The Thai Passport: High-tech gateway to the future
Thailand's innovative ePassport, in which cultural pride meets cutting-edge security, was developed in partnership with Thales. Over the course of seven years, the rollout of 15 million advanced ePassports reflects Thai heritage while incorporating state-of-the-art technology.
In 2018, Thailand introduced a 20-year visionary plan designed to foster an innovative, dynamic and values-driven economy. This comprehensive program seeks to boost creativity, research and development, as well as the utilization of advanced, sustainable technologies.
As part of this initiative, in July 2019, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) awarded the DGM Consortium - comprising Gemalto, a Thales company, Data Products Toppan Forms Ltd. and Multicert - a contract for the provision of technologically advanced ePassports over a seven-year period. MoFA's requirements included a complete, end-to-end passport system that integrates all the essential components required to set new standards for security, customer service, resilience and efficiency. Key elements of the solution encompass: enrolment processes, Identity Management System, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) and passport issuance systems.
The contract operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. In addition to providing passport booklets and implementing all aspects of the new system, Thales takes responsibility for the daily operation and management of the program.
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