the bag (if not carrying liquids)

 

I thought that had been dropped already as the machines weren't up to scratch, or is it back on again?

 

https://www.able2travel.com/news/new-airport-scanners-fail-100ml-liquid-limit-returns-across-eu/

 

I last exited the UK in the summer...    I'm not sure about the 100ml-liquid rule (we didnt have liquids anyway), but we didn't have to take out laptops etc... the whole 'passing through security' was exponentially faster than it ever has been before.

 

26 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thus: I'm not sure what the registration comments are about.

 

It's for a different system, not immigration.  You would be able to get through the rest of the departures process including boarding without showing boarding pass or passport again as it would be done with facial recognition.  It was due to be implemented in November and December but I've never heard of it actually being switched on yet.  I noticed the hardware in place in October.

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/aot-rolls-out-biometric-system-to-enhance-passenger-experience-across-six-airports/

 

Ah... I've misunderstood - I thought the article was regarding Auto-Immigration-Gates on departure. 

 

I'm not sure why all this is necessary for domestic flights - there is never any hold up with those anyway - its usually just a person glancing at your boarding pass and ID as you pass through before security....  

Or, perhaps I've never travelled at peak-periods for domestic travel so I've never noticed it.

 

 

 

 

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

From January 15, the biometric systems will accommodate ID cards without expiration dates, issued to individuals aged 70 and older.

What ?

[StayinThailand2much]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Additionally, the system will be upgraded to support ID cards with names exceeding 20 letters in English.

 

I take it that these are Thai ID cards, and it will be upgraded to read longer Thai names in English... Yes, that will lead to faster service at the airport overall, I'm sure... 😆