Facial recognition technology lands at Thai airports

Facial recognition technology lands at Thai airports

November 4th, 2024. Thailand has introduced a biometric identification system at six airports for domestic travellers. The airports are; Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang in Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai.

Enrolment into the system can be completed at airline check-in counters or at self-check-in kiosks. Facial data will be recorded along with passport scans and travel itineraries. The system will allow passengers to move from baggage drop to boarding gate without the need to show passports or boarding passes. Each registration is valid for only one journey.

The system will be rolled out to international passengers from December 1st.

This follows the announcement earlier that an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be required for all visa-free travellers.

Relavant: ETA for visa-free travellers to Thailand

China makes more countries eligible for visa-free entry

Starting from November 8th citizens of nine more countries will be eligible for visa-free entry to China. The new additions are; Andorra, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Slovakia, and South Korea.

Visitors are allowed to remain in the country for up to 15 days for either business or leisure activities. The gradual easing of visa restrictions is a move to encourage inbound tourism. Visitors may reenter the country as many times as they like but any one visit can not exceed the 15-day maximum.

The new additions join the fifteen nations that already enjoy visa-free entry; Austria, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland.

The visa-free scheme runs until the end of 2025.

Holders of passports from a further 59 countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, may enter the country for up to 72 or 144 hours depending on the port of arrival. For full details see the National Immigration Administration webpage

Picture: Check-in counters at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport ©David Sutton/themangoroad.com