Asian Games to introduce smart tickets

JAKARTA (JP): The Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) has introduced new technology to ensure ticket validity for the Dec. 6 to Dec. 20 event.

Dubbed the "Supersmart Tickets", each ticket for the opening and closing ceremonies will incorporate a microchip which emits a radio signal. Ticket holders will slide the credit card-sized tickets into scanning machines at the entrance of the Rajamangala Stadium to automatically open the gate's bar.

Organizers said use of the technology would foil any attempts to counterfeit tickets.

During the Games, the tickets can serve as phone cards and cash cards to pay taxi fares, food and beverage.

BAGOC has issued 52,220 tickets for the ceremonies. They are sold at between 1,000 and 5,000 bahts (US$25 and $125). Most tickets are priced at 3,000 bahts (US$75).

Tickets for all 36 official sports and two exhibition events will go on sale Sep. 1. Prices range between 10 bahts and 800 bahts ($25 U.S. cents to $20).

Several competition stages in 14 sports will be open to the public at no charge. The sports are archery, baseball, rowing and canoeing, equestrian, Indian traditional games Kabaddi, softball, squash, yachting, bowling, handball, golf, hockey, soft tennis and rugby.

This year's Asiad, the fourth to be staged in Thailand, is expected to host more than 10,000 athletes and officials from 43 countries. The sportsmen and women will vie for 377 gold medals. (yan)