Thailand's New Digital Arrival Card Stirs Confusion Among Travellers

[webfact]

Image: TAT newsroom

 

ANALYSIS

 

The impending introduction of Thailand's digital entry card requirement has left many potential visitors in a muddle, as questions about its implementation remain unanswered just weeks before its anticipated launch. 

 

As of May 1, all non-Thai passport holders travelling to the country will need to complete an online form, the Thai Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), ahead of their arrival.

 

This measure is designed to replace the now-defunct TM6 entry card, which travellers and immigration officials alike found cumbersome due to its small size and the frequent lack of pens handy after long-haul flights.

 

The TDAC will require travellers to input basic biographical information as well as details regarding their travel and accommodation plans. The new system will apply universally to those entering by air, land, or sea.

However, the precise digital platform intended to facilitate these submissions has yet to be disclosed by Thai authorities, leaving both travellers and airlines in an anticipatory limbo, writes Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail.

 

It is assumed that once travellers submit their details online, they will receive a confirmation in the form of a QR code. This code can then presumably be presented at the immigration desks or potentially at the electronic gates featured at some Thai airports.

 

There is also speculation that the TDAC may serve as a customs declaration form, although official confirmation has yet to be provided. Reports suggesting the introduction of an exit procedure akin to the TDAC have also surfaced, but they remain unsubstantiated at this point.

 

One significant source of confusion has been the distinction between the TDAC and a visa application. Although separate processes, a misunderstanding has led to concerns among tourists, particularly from the 93 countries whose citizens enjoy visa-exempt status for a 60-day visit, extendable by an additional month.

 

From May, these tourists, along with all other foreign arrivals, regardless of their visa status, will need to embrace the TDAC protocol.

 

Several crucial questions remain unanswered: Will passengers without a completed TDAC be refused boarding by airlines, anxious about potential fines for transporting non-compliant passengers?

 

Will there be any mechanism for completing the TDAC form upon arrival? Will each visit require a new TDAC submission, and what happens if a traveller changes accommodation after submitting their information?

 

With less than two months before the TDAC's expected rollout, these and other queries require urgent clarification. Without timely and thorough communication from Thai authorities, the envisioned seamless travel experience could falter before it even begins, leaving travellers and the tourism industry in a state of flux.

 

-- 2025-02-05

 

 

[redwood1]

How would I present a QR code with my phone?

 

[redwood1]

The impending introduction of Thailand's digital entry card requirement has left many potential visitors in a muddle, as questions about its implementation remain unanswered just weeks before its anticipated launch. 

 

 

Here is a idea......Just scrap the whole worthless plan and there will be no more unanswered questions..........

[anyone]

36 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

How would I present a QR code with my phone?

 

draw it first with a pen on a piece of paper

[ikke1959]

In THailand it is common to do everything at the very last moment... Just a day or 2 before 1st of May they will get answers maybe.. Confusion all over the place always and everywhere. A few weeks ago with the Equal Marriage Law it was the same.. Although the court decided  at the 2nd or 3rd January that the law would be in place the 23rd instead of the 22nd, Mr Anutin had to sign the law to confirm.. And of course he did not do it which confused many Amphurs and organizations. He could only sign it the 20th of January... And that is with everything. In schools every semester it is almost impossible to know when the tests are.. They can change by the day. Sometimes a car drives around in our area to announce that there is a important meeting tonight or tomorrow .....Then Thailand is confused that foreigners don't understand this way of deciding.. No foreigners need  to plan ahead and can't do it like Thais...In THailand they can't plan things

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

Here is a idea......Just scrap the whole worthless plan and there will be no more unanswered questions..........

 

and while they're at it, scrap the 90 days repport...

[bkk6060]

Remember the Covid QR code debacle?

This will probably be similar fill the form out properly and get some frustrating rejection notice.  Good luck.

[Gsxrnz]

"anticipatory limbo"

 

Gotta love it. 

[bdenner]

Great timing. I'm due to return on an international flight on the 2nd May. Looking forward to the confusion in the immigration hall. Being over 70 I usually use the Thai immigration lanes, this could be a challenge!!!

[Denim]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

frequent lack of pens handy

 

Fair point. Those small blue disposable ball point pens cost an absolute fortune, way beyond the airports budget.

 

Thailand + new app = glitch

 

 

[scorecard]

46 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

In THailand it is common to do everything at the very last moment... Just a day or 2 before 1st of May they will get answers maybe.. Confusion all over the place always and everywhere. A few weeks ago with the Equal Marriage Law it was the same.. Although the court decided  at the 2nd or 3rd January that the law would be in place the 23rd instead of the 22nd, Mr Anutin had to sign the law to confirm.. And of course he did not do it which confused many Amphurs and organizations. He could only sign it the 20th of January... And that is with everything. In schools every semester it is almost impossible to know when the tests are.. They can change by the day. Sometimes a car drives around in our area to announce that there is a important meeting tonight or tomorrow .....Then Thailand is confused that foreigners don't understand this way of deciding.. No foreigners need  to plan ahead and can't do it like Thais...In THailand they can't plan things

Another example, the new taxation requirements. After many months still lots of foreigners totally lost and confused. 

 

Surely it would be productive / logical to identify the 'groups' of foreigners who won't be affected and publish this. 

 

e.g. old age pensioners who receive pensions funds every month / 4 weeks from their home country.

 

I'm guessing (just guessing) this is a quite large number of foreigners. Why hasn't the Revenue Department <tax dept.> not (months ago) published the rules etc., pertinent to pensioners?

[Denim]

2 minutes ago, bdenner said:

Great timing. I'm due to return on an international flight on the 2nd May. Looking forward to the confusion in the immigration hall. Being over 70 I usually use the Thai immigration lanes, this could be a challenge!!!

 

Yes...If the confusion is too great and queue too long I might just pretend to feint and get carried through immigration on a stretcher. Quicker and more comfortable. 

[bamnutsak]

On the plus side, one assumes that arriving passengers won't have to provide a hand-drawn map to their lodgings.

 

 

 

[daveAustin]

They want ever more people to visit and right on cue make entry more awkward. Gotta loves the Thais and their ‘right’ way of doing things. 😂

[gejohesch]

17 minutes ago, bdenner said:

Being over 70 I usually use the Thai immigration lanes

I didn't know that was possible. Interesting.

[jollyhangmon]

... muckin' forons that whole lot ... although kinda entertaining, 555 ...

[ChrisY1]

23 minutes ago, gejohesch said:

I didn't know that was possible. Interesting.

There is an "oldies" lane in the Thai area...very quick and efficient

[gejohesch]

4 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

There is an "oldies" lane in the Thai area...very quick and efficient

Thanks, good to know

[phetphet]

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

How would I present a QR code with my phone?

 

 

You might have to print it and cut it out.

[BKKKevin]

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

How would I present a QR code with my phone?

 

 

[Mason45]

One thing I've learn't since I moved to Thailand is that Thais remind me of Errol Flynn. Everything they touch they fu#k.

[CallumWK]

This gonna b fun. It will speed up passing through immigration as much as it speeds up digital payments at the supermarket checkout.

[bamnutsak]

1 hour ago, gejohesch said:

I didn't know that was possible. Interesting.

 

I think over 70 uses the Fast Track option rather than the Thai national lines/desks?

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1336234-no-more-fast-track-immigration-arrivals-at-bkk-airport-for-bizfirst-class-passengers/page/2/#findComment-19174754

 

 

[Patong2021]

It looks like none of the complaining contingent  has traveled elsewhere for several years.  It is Thailand that has been lagging behind.  I was in Japan last month and completed similar , but more detailed using the Visit Japan Web. It went quickly.  South Korea, Canada and the USA have similar, e-documentation requirements.

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

They want ever more people to visit and right on cue make entry more awkward. Gotta loves the Thais and their ‘right’ way of doing things. 😂

 

Are you going to criticize Japan and South Korea too? System works for them and tourism isn't negatively impacted.   It will only be awkward for those with intellectual limitations, They can use the  help lines if need be. Frequent travelers are enthusiastic and support the change.

 

12 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

I think over 70 uses the Fast Track option rather than the Thai national lines/desks?

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1336234-no-more-fast-track-immigration-arrivals-at-bkk-airport-for-bizfirst-class-passengers/page/2/#findComment-19174754

 

I wish this would go away. 70 year olds are not infirm. If they can manage to swallow their viagras and swoosh about Pattaya, then they can use the  general lines like their younger versions. The people who pay for fast track are often stuck behind these people.

 

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

The impending introduction of Thailand's digital entry card requirement has left many potential visitors in a muddle, as questions about its implementation remain unanswered just weeks before its anticipated launch. 

 

Here is a idea......Just scrap the whole worthless plan and there will be no more unanswered questions..........

 

The only people who are left in a muddle are the intellectually challenged. They system is coming. Whether it is in May or in July is a different story. It isn't difficult to check the requirements prior to arriving. The plan isn't worthless and is necessary. It will reduce paper work and improve processing times. It works i other countries like USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea.

[tomazbodner]

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

How would I present a QR code with my phone?

 

By using one of these:

 

[bamnutsak]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Several crucial questions remain unanswered: Will passengers without a completed TDAC be refused boarding by airlines, anxious about potential fines for transporting non-compliant passengers?

 

If they expect airlines to enforce this requirement, and the first point of departure, then they will need many, many more months to implement this.

 

And what is the purpose? The TM6 was suspended for a reason - it was unnecessary and useless, and the TM30 system would be much more reliable in tracking down the wayward tourist.

 

Of the six or seven reasons offered by officials for the TDAC, none ring true.

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

Nothing can happen until mid April.

 

That is when the appropriate officials' nieces and nephews start their school holidays, and are available to put their M5 IT skills to work on the project!

[sqwakvfr]

I went to Kuala Lumpur in early January and they have a digital arrival card  called the MDAC (Malyasia Digita Arrival Card).   Applying for the MDAC was not exactly a seamless process. in the end I got it done and saved the PDF in my phone.  When I arrived at KLIA I was directed to use the automated arrival gates.   I did not have contact with an actual immigration officer so no one actually checked my MDAC. . If LOS actually checks everyone who enters at airports for the TDAC cards then it could slow down the arrival process. As always we will get the details probably on the evening of April 30.  TIT. 

[tomazbodner]

19 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

I went to Kuala Lumpur in early January and they have a digital arrival card  called the MDAC (Malyasia Digita Arrival Card).   Applying for the MDAC was not exactly a seamless process. in the end I got it done and saved the PDF in my phone.  When I arrived at KLIA I was directed to use the automated arrival gates.   I did not have contact with an actual immigration officer so no one actually checked my MDAC. . If LOS actually checks everyone who enters at airports for the TDAC cards then it could slow down the arrival process. As always we will get the details probably on the evening of April 30.  TIT. 

Singapore has a bunch of iPads at the writing desks before immigration where people used to fill in arrival cards by pens, but admittedly it was far faster to fill out paper card than going through a bunch of pages of form that looked much like a visa application. When completed I was asking staff there how to get proof I filled it out and was told to take a photo of confirmation page. At the immigration officer's station I could see my information just typed in appear on his screen. This was my first time there after COVID when I was unaware of this change. The plus side of it of course (had I known about it prior to the flight) would have been filling that form at home and saving myself time and trouble at arrival. In SG, that form needs to be filled out by every tourist, but unsure about Singaporeans (unlikely) or their permanent residents (also unlikely).

[PJ71]

unlikely to happen.