The new e-passport to be rolled out mid-year includes anti-fraud features, such as a “window lock” technique and the recognition system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.
Thani Thongphakdi, the MFA deputy permanent secretary, said the DGM Consortium won a tender for the Electronic Passport (Third Phase) and is working on the new passports. “The company won the auction and signed the contract with the MFA last week. The company is now installing a system and will complete it in nine months,” he said yesterday.
Mr Thani said the new e-passport service will improve in speed and efficiency. “The system will shorten the processing time for passport applications from 20 to 12 minutes and the waiting time for passport production to just one day, down from two now. Moreover, we will increase the number of service centres from 319 to 500,” he said.
Mr Thani said the new e-passport document will also include new security features. “We will replace image perforation with a “window lock” technique (a new anti-fraud product from Gemalto). Singapore and Finland already use this advanced technology in e-passports. Other countries also implement it in ID cards and driving licences,” he said.
According to Gemalto, the window-lock technique creates layers of images to protect the passport holder's portrait from change, which mitigates the risk of counterfeiting.
Mr Thani indicated the new e-passport will heighten security with the iris recognition system. “Biometric data are useful for verifying the identity of the passport holder. In addition to facial images and fingerprints, we are looking to implement the iris recognition system in line with other countries using this technique in transactions. The Ministry of Labour is also using this method to detect illegal migrant workers,” he said.
The MFA will also design the new cover of the e-passport. “It will feature traditional artistic lines to promote our culture,” he added.
Mr Thani dismissed claims the new e-passport has fewer security standards. “There are many technology options. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has issued a guideline on security features in e-passports, but does not specify which technologies are to be used. We are open to proposals put forward by companies,” he said.