Suspension of TM6 Arrival Form Extended to Boost Tourism

[webfact]

 

In a bid to alleviate bottlenecks at immigration and stimulate tourism, the suspension of the TM6 form requirement for travellers entering Thailand has been extended until 30 April next year.

 

This move comes as the authorities continue to develop the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which is anticipated to streamline travel processes further and could incorporate tourism fee collection.

 

The suspension initially began on 15 April and was set to end this week. However, the decision to prolong it was approved by the cabinet, aiming to enhance border crossing efficiency, reduce congestion, and bolster economic growth through increased tourist flow.

 

The TM6 form suspension covers 16 key land and sea checkpoints, including Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo, Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai, and Padang Besar in Songkhla.

 

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is spearheading the development of the ETA system, which promises an online registration platform for tourists entering Thailand from 93 visa-exempt countries.

Upon registration, tourists will receive a QR code, allowing them to pass through automated immigration gates seamlessly.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, noted the potential benefits, stating that simplifying arrivals could boost daily Malaysian tourist entries to Songkhla by 50% compared to when the TM6 form was mandatory.

 

Despite the positive outlook, tourism experts express concerns over the need for new attractions in the Deep South to maintain momentum. While current attractions entice visitors for short stays, long-term tourism development requires fresh, appealing destinations.

 

Songchai Mungprasithichai, from Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, emphasised efficient tourism fee collection. With at least 10,000 daily commuters via southern checkpoints, the focus remains on facilitating smooth travel while ensuring fees support new tourism ventures to enhance competitiveness and create jobs, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Picture courtesy: Police News

 

-- 2024-10-16

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

What a joke.

Jubilation about one form abolished that was never taken too seriously.

And the same time pushing forward for the ETA which already led to confusion and uncertainties.

[garygooner]

TM6 vs ETA ... think many people would prefer the TM6. 

[Presnock]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

What a joke.

Jubilation about one form abolished that was never taken too seriously.

And the same time pushing forward for the ETA which already led to confusion and uncertainties.

HEY, the authorities are saying it will facilitate the COLLECTION of entrance fees!  that is the only concern of these people anyway.  TM.6 dropped for a while again what a joke!

 

[NaaKap]

Every few months it is just a confusing litany of rollouts and rollbacks of one thing or another. As soon as you get your head around something they move the goalposts. I for one am getting thoroughly sick of swotting up on all the nuances of the Thai visa systems. I really wish they would leave well enough alone. If it ain't broke..... 

[Nick Carter icp]

What purpose does the TM 6 serve ?

What are they supposed to do ?

[phetphet]

Stimulate tourism? How much more do they want?

 

When is enough, enough?

[newbee2022]

Yes, after this announcement tourists will flog to enter Thailand. TM6 was a very difficult hurdle to come to paradise. Sure.

[bristolgeoff]

TM6 no more or ETA like other countries online.Tm6 was filled out on the plane sometimes or while u waited to enter.The electronic entry card will probadly happen when it is ready.But the tm6 was easy enough 

[Jonathan Swift]

19 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

What purpose does the TM 6 serve ?

What are they supposed to do ?

For practice in filling out silly government forms

[SbuxPlease]

There's at least one bureaucrat somewhere in immigration having an existential crisis about his precious TM6

[Frankie baby]

Nothing wrong are complicated with the TM6 forms except if you lose them.

[dallen52]

But if you do a land crossing the TM6 is still given to you.

[proton]

1 hour ago, bristolgeoff said:

TM6 no more or ETA like other countries online.Tm6 was filled out on the plane sometimes or while u waited to enter.The electronic entry card will probadly happen when it is ready.But the tm6 was easy enough 

 

You could write any old nonsense on it as well

[harryviking]

I have not seen a TM6 that we used to fill out on the planes for years! So what is this? ETA is a damn joke and is totally not necessary! Can Thailand please stop all this visa confusing BS and keep things steady for a while! This confusion makes me sick and wanting to change destination! There are millions of people that always shy away from PC's, so I am sure Thailand will LOSE tourists instead of gaining! And why the desperation to have tourists?? Sounds like they soon are willing to sell the country for a few dollars!!🤮

[tandor]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Yes, after this announcement tourists will flog to enter Thailand. TM6 was a very difficult hurdle to come to paradise. Sure.

so where will these 'flogging stations' be set up  

[madmitch]

Why the negativity re the ETA? The whole world seems to be moving in this direction. Can you imagine the manual work required in processing the TM6 when all this will be processed electronically through the ETA.

 

It's the future of travel and we have to learn to live with it.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

In a bid to alleviate bottlenecks at immigration and stimulate tourism, the suspension of the TM6 form requirement for travellers entering Thailand has been extended until 30 April next year.

Whoopy doo

[johng]

53 minutes ago, proton said:

 

You could write any old nonsense on it as well

I frequently did

[johng]

17 minutes ago, madmitch said:

It's the future of travel and we have to learn to live with it.

 

The future is bright the future is orange ! ...why do we have to learn to live with it ?

some times if it ain't broken then don't fix it,  and everyone should have the chance at a job  from the farmer growing the tree to the immigration officer scrutinising the travel document  much like the CBDC's  once it is all digital then its all "game over" 

[sambum]

2 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

For practice in filling out silly government forms

And there's plenty of those! 

[Cabradelmar]

easy choice as the form has no value

[biggles45]

Philippines has a working EPass system. Twice now when using it from my phone I have had it lock when trying to enter my flight number. I had to find an internet cafe and do it on a pc, which worked fine. A few people on line had the same problem. 

Imagine this happening when you try to fill it out just before leaving for the airport! 

[Jorgendk]

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

Why the negativity re the ETA? The whole world seems to be moving in this direction. Can you imagine the manual work required in processing the TM6 when all this will be processed electronically through the ETA.

 

It's the future of travel and we have to learn to live with it.

ETA is joust another word for a Visa
You can come Visa ekstremt,. så you need at ETA insted. Sounds better

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, harryviking said:

So what is this? ETA is a damn joke and is totally not necessary!

Take it up with the US, they started the all rolling.

[Puccini]

1 hour ago, harryviking said:

I have not seen a TM6 that we used to fill out on the planes for years! So what is this?…

 

The chronology of the TM.6 requirement apparently is like this:

1. Once upon a time, all aliens arriving in Thailand had to fill out the TM.6 arrival/departure card.
2. Then, a few years ago, this requirement was abolished for aliens arriving by air.
3. Starting from 15 April 2024, the requirement was suspended for aliens arriving at 16 key land and sea checkpoints, including Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo, Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai, and Padang Besar in Songkhla for a period of six months, ie until 15 October 2024.
4. On 15 October 2024, the suspension for aliens arriving at 16 key land and sea checkpoints has been extended until 30 April 2025.

[sabaijai]

2 hours ago, dallen52 said:

But if you do a land crossing the TM6 is still given to you.

Not anymore. They also did away with it at land crossings, not too long ago.

[VBF]

46 minutes ago, Jorgendk said:

ETA is joust another word for a Visa
You can come Visa ekstremt,. så you need at ETA insted. Sounds better

You are correct, except of course that when (if?) the ETA is introduced, you will have to pay for it.  

The TM6 was free and for those of us with just a little bit of common sense, took about 5 minutes to fill in on the aircraft, and then placed inside the passport.

 

As @madmitch said, it's the way the world is going. For us in UK, since Brexit, we're going to have to do something similar to visit Europe and of course the USA requires an ESTA 

[arick]

3 hours ago, Frankie baby said:

Nothing wrong are complicated with the TM6 forms except if you lose them.

Then pay a dollar like in loas 

[kennypowers]

Oh come on! I can't believe they plan to bring it back anyway. Manually filling out an arrival card? It's not 1980.