Facial recognition for international flights

[Gaybutton]

I wonder how often it is necessary to update your face photo. If someone registers at, say, age 35, not all that many years later his face will probably have significantly changed. Also, accidents can happen. Surgery, etc. I am assuming traditional ways to be permitted to board flights will remain available.
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AOT confirms facial recognition for international flights

by Ryan Turner

November 28, 2024

Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) yesterday announced that the state-owned enterprise will implement facial recognition services at six major airports for international flights starting December 1.

The biometrics-based system will be deployed at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Don Mueang, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. AOT anticipates the new technology will significantly streamline the passenger experience, reducing checkpoint processing time for registered travellers from three minutes to just one minute.

Travellers can register for the automated biometric identification system through two primary methods: by working with airline staff at traditional check-in counters or by using common-use self-service (CUSS) check-in counters.

During registration, passengers will have their faces scanned into the system.

After completing registration, travellers will be able to use Common Use Bag Drop (CUBD) machines to check their luggage without needing to present their boarding passes or passports.

In compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act, AOT has committed to erasing all stored biometric data within 48 hours of registration.

The facial recognition service was initially introduced for domestic flights on November 1 and is now expanding to include international travel, reported Bangkok Post.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/ao ... al-flights

[Jun]

I wonder how often it is necessary to update your face photo.

The data wii be erased after 48 hours according to the article.

I think it's so you don't need to present your passport more than once on that particular departure. I don't see the point.

What I would happily do is consent to them storing my details permanently, just as long as I could use the e-Passport gates. However, to be fair, the manned immigration was very quick this time.

[Jun]

There are 3 security areas at BKK airport. Starting midway between them, I noticed fewer people at #2, so went there. I was sent away as that's for facial recognition only.

I hadn't noticed any registration machine when checking in. The boarding pass is needed just twice, so what is the point of this facial recognition ?

Despite this, baggage drop, security and passport control were cleared in 16 minutes total. The best yet for BKK. Including the e-passport gate when exiting. Fast and not wasting space in my passport.

[whitedesire]

I wonder if Ryanair are travelling there. For those who don't know who Rynair is, it's a UK / Irish airline that has streamlined it services such as luggage checkin etc

[Jun]

For those who don't know who Rynair is, it's a UK / Irish airline

As a British citizen, I have to make it clear. Ryan Air are definitely an Irish company. Dr Ryan was Irish. Their CEO is Irish. Their HQ is in Ireland.
They don't fly long haul, so fortunately we don't see them in Bangkok.

Even without the facial recognition, that was my most efficient exit through Suvarnabhumi so far.

Come Fly With Me.....
https://www.youtube.com/embed/FvtS_alZt ... p;start=55

[Jun]

This time, I googled facial recognition before visiting Suvarnabhumi. Apparently, you register for it at check in.

Most of the check ins are done by machine. I noticed the machine has a camera, so thought this might register me. I examined the boarding pass, but there was no indication of registration. I asked the attendant and he had no idea. Poor implementation.

However, what I can say is without facial recognition, it took 13 minutes from walking into the airport to being airside. That included machine check-in (no queue), baggage drop (no queue), a visit to the bathroom, security (no queue) & a passport checking machine (just one person in front).
Very efficient.

Airside, it seems Kasikorn have some lounge areas. I counted at least 4 of them, with an average of 0.5 customers per lounge. Apparently you need 1500 K-points to get in. I'd never heard of them, but my Kasikorn app shows 0 K-points & I haven't seen a proper explanation about how to obtain them. So I went elsewhere for a coffee.

[Gaybutton]

I'd never heard of them, but my Kasikorn app shows 0 K-points & I haven't seen a proper explanation about how to obtain them.

Until your post, neither had I. I have been a K-bank customer for many years and have done thousands of transactions with them, including earlier today. I opened their app and checked how many K-points I have accumulated over the years. You know how many of those points I have? 0

I did a Google search for how to get these K-points. Here's what came up:

"K-Points are Kasikorn Bank's reward points system. You can earn K-Points by using your K-Credit Card for purchases and through various promotions offered by the bank. You can also earn K-Points by using K PLUS for certain transactions, such as paying for LINE MAN".

I don't have a K-bank credit card. Only their debit card. I do have their K PLUS app, though. I guess I've never done the right kinds of transactions . . .