Welcome to a tale of Thailand's journey into the future with a pioneering ePassport initiative that marries cultural pride with cutting-edge security. Here's where innovation meets tradition, and each of the 15 million state-of-the-art ePassports being rolled out over seven years tells a story of Thai heritage wrapped in advanced technologies. We will reveal why the Thai passport sets a new global benchmark for travel with a public-private partnership model reshaping the identity management landscape.
Ready to flip through the pages of this high-tech passport that promises seamless borders and fortified privacy?
Let's dive in.
Innovation and Heritage: The ePassport Chronicles
Embarking on the transformative Thailand 4.0 journey, the Thai government set its sights on a future where innovation and a dynamic economy are central.
It's a vision stretching over two decades, aiming to bolster creativity, R&D, and the adoption of advanced, sustainable technologies.
In the spirit of this vision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs selected the DGM Consortium—encompassing industry heavyweights and experts like Thales (ex-Gemalto), Data Products Toppan Forms Ltd., and Multicert—in July 2019.
Their mission?
To deliver 15 million state-of-the-art Thai ePassports over the next seven years, marking one of the most ambitious projects Thales has embarked upon.
The Ministry's mandate was clear: they wanted a holistic passport system that redefines the benchmarks for security, customer service, resilience, and efficiency.
This comprehensive system would integrate the full spectrum of passport services—from enrolment to issuance.
Underpinned by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Thales has not just been tasked with providing the passport booklets but also with the daily operations of the program, adhering to the stringent Service Level Agreement (SLA) set forth by the Ministry.
Yes, you're right. The scope of Thales' deliverables is vast.
Let's explore it now.
Crafting National Pride: The Art of the Thai ePassport
Switching gears to the ePassport itself, Thales has crafted a document that's as much a travel essential as a work of art.
Each of the 66 pages tells a story, instilling pride in every Thai citizen who holds it.
The design team at Thales has expertly blended striking aesthetics with the strongest of security features.
The motifs are deeply rooted in Thai culture. Notably, they feature the Wat Arun temple and the traditional four-petal lotus symbol, among over 70 security features handpicked from Thales' extensive repertoire.
Thales has ensured a highly secure travel document and a symbol of national pride in delivering these passports, reflecting Thailand's rich history and culture.
The result?
A sophisticated, chip-embedded passport, complete with an e-Cover and a polycarbonate data page that's durable and flexible.
It includes a secondary image of the holder and a high-definition UV photo—part of an arsenal of security features that align with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) stringent standards.
Let's unravel the layers of security that Thales has woven into the very fabric of the ePassport, ensuring both durability and authenticity.
The Fabric of Security: Thales' Technological Canvas
At the core of the e-passport's security is the polycarbonate data page that includes an e-Cover.
This feature not only adds durability but also integrates various anti-forgery elements.
For example, the data page showcases a high-definition, true-color UV image of the Wat Arun temple—an iconic Bangkok landmark visible under ultraviolet light.
This UV image is complemented by a secondary portrait of the citizen, perforated in a semi-transparent window.
Thales' Secure Surface technology further enhances the security features. It offers optical elements with light-reflective and animation effects visible at different angles, which are vital for swift and effective verification by border control staff.
Why?
These animation effects are unique and difficult to replicate.
They provide a clear and immediate visual cue that helps border officials quickly confirm the authenticity of a passport, allowing for rapid processing of travellers without compromising security.
In addition, the citizen's tactile signature is embossed on the data page.
Biometric and biographic data are securely embedded into the passport chip, ensuring a seamless and secure travel experience.
The performance of the passport's embedded software allows for rapid border crossing and complies with the highest security standards recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In short, Thales' software provides robust security for identifying and protecting citizens' privacy.
Additional Security Features
The Thailand passport also includes advanced security features like Dynaprint, which protects reproduction by showcasing image-changing effects when the document is tilted.
True Vision offers a high-resolution, true-color UV image of the passport holder, facilitating easy recognition.
There's more.
The Thales Gemalto Window Lock further fortifies security using a metallic substrate in the document's transparent window. This substrate is personalised using laser ablation to create secondary portraits that interlock with the primary image, making alterations virtually impossible.
The journey from application to delivery is seamless, thanks to Thales' integrated approach to the enrolment and issuance process.
Enrolment and Issuance Process Enhanced by Thales' Technology
A key component of the Thai passport renewal and issuance process is exceptional service quality, ensuring a smooth transition from enrolment to delivery.
Across Thailand, there are enrolment sites equipped with fixed booths and self-service kiosks.
Besides established enrolment booths staffed for full assistance, self-service kiosks have been deployed to empower citizens to navigate their enrolment process independently.
Staff remain available to help as needed and safeguard against fraudulent application attempts.
Biometric data in facial, fingerprint, and iris forms are captured and swiftly validated this information against governmental databases and watchlists.
Furthermore, trained staff utilise mobile enrolment kits to conduct regular outreach campaigns, extending service reach to remote areas of Thailand.
This initiative guarantees that all citizens, especially those distant from stationary enrolment centres, can access services with ease and convenience.
Advanced System Architect and Strategic Project Management
The infrastructure supporting the Thailand epassport includes a comprehensive system to manage applications locally and abroad.
The system's architecture has been carefully designed to ensure mission-critical production with high availability.
Networks, applications, and databases are set up for optimal performance and resilience.
This robust setup includes load balancing and built-in redundancy to uphold network connectivity, even in case of hardware failures.
Needless to say, the project's ambitious scale necessitated a strong project management approach, which was particularly tested by the global pandemic.
Two local production centres, each with a dedicated data centre, ensure secure record management and reliability, further underscored by its ISO27001 certification.
Efficiency in Production and Personalisation
For those applying for a Thai passport, options include standard postal delivery within 24 hours and urgent service reading passports for collection within three hours.
For the Thai ePassport program, high-throughput production and meticulous personalisation are not just objectives but actual achievements that define its success.
Exceeding Expectations: Meeting and surpassing SLA Targets
Additionally, Thales has rolled out applicants satisfaction survey since early 2023, with over 200,000 respondents and more than 95% expressing satisfaction, underscoring Thales's commitment to exceptional customer service.
Lastly, investing in people is as important as investing in technology, and Thales' upskilling initiative is paving the way for sustainable growth.
Upskilling and Knowledge Transfer: Investing in Thailand's Future
The upskilling initiative has seen Thales train over 500 local staff, aligning with the Thailand 4.0 objective to synchronise local skills with technological growth.
This knowledge transfer is crucial, ensuring the workforce is well-equipped to provide outstanding service.
Partnership and Progress: The PPP Model's Role in Thailand's Tech Evolution
The Thai passport project is a shining example of how public-private partnerships can significantly contribute to a nation's security and technological advancement.
Through this initiative, Thales has established itself as a pivotal partner in Thailand's push towards a digital future, providing a sophisticated solution that meets the nation's security needs while also supporting its economic and technological development.