BANGKOK — Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) announced on November 28 that it will implement a new biometric identification system for both domestic and international passengers across its six airports starting December 1, 2024.
The system will be operational at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport, and Hat Yai Airport.
The new biometric system, which has been in use for domestic passengers since November 1 and will begin for international passengers on December 1, aims to enhance passenger convenience and significantly reduce processing time at various airport checkpoints from approximately three minutes to just one minute per passenger.
Passengers wishing to use the biometric system can register through two methods upon arrival at the airport:
- At airline check-in counters, passengers can request staff to register their facial data through the biometric system during the boarding pass issuance process. The system will record both facial features and travel document information.
- Alternatively, passengers can use the Common Use Self Service (CUSS) kiosks, where they can select their airline, consent to facial recognition registration, and complete the check-in process to receive their boarding pass. To complete registration, passengers must scan their boarding pass barcode, insert their passport or national ID card, and undergo facial scanning.
After registration, passengers checking in luggage can use the automated Common Use Bag Drop (CUBD) machines. Throughout the remaining airport journey, including security checkpoints and boarding, passengers will no longer need to present their passport and boarding pass.
In compliance with Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and data security standards, all passenger information recorded in the system will be automatically deleted within 48 hours of registration.
This technological advancement represents a significant step forward in streamlining airport operations and improving the passenger experience across Thailand’s major airports.
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6 Thai Airports Begin Biometric Check-in Nov 1 for Domestic Passengers
