The Thai ETA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation)

[ozfarang]

When does the Thai ETA begin.

 

Haven't heard anything about it for a while. I'm arriving 16 February 2025, will I need an ETA to enter?

[DrJack54]

Assume you are arriving visa exempt.

I haven't seen updates and guessing it will be delayed.

https://eta.in.th/en 

[Pattaya57]

 

[Phillip9]

13 hours ago, ozfarang said:

When does the Thai ETA begin.

My best guess--never. 

 

Considering how bad their IT systems are, I doubt they can ever succesfully implenent a system that can handle the 100,000+ people arriving daily.

[harryviking]

11 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

My best guess--never. 

 

Considering how bad their IT systems are, I doubt they can ever succesfully implenent a system that can handle the 100,000+ people arriving daily.

It might even become a disaster for many people already bought their tickets and then the site crashes and leave these people with no chance to enter their flight! Thailand should stop trying to be so damn high tech! They just cannot handle it 100 pct!!

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, harryviking said:

It might even become a disaster for many people already bought their tickets and then the site crashes and leave these people with no chance to enter their flight!

I don't see that as an issue.

If "the site crashes" it would simply not be required.

 

What's more concerning (imo) is listed requirements. 

From link I posted earlier...

 

• A valid passport
• Proof of travel plans, including tickets into and out of Thailand
• Accommodation details, such as hotel bookings or residential addresses
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support their stay (e.g., 10,000 THB for single travelers, 20,000 THB per family).     

 

• If such items actually included flight tickets (especially onward/return), "evidence" of sufficient funds, etc then that would put some folk off

[Upnotover]

12 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

My best guess--never. 

 

Considering how bad their IT systems are, I doubt they can ever succesfully implenent a system that can handle the 100,000+ people arriving daily.

The immigration system works rather well already.  It handles all entries and exits, knows the history of each person, ties old passports to new, etc. I have never been delayed in either direction by a "system failure".  If there is a problem it is likely with them working out how to collect their THB 300 from "tourists" -  I suspect this is the cause of the current delays.

[tomazbodner]

18 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I don't see that as an issue.

If "the site crashes" it would simply be not required.

What's more concerning (imo) is listed requirements. 

From link I posted earlier...

• A valid passport
• Proof of travel plans, including tickets into and out of Thailand
• Accommodation details, such as hotel bookings or residential addresses
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support their stay (e.g., 10,000 THB for single travelers, 20,000 THB per family).     

 

• If such items actually included flight tickets (especially onward/return), "evidence" of sufficient funds, etc then that would put some folk off

Aren't those current requirements for an exempt entry?

[Phillip9]

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I don't see that as an issue.

If "the site crashes" it would simply not be required.

 

When any country implements this kind of system, it becomes one of the requirements you need to complete before you can board your flight.  

 

They would need to have some kind of backup plan to communicate to all the dozens of airlines that the system crashed and its no longer required.  It certainly wouldn't be simple, and there would be a lot of panicked passengers trying to complete it worried they would not able to get on their flight.

 

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, tomazbodner said:

Aren't those current requirements for an exempt entry?

They are, however take just couple of examples. 

Onward flight: for many folk reporting they often fly visa exempt without onward flight that might change things.

 

Financials: not sure how that is shown (proved) prior to entering Thailand. It's meaningless. 

The funds (while rarely checked) is about having it on your person upon entry to Thailand.

 

Proof of accommodation: the address of where you stay required previously on TM6 ...was commonly "Nana Hotel Soi 4 Sukhumvit" nonsense address.

I wouldn't lose sleep over this nonsense. 

 

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Phillip9 said:

They would need to have some kind of backup plan to communicate to all the dozens of airlines that the system crashed and its no longer required.  

You could be correct.

My guess (no rhyme or reason) is that a simple "ETA not required at this time" 

The items that are listed as requirements for the ETA are currently done with ease by the airlines and immigration.

 

Like the plain sentence from @Upnotover above ...

"The immigration system works rather well already" 

 

Personally don't see a purpose for new bit of paperwork.

 

 

 

[Pattaya57]

On 11/28/2024 at 1:22 PM, DrJack54 said:

Assume you are arriving visa exempt.

I haven't seen updates and guessing it will be delayed.

https://eta.in.th/en 

 

 

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

What's more concerning (imo) is listed requirements. 

From link I posted earlier...

 

• A valid passport
• Proof of travel plans, including tickets into and out of Thailand
• Accommodation details, such as hotel bookings or residential addresses
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support their stay (e.g., 10,000 THB for single travelers, 20,000 THB per family).     

 

You are quoting ETA requirements as fact but the link you posted is not an official Thailand website (Isn't eta.in a random Indian domain website?)

 

I have not seen anywhere formal that you have to provide proof of flights, money and accommodation for an ETA application as you state

 

Edited 7 minutes ago by Pattaya57