The Thai government has approved the use of digital IDs to verify passengers’ identities when boarding domestic flights. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has given the go-ahead for the use of digital ID following the rollout of the D.DOPA mobile application. Digital IDs for Boarding Flights

D.DOPA was developed by the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) for registering a digital ID. It can be used on both the iOS and Android platforms.

Traisulee said passengers must present a digital ID from a recognized mobile application developed by a state agency, such as D.DOPA or the DLT QR Licence developed by the Department of Land Transport. Screenshots and photos of physical ID cards are not allowed due to the high risk of fabrication.

Several other state agencies including the Revenue Department are now linked with D.DOPA for the e-filing of personal income tax.

To register a digital ID, people must scan a QR code for two-factor authentication, and fill out a Personal Data Protection Act consent form.

The DPA earlier sent a notification to every provincial office and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration telling their officials not to deny services to people who present an electronic ID.

This is in line with Section 14 of the Digital Public Service Act, which focuses on encouraging the use of digital ID instead of physical documents.

According to the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, the government aims to have 10 million registrants for digital ID systems by the end of this year.

Digital IDs for Boarding Flights: Which Countries Have Implemented Them Already?

Several countries have already implemented digital IDs for boarding flights, either through dedicated apps or government-issued digital ID systems. Some examples include:

• Australia: The Australian government has developed the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) system, which allows travelers to submit their travel and health information online before boarding their flights. The DPD can be accessed through the myGov platform, and travelers can use their digital ID to verify their identity when submitting the declaration.
• Estonia: Estonia has been a pioneer in digital identity and has implemented an e-Residency program that allows individuals to apply for a government-issued digital ID card. The e-Residency card can be used to access a range of government services, including online voting, tax filing, and healthcare, as well as to verify identity when traveling. Digital IDs for Boarding Flights
• Japan: Japan has introduced a digital ID system called the “My Number” card, which is a government-issued ID card that includes a digital signature and can be used for a range of purposes, including boarding flights.
• Norway: Norway has implemented a digital ID system called BankID, which is issued by banks and can be used to verify identity online and access a range of government and commercial services, including boarding flights.
• Singapore: The Singapore government has developed the SingPass mobile app, which can be used as a digital ID for a range of purposes, including boarding flights.
• Sweden: Sweden has implemented a digital ID system called BankID, which is issued by banks and can be used to verify identity online and access a range of government and commercial services, including boarding flights.

It’s worth noting that the availability and use of digital IDs for boarding flights can vary depending on the airline and airport, so travelers should always check with their airline or airport for specific requirements and guidelines.

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