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 3 hours ago by Pattaya57

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

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?)

Not posting as facts. Of course it's not MFA. 

Information regarding this ETA sketchy at best. 

Siam Legal have same requirements posted.

Time will tell. 

[Pattaya57]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not posting as facts. Of course it's not MFA. 

Information regarding this ETA sketchy at best. 

So then why are you posting that you are concerned by the requirements listed on that "sketchy at best" Indian website?

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Pattaya57

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

So then why are you posting that you are concerned by the requirements listed on that "sketchy at best" Indian website?

 

Here is MFA site re ETA.

http://www.thaievisa.go.th/ 

 

You try and find useful information.

 

[Pattaya57]

As for the reason of ETA delay, I read over a month ago it was because they are going to use the e-visa application portal for ETA applications, however e-visa is not available in all of the 93 countries now eligible for visa exempt entries.

 

So it's not workable until all 93 countries can apply for e-visa

[VBF]

2 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

3 hours 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?

They're pretty much the same as the current requirements for a Tourist Visa from London.

If that was implemented, the ETA would simply become a tourist visa in all but name!

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, VBF said:

If that was implemented, the ETA would simply become a tourist visa in all but name!

Agree, however the visa exempt is free. 

SETV has an application fee and to make matters worse both options now grant same 60 day stamp. 

[VBF]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Agree, however the visa exempt is free. 

SETV has an application fee and to make matters worse both options now grant same 60 day stamp. 

Agreed - I was thinking that when I posted. Your concurrence simply illustrates how badly thought through the ETA actually is!

Of course, as it hasn't actually been implemented (yet?) we none of us really knows what will actually happen.

 

My personal feeling is that the ETA is only being considered to bring Thailand into line with USA and Europe in the eyes of "the powers that be"

[Pattaya57]

20 minutes ago, VBF said:

They're pretty much the same as the current requirements for a Tourist Visa from London.

If that was implemented, the ETA would simply become a tourist visa in all but name!

That's why it can't be true. I travelled extensively to Thailand on visa exempts between 2008-23. If I had to do an ETA that required proof of money, inward/outward flights and hotel accommodation every time I'd be retired somewhere else right now. There's no way I would have gone through with that hassle when other countries are easier to visit by just getting on the plane with your passport.

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Pattaya57

[VBF]

1 minute ago, Pattaya57 said:

That's why it can't be true. I travelled extensively to Thailand on visa exempts between 2008-23. If I had to do an ETA that required proof on inward/outward flights and hotel accommodation I'd be retired somewhere else right now as there's no way I would have done it.

Given the history of inexplicable and apparently illogical changes to the system, I think perhaps your choice of the word "can't" might be better as "shouldn't" 🙄

[DrJack54]

Off topic: Thailand perhaps introducing ETA.

What about Vietnam that has many countries likewise visa exempt available. Will things change there.

 

I'm unaware as Oz folk need tourist visa to enter Vietnam.