International visitors do not need passports when leaving Thailand from early December

Passengers move at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

According to Director of the National Airport Authority Kirati Kitmanawat, Thailand will apply a biometric facial recognition system for international passengers departing from December 1 and for citizens from November 1. Accordingly, passengers leaving Thailand will not need to present their passports at 6 airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang (Chiang Rai), Phuket and Hat Yai.

There are two ways for travelers to get from baggage drop to the gate without presenting their passport and ticket. The first is to check in at the airport. Those with biometric-enabled passports allow the system to access their information and identify them while they are checking in at the counter.

The second way is for passengers checking in online to select the airline they will be flying with, select “check in,” then scan their boarding pass barcode, followed by their passport or ID card (for Thai citizens) and face. Thailand has not yet clarified whether this second method will apply to those without biometric-enabled passports.

Both methods store facial data and passenger information. Once all information is matched, the passenger can simply go straight to the departure gate without needing to use their passport.

Mr. Kirati said that check-in machines at airports have been updated to support biometric software, to meet the needs of passengers for convenience, speed and reduced waiting time. From there, passengers have more time to eat, drink and shop for duty-free products at the airport.

Kirati also said that passenger traffic at six airports in the past year has increased by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year, with nearly 120 million passengers. Thailand is expected to welcome about 130 million passengers in 2024 thanks to improved flight connectivity, especially the expansion of many international routes.

From September 30, Singapore also applied passport-free check-in method for incoming passengers at all four terminals at Changi Airport. Passengers complete immigration procedures in 10 seconds thanks to the facial and iris recognition system. Singaporeans, including permanent residents and long-term pass holders, can enter and leave the airport using facial and iris biometric authentication, without having to present a passport. Foreign visitors still need documents upon arrival but can use the passport-free method when leaving.

TH (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/khach-quoc-te-khong-can-ho-chieu-khi-roi-thai-lan-tu-dau-thang-12-397101.html