Thailand's Digital Card Chaos: Say Goodbye to TM6, Hello to Confusion!

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Vietnam Investment Review

 

Thailand is scrapping its much-dreaded TM6 arrival form, replacing it with a new digital system—the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)—from May 1.

 

However, travellers should hold off on celebrating as the latest digital venture appears as perplexing as the form it replaces. The TDAC might ease entry formalities eventually, but the system launch is anything but smooth.

 

For years, non-Thai passport holders have filled out blue-and-white cards to enter the country, but the digital transition is meant to streamline this decade-old process.

 

The new system requires entrants to fill in personal, travel, and accommodation data online, promising a seamless experience with a QR code to present at immigration. But alas, the jargon-heavy user manual and an unreliable video tutorial only leave people scratching their heads.

 

As users grapple with a non-functioning tutorial and murky submission procedures, confusion reigns supreme. In fact, there's no word yet on whether travellers must continue carrying a paper form alongside their digital submission.

 

 

 

Screenshots from TDAC website

 

Further complicating matters, the authorities haven't confirmed if the TDAC will double as a customs declaration or whether an exit card is on the horizon.

 

Contrary to visa requirements, the TDAC is a separate consideration. No matter their visa status—whether visa-free for up to 60 days, extended duration, or work permits—foreign nationals must fill out the TDAC. The digital card is part of the grand plan to digitise Thailand's immigration, but right now, users are faced with a tangled web of uncertainty.

 

 

As the May 1 deadline looms, travellers are left wondering if the immigration process will be ready for prime time or if more chaos will ensue. Without clear instructions and user-friendly solutions for tech-challenged visitors, the initiative is in danger of reinforcing red tape, not removing it.

 

How the situation unfolds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Thailand's digital promise is a work-in-progress. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

Based on a report by The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-03-29

 

 

[JoePai]

555 surprise surprise

[Upnotover]

Confusion?  Why?  It's the same information that people entered on the paper form for years.  There will doubtless be an on arrival backup system in place for the incapable.

[KireB]

How about older people who don't have phones? Will there be a special line for them?

[Upnotover]

20 minutes ago, KireB said:

How about older people who don't have phones? Will there be a special line for them?

Why do you need a phone?

[Patong2021]

14 minutes ago, KireB said:

How about older people who don't have phones? Will there be a special line for them?

Japan has  a paper system for the lazy / stupid / progress resistant people. It is also a backuop system should the Visit Japan system fail. The paper people are directed to lines where they can stand and wait. The evisa pax breeze through customs and immigration. In my case it took 10 minutes including the lines at HND.

 

The days of saying no to a mobile device are over. Consider it a requirement to travel no different than visas and passports. Within the next 5 years, flying will depend upon E boarding passes and e linked  boarding gates.  It is happening now. There are no longer paper airline tickets. It is an eticket. A small group of  technology resistant people  cannot  be allowed to disrupt security and efficiency for others.  These are the same people who delay boarding because they don't have a passport and boarding pass ready to present at the gate, or who demand to board early because they are old, despite  paying for and sitting in zone 5.

[johng]

4 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

The days of saying no to a mobile device are over. Consider it a requirement to travel no different than visas and passports.

Rubbish,  I say no to mobile devices everyday..Japan (everyone)

has a paper backup as they realise that digital is not the be all and end all  and not failure proof..thank goodness they even have notepads and pencils at air traffic control in case the systems go down...positively stone age ehh ?

 

5 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

A small group of  technology resistant people  cannot  be allowed to disrupt security and efficiency for others. 

More rubbish  security and efficiency  effected by not having a mobile phone ??

what security ??

I suppose you will be first inline for the implanted digital ID card/gps tracker/health tracker/social credit and carbon score checker  for your own "security"

of course soon after that there will be no need for travel   you can just plug into the "metaverse"  and go wherever and do whatever  from the comfort of your pod !!   🤢

 

[KireB]

31 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Japan has  a paper system for the lazy / stupid / progress resistant people. It is also a backuop system should the Visit Japan system fail. The paper people are directed to lines where they can stand and wait. The evisa pax breeze through customs and immigration. In my case it took 10 minutes including the lines at HND.

 

The days of saying no to a mobile device are over. Consider it a requirement to travel no different than visas and passports. Within the next 5 years, flying will depend upon E boarding passes and e linked  boarding gates.  It is happening now. There are no longer paper airline tickets. It is an eticket. A small group of  technology resistant people  cannot  be allowed to disrupt security and efficiency for others.  These are the same people who delay boarding because they don't have a passport and boarding pass ready to present at the gate, or who demand to board early because they are old, despite  paying for and sitting in zone 5.

So flying, banking, and basically everything is for younger people only then. My parents. almost 80, feel clueless. with all the apps, QR codes, etc.... I witnessed an old lady in her 80's crying at an ATM machine because it didn't work and she had no phone to pay with. Nice society we have built together. 

[Don Giovanni]

This is going to be a complete and utter shambles.

 

The Don.

[QPRFC]

Aftershock 

[JustinCredible]

I am awaiting the announcement that airlines will be instructed to decline Check-in if you cannot produce the QR code for then to scan.

[statman78]

Get used to this.  As an American I need to register prior to entering the UK and Australia.  Later this year I will need to do this to enter the EU.

[ronster]

Won't make any difference to the criminals who just waltz in here without trouble.

[JB300]

I thought the TM6 had been scrapped? 
 

is it back now? 

[renaissanc]

41 minutes ago, johng said:

Rubbish,  I say no to mobile devices everyday..Japan (everyone)

has a paper backup as they realise that digital is not the be all and end all  and not failure proof..thank goodness they even have notepads and pencils at air traffic control in case the systems go down...positively stone age ehh ?

 

More rubbish  security and efficiency  effected by not having a mobile phone ??

what security ??

I suppose you will be first inline for the implanted digital ID card/gps tracker/health tracker/social credit and carbon score checker  for your own "security"

of course soon after that there will be no need for travel   you can just plug into the "metaverse"  and go wherever and do whatever  from the comfort of your pod !!   🤢

 

One day that may well be possible too.

[Caldera]

15 minutes ago, JustinCredible said:

I am awaiting the announcement that airlines will be instructed to decline Check-in if you cannot produce the QR code for then to scan.

 

I agree, that's bound to happen.

[Lancelot01]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Japan has  a paper system for the lazy / stupid / progress resistant people. It is also a backuop system should the Visit Japan system fail. The paper people are directed to lines where they can stand and wait. The evisa pax breeze through customs and immigration. In my case it took 10 minutes including the lines at HND.

 

The days of saying no to a mobile device are over. Consider it a requirement to travel no different than visas and passports. Within the next 5 years, flying will depend upon E boarding passes and e linked  boarding gates.  It is happening now. There are no longer paper airline tickets. It is an eticket. A small group of  technology resistant people  cannot  be allowed to disrupt security and efficiency for others.  These are the same people who delay boarding because they don't have a passport and boarding pass ready to present at the gate, or who demand to board early because they are old, despite  paying for and sitting in zone 5.

I realise this is a wind up but, in your world there would be nobody with visual impairments, dyslexia, etc..

[Gabor]

I just filled it within 10 minutes. Really easy.

[Tarteso]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

QR code to present at immigration.

Scan, scan, Location location, Control control 🧐

[Johno57]

19 minutes ago, statman78 said:

Get used to this.  As an American I need to register prior to entering the UK and Australia.  Later this year I will need to do this to enter the EU.

Maybe not a good idea to mention your a yank anymore mate as is the usual custom ..Trump has put you right in the lowlife line..or to the back of every line in every country...

[VBF]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Japan has  a paper system for the lazy / stupid / progress resistant people. It is also a backuop system should the Visit Japan system fail. The paper people are directed to lines where they can stand and wait. The evisa pax breeze through customs and immigration. In my case it took 10 minutes including the lines at HND.

 

The days of saying no to a mobile device are over. Consider it a requirement to travel no different than visas and passports. Within the next 5 years, flying will depend upon E boarding passes and e linked  boarding gates.  It is happening now. There are no longer paper airline tickets. It is an eticket. A small group of  technology resistant people  cannot  be allowed to disrupt security and efficiency for others.  These are the same people who delay boarding because they don't have a passport and boarding pass ready to present at the gate, or who demand to board early because they are old, despite  paying for and sitting in zone 5.

Well said.... Let the Luddites wait and use the archaic systems. Btw....I'm 70 with no intention of letting technology pass me by.😎

[redwood1]

1 hour ago, KireB said:

How about older people who don't have phones? Will there be a special line for them?

 

Will there be a line for people who dont give a rats azz...And cant be bothered with any of it?

[Alex2554]

6 minutes ago, Gabor said:

I just filled it within 10 minutes. Really easy.

Where did you find the URL?

Google can’t help

[redwood1]

16 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

I agree, that's bound to happen.

Not every one understands QR codes..

[AhFarangJa]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Japan has  a paper system for the lazy / stupid / progress resistant people. It is also a backuop system should the Visit Japan system fail. The paper people are directed to lines where they can stand and wait. The evisa pax breeze through customs and immigration. In my case it took 10 minutes including the lines at HND.

 

The days of saying no to a mobile device are over. Consider it a requirement to travel no different than visas and passports. Within the next 5 years, flying will depend upon E boarding passes and e linked  boarding gates.  It is happening now. There are no longer paper airline tickets. It is an eticket. A small group of  technology resistant people  cannot  be allowed to disrupt security and efficiency for others.  These are the same people who delay boarding because they don't have a passport and boarding pass ready to present at the gate, or who demand to board early because they are old, despite  paying for and sitting in zone 5.

I guess you will be ecstatic when digital id, CDBC, comes in then. write something the government does not like, credit frozen, travel outside your 15 minute city too often, credit frozen, post something they do not like, prison term. Be very careful what you wish for with digital id, it is the great control apparatus for the globalists. One thing you will like though is the fact that airports will not be busy as people will not be allowed to travel. Yes, I know......put my foil cap back on.

[Caldera]

1 minute ago, redwood1 said:

Not every one understands QR codes..

 

Look, when e-tickets replaced paper tickets, people came up with the same kind of argument. What about people who don't have email, etc.

 

Did that stop the airlines from switching to e-tickets? No. Will saying that not everyone understands QR codes stop the TDAC rollout? No. Travelers will adapt. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is scrapping its much-dreaded TM6 arrival form, replacing it with a new digital system—the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)—from May 1.

Another enjoyable experience...

[Peterphuket]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Japan has  a paper system for the lazy / stupid / progress resistant people. It is also a backuop system should the Visit Japan system fail. The paper people are directed to lines where they can stand and wait. The evisa pax breeze through customs and immigration. In my case it took 10 minutes including the lines at HND.

 

The days of saying no to a mobile device are over. Consider it a requirement to travel no different than visas and passports. Within the next 5 years, flying will depend upon E boarding passes and e linked  boarding gates.  It is happening now. There are no longer paper airline tickets. It is an eticket. A small group of  technology resistant people  cannot  be allowed to disrupt security and efficiency for others.  These are the same people who delay boarding because they don't have a passport and boarding pass ready to present at the gate, or who demand to board early because they are old, despite  paying for and sitting in zone 5.

Perhaps one day you too might get older, but above all wiser I hope for you.

[KireB]

10 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

 

Will there be a line for people who dont give a rats azz...And cant be bothered with any of it?

What a negative remark, are you alright?

[redwood1]

2 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

I guess you will be ecstatic when digital id, CDBC, comes in then. write something the government does not like, credit frozen, travel outside your 15 minute city too often, credit frozen, post something they do not like, prison term. Be very careful what you wish for with digital id, it is the great control apparatus for the globalists. One thing you will like though is the fact that airports will not be busy as people will not be allowed to travel. Yes, I know......put my foil cap back on.

 

Unfortunately I think no one cares.....Sheep love love being controlled....Especially when its packaged as technological convenience ...