Facial Recognition to Replace Boarding Passes at Six Thai Airports

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 travelers 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, travelers 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.

Source: ASIAN NOW

Russian flights keep arriving in Thailand, for now

Aeroflot, Ural Airlines and S7 Airline planes are still arriving on schedule in Thailand today as nothing has changed, thus far, as flights into Thai airports from Russia are concerned.

But Thailand’s tourism tzars continue to monitor Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the world looks to ways of pressuring and sanctioning Russia, including access to its airlines across the world.

At this stage there has been no official comments coming from the Thai government about the invasion of Ukraine or any Thai reaction to the conflict, beyond assuring Thais in Ukraine that they will be evacuated.

Russian arrivals ranked Number One in Thailand during the first 22 days of the resumption of the Test & Go program, from February 1 – 22. 13,063 Russian tourists arrived in Thailand over that time, followed by 10,412 visitors from Germany and 8,900 from France.

Both Russia and China were two of Thailand’s top feeder markets before 2020, the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chinese will remain notably absent until, probably, later in 2022. Now the Russian tourist tap may be switched off as well.

But with the developing conflict in Ukraine, the Russian Ruble has dropped around 18% against the Thai baht, since February 9, putting further pressure on Russian tourists travelling to Thailand at this time. Despite fluctuations, the Ruble is again on another downward trend versus most international currencies since the invasion on Thursday.

The other major threat to tourism arrivals, from just about anywhere in the world, is the huge surge in oil prices which will eventually hit plane ticket prices, including domestic flights within Thailand.

Oil prices briefly topped US$100 a barrel on Thursday reflecting panic in the first hours of the Russian invasion, the first time they’ve surpassed the US$100 mark since 2014, but they fallen back slightly since. In the 2020’s the average price was about US$39 a barrel.

So far there hasn’t been any immediate, or tangible, increase in flight prices inside Thailand, or internationally, but aviation experts believe that it’s just a matter of time.

They note that airlines with the youngest fleets, and the most fuel-efficient aircraft, will suffer the least as a direct result of the rising oil and, consequently, av-gas prices.

Thai Airways still has Thailand’s oldest fleet of aircraft.

Following this week’s alteration of Test & Go program requirements, removing the pre-paid PCR test and night of accommodation on Day 5 (and replacing it with a self-ATK test to be uploaded onto the Mor Phrom App), tourism operators expect an uptick of new bookings, but fresh applications for the Thailand Pass remain under original predictions.

Tourism operators also believe that nurturing the newer feeder markets, of India and Saudi Arabia, will play a crucial role, both during the ongoing tensions in Central Europe, and the onset of Thailand’s low season.

Then there’s the surge in cases of Omicron in Thailand and how the government will react to that over the coming month.

Source - The Thaiger

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

Only 15,000 booked to arrive in Thailand next week

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said on Friday that 27 international flights are set to land in Thailand from November 1 to 5.
The country is reopening on Monday to three types of tourists, namely double jabbed visitors from 46 countries and territories, fully jabbed tourists allowed to travel in the 17-province “blue zone” and tourists who agree to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

CAAT said the 27 flights are scheduled to land in both Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phuket International Airport and will deliver 15,230 passengers.

The airlines include Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, KLM, Air India, Edelweiss Air, Lufthansa, Air France, Etihad Airways among others.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said Thailand was ready to welcome tourists, especially those who come by air.

CAAT has been instructed to release guidelines on entering and exiting the country in different languages and ensure the regulations are announced onboard every flight heading to the country.

Source - BangkokJack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

#Thailand's most important airports are going smoke-free

Goodbye smoking lounges

Smoking is no longer allowed inside the passenger buildings at six of Thailand's main airports.

As of Sun, Feb 3, Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai and Mae Fah Luang airports, all operated by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), have been declared no-smoking zones with fines of up to B5,000 (around US$160) for any violators.

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The move is in accordance with the 2017 Tobacco Control Act and a 2018 Public Health Ministry announcement requiring all offices of government agencies and state enterprises, which includes airports, to assign no-smoking areas.

According to Bangkok Post, the AoT has instructed staff at the six airports to arrange smoking areas outside the passenger buildings
 

Passenger traffic at Bangkok’s two airports, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi, both affected by the change, exceeded 100 million in 2018. 

Source - Thaiger