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

[Patong2021]

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Absolute bull<deleted>!!

 

I manage everyday without a smartphone here in Cambodia.. All my shopping - CASH IS KING. I also use my Bank Debit card for ATM and to pay my medical bills at my local private hospital.  I have never been required to use a QR Code. When travelling by air from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai, boarding passes are issued by Air Asia for the 'Fly Thru' service and Thai Immigration in DMK (special desk for Air Asia transfer passengers) want to see passport and for me to undergo the biometrics formality. No QR codes or TM6 involved.

 

Interestingly, my favourite restaurant in Siem Reap is now CASH ONLY. Evidently too many problems with smartphone transactions. It is still full everyday with worldwide customers visiting Angkor Wat. 

Several new banks have been constructed in Siem Reap and new ATM booths are springing up again - like pre-covid days!

 

It is BS to you because you  are in denial.  You are in Cambodia. it is not known to be  the most advanced of civilizations and doesn't have much of an ecommerce capability.   You might as well  point out that  there will be no advances in surgery because  the Congo doesn't have microsurgery capabilities.The reality is that if you want to get on a big airplane and go to a big advanced country, you will  eventually need to have electronic transaction capability. It is the ICAO position thaat there be an implementation of the electronic measures.  It facilitates  administrative processing and clearances for border agencies.

The reality and you better  get  ready is that that there will be electronic transactions.

 

[black tabby12345]

5 hours ago, Don Giovanni said:

This is going to be a complete and utter shambles.

 

The Don.

 

I, too, predict in the same way.

Will soon fu*k up, and then, Thai bureaucrats realize they were only  help creating needless mess.

By introducing something they cannot maintain/handle.

Their digital failure is already demonstrated by online  90 day report.

Works on someone.

But doesn't work on someone else.

And it never worked on me.

And they cannot even pinpoint why it doesn't work.

 

Does Thailand turn away those who couldn't lodge their new paperless arrival card?

 

 

 

[Patong2021]

4 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Technology is wonderful as long as there are no glitches or breakdowns.  Hackers and cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated and attacks are occurring more often.

Ok. The USA  and Canada have been running along rather nicely  with the system  for  several years. Passengers have embraced the esystems because  they speed up border entry and clearances. The  glitches and breakdowns of the esystems have no  additional impact on the process than if  people were still providing  paper forms. A system disruption would mean that  border agents would be unable to check passports  or biometics of arriving pax  usuing paper forms.  Immigration  officials have been using IT for the past 40 years. The same information  that was provided previously will just be processed faster.

[tandor]

6 hours 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 !!   🤢

 

surely the TM.30 covers all that TM.6 and this proposed TDAC does..isn't that sufficient.

[johng]

Just now, tandor said:

surely the TM.30 covers all that TM.6 does..isn't that sufficient.

Unfortunately  it seems not  ☹️

[PJ71]

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Absolute bull<deleted>!!

 

I manage everyday without a smartphone here in Cambodia.. All my shopping - CASH IS KING. I also use my Bank Debit card for ATM and to pay my medical bills at my local private hospital.  I have never been required to use a QR Code. When travelling by air from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai, boarding passes are issued by Air Asia for the 'Fly Thru' service and Thai Immigration in DMK (special desk for Air Asia transfer passengers) want to see passport and for me to undergo the biometrics formality. No QR codes or TM6 involved.

 

Interestingly, my favourite restaurant in Siem Reap is now CASH ONLY. Evidently too many problems with smartphone transactions. It is still full everyday with worldwide customers visiting Angkor Wat. 

Several new banks have been constructed in Siem Reap and new ATM booths are springing up again - like pre-covid days!

Do you still write letters or do you use Whatsapp and other similar apps to stay in touch?

[PJ71]

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

I think the 3 day rule proves your point....What difference would it make if you filled out this worthless form 30 or 60 days ahead of time? It would make zero difference...The 3 day rule only serves to inconvenience...

It takes 10 mins, i'm sure there's many more inconvienient things to do that take longer than that before you travel, searching and booking flight options and hotels comes to mind, as an example.

[PJ71]

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

So did I but you are assuming the computer will accept that. Many people arrive in Thailand with no concrete plans for where they stay - they used to put just about anything in that box - will the digital version accept that?

THere's also quite a lot more detail required... will the avaerae tourist know this? how about a backpacker aiming to travel around the country? Will the IT system beable to cope?

Put anything - no brainer.

[Patong2021]

5 hours ago, Lancelot01 said:

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

Visual impairments  are addressed  by  electronic modifications to the device  You do know that they are adapted for the visually impaired don't you? Are you even aware that there are specialized phones for the blind? (and even the deaf.) These are  impairments, not conditions that limit mental accuity. Visually and hearing impaired people have been using electronics for decades to manage.

 

If they have dyslexia, then the impairment would be worse when trying to use paper forms as the ability to pre enter and to correct would not be available.

 

These issues are already addressed. Multiple nations have been providing accommodations for physically impaired people for  years. Why would Thailand be any different? You do know that they provide  assistance now don't you?  

 

You are just looking for excuses to justify  a resistance to change.

[PJ71]

45 minutes ago, Drumbuie said:

I didn't have to fill in a TM6 when I came back to Thailand this week, nor the last time I flew in, last year. Immigration have all my info from my visa extension ( retirement) so once they've scanned the passport and checked the biometrics,  it's all linked up in their database - and that's that. 

 

Presumably the new Eform is only for visitors and tourists. 

 

Incidentally last week,  a S African friend of my son's was refused entry at Suvarnabhumi last week and had to fly home. Reason given: "too many tourist visas". I'll see if I can get more details. 

Effective from May 1st.

[Patong2021]

6 hours 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.

And the non US nationals must do the same to enter the USA. The use of  evisas was in large part initiated by the USA which wanted to have a better system of  verifying who was entering (and leaving).

[Patong2021]

6 hours 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 !!   🤢

 

 

It is rubbish because you are afraid of change.   This isn't about air traffic control It is about the  improvement of processing  entry documentation and allowing  border security to do a better job of it. If you   are in Japan and flying  regularly, then you will have seen the ANA automated gates. You will also be aware of the Japan Visitor program that emphasizes the use of evisas and declarations. It also relies on biometrics. When I departed. Haneda last month, I went through an egate and didn't even  see a border agent.     And like no one relies on a Suica card. 

Nor is this about your  imagined  digital id cards and trackers. This is about the  improved efficiency of a process that  was manual. The same information provided manually is in the electronic system, nothing changed except the data input format.

[JensenZ]

6 hours ago, JB300 said:

I thought the TM6 had been scrapped? 
 

is it back now? 

I didn't get a TM6 form to fill out last September when I arrived.  I thought they had scraped it years ago.

[Burma Bill]

48 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

Do you still write letters or do you use Whatsapp and other similar apps to stay in touch?

 

Not actually write, but type emails on my personal computer. I also use Facebook to keep in touch. What is Whatsapp ?

 

Sometimes I make calls on my 3G phone to family, friends and pension companies who are still on old landline numbers in the UK.

[wensiensheng]

“In fact,there's no word yet on whether travellers must continuecarrying a paper form alongside their digital submission.”

 

What are they talking about? I haven’t filled in a TM6 for years, ever since it’s temporary suspension from use.

 

I guess I’ll find out about the new system that they currently say is chaotic, in a months time when I return. Can’t see that it can be THAT difficult to fill in a few personal details, anymore than it was to fill in the TM6 many years ago

[black tabby12345]

6 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Not every one understands QR codes..

 

"New paperless digital arrival card".

Looks like ending up as another mess maker.

Will there be a mass deportation of the Just Arrived(who couldn't properly fill out the New Card online)?

[freedomnow]

Numbskulls that plan and make these online portals...METV visa was a nightmare 2022.

 

Try giving people the choice and transition it over 2 years etc...till they iron out numbskull logic steps on the portal.

[proton]

54 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

Effective from May 1st.

 

Working properly sometime next year 😆

[wensiensheng]

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

So did I but you are assuming the computer will accept that. Many people arrive in Thailand with no concrete plans for where they stay - they used to put just about anything in that box - will the digital version accept that?

THere's also quite a lot more detail required... will the avaerae tourist know this? how about a backpacker aiming to travel around the country? Will the IT system beable to cope?

I do notice that it requires you to fill in your departure details. There was no need to do that with the tm6 because Departure details could be filled in later on the reverse of the form.

 

For people who actually live in Thailand and haven’t got any details for their next departure, it will mean filling some fictitious details. Which of course can easily be done.

[Mr Meeseeks]

Amusingly on arrival at BKK on QR they still show a TM-6 video with the old redundant paper form.

 

They have obviously been given the video by the Thais and told to show it, even though it is years out of date. 😄

[AngryMan]

What if I am Blind? 

Asking for a friend!😎

Will there be a Brail version?

[wensiensheng]

4 hours ago, marino28 said:

I just have a look.

 

country of residence : where is Thailand? I scroll everywhere but i cannot find it

I think the assumption is that the person completing the form is a tourist and therefore resides in a different country to Thailand.
 

It's possible that if a long term extension visa number is entered in the field above country of residence, then it will allow Thailand to be entered. But that is a guess. I haven’t tried it.

[Lucky Bones]

8 hours 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 are the person I am stuck behind at 7/11 when the banks Apps have failed again. My cash itching my palm.🙃🙃

[Upnotover]

31 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

I do notice that it requires you to fill in your departure details. There was no need to do that with the tm6 because Departure details could be filled in later on the reverse of the form.

 

For people who actually live in Thailand and haven’t got any details for their next departure, it will mean filling some fictitious details. Which of course can easily be done.

No it doesn't.  Departure details are optional.

[Upnotover]

35 minutes ago, AngryMan said:

What if I am Blind? 

Asking for a friend!😎

Will there be a Brail version?

No.  Stay home.

[kickstart]

7 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

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

No, when I go back to the UK my Thai phone sim stays here in Thailand cannot use it in the UK, stays with the wife, when in the UK a I buy a UK sim, so I could use my UK sim at the airport, but when I get back here in Thailand I am  basically  phoneless ,unless you can down load the immigration QR code before I leave, or get a paper copy , for the return trip.

[kwilco]

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

OK, so in your opinion, the Thai request for an address is unworkable.

Please share your opinion with other countries who ask the same question usually for Customs.

USA -6059B Declaration form. Japan asks me for my location. Why is it so bad for Thailand to ask the question, but other countries not bad to ask?

so if you don't have an address?

[emptypockets]

14 minutes ago, kickstart said:

No, when I go back to the UK my Thai phone sim stays here in Thailand cannot use it in the UK, stays with the wife, when in the UK a I buy a UK sim, so I could use my UK sim at the airport, but when I get back here in Thailand I am  basically  phoneless ,unless you can down load the immigration QR code before I leave, or get a paper copy , for the return trip.

Many phones are dual sim

[lordgrinz]

51 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

No it doesn't.  Departure details are optional.

 

Wrong, as far as I can tell from testing it, it won't let you go to the next page unless you fill in the following required fields.

 

MODE OF TRANSPORT

FLIGHT NO. / VEHICLE NO.

 

I can however avoid the date, put in "AIR", "COMMERCIAL FLIGHT" and then enter "N/A" for flight number, not sure what they will think of that though.

[PJ71]

1 hour ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Not actually write, but type emails on my personal computer. I also use Facebook to keep in touch. What is Whatsapp ?

 

Sometimes I make calls on my 3G phone to family, friends and pension companies who are still on old landline numbers in the UK.

So you pick and choose which technology to use.

 

Don't know why you and others are getting bent out of shape, you either fill in the form or don't come to Thailand...