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

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Yes, some people will arrive upreprepared. These will often be the Chinese and Russians and a the demographic of people who  hold up lines wherever they go. The disabled and sensory impaired rarely if ever cause problems because they plan their travel and are prepared for contingencies.

 

Japan has many visitors who have not completed the electronic documentation. They are directed to the tables with the paper forms and then they  go through the  designated lines for the paper forms. They wait in line while the e visa holders  are quickly processed.

 

I complete my Japanese declaration 10-20 days in advance and typically submit the day before travel and have a QR code. generated and ready to go. You can prepare US and Canadian forms anytime in advance, but  most people submit Canada  a few days before travel.These people qualify for the fast line. The electronic forms can also be filled at the airport kiosk and these pax go to the slow line.   US has a similar system for airport kiosk users.  Both have an expedited system for pre-cleared travelers under Global Entry/Nexus.

The Australian ETA is processed in 1-3 days depending upon applicant and  because it is  12 months validity can be applied for in advance by travellers from designated nations. The UK visa is 2 years multi entry effective the date it was approved, which for most people is almost immediate. And so on. 

You are also confusing ETA with the TDAC form and your comments about Russians etc are just racist.... whoever gets it wrong will form a queue and queues take time you need to realise that this isn't Japan or Australia...every much doubt if they are using a Thai IT system.

[kwilco]

I read also that the new form includes some kind of insurance???

[kwilco]

7 hours ago, TheAppletons said:

 

  If it's designed similar to the Malaysian DAC, one can file it up to three days in advance.  

 

  So one would be able to file it day of arrival, day before arrival, or two days prior to arrival day.  

 

  (The Malaysian system won't allow one, for example, to file a week in advance.)

What I'm suggesting is that already the infirmation and reporting on this is inaccurate

[Bday Prang]

why was the tm6  "much dreaded"  never really bothered me at all.  

[Bday Prang]

3 minutes ago, kwilco said:

I read also that the new form includes some kind of insurance???

let the scaremongering begin 

[kwilco]

4 hours ago, PJ71 said:

It's all about positive mindset, obviously you expect the worst.

 

For those of us that were in and out the country during Covid this is a cake walk.

I've first visited Thailand in 1994, and this century lived and worked here for 20 years including at dept immigration and customs and excise... I'm basing my opinion on hardened experience and length relationship with Thai officers and bureaucrats.  It's nothing to do with wooly concepts like positive mindset.

Comparing it with the Covid era is just ridiculous....numbers going in and out then we're limited to tend of thousands as opposed to over 35 million or more expected in the next few months.

[kwilco]

8 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

let the scaremongering begin 

How is that "scaremongering" it would be free insurance!!!

 

"In turn, this will help provide automatic insurance coverage to visitors to the kingdom" Thai examiner March 30th

[Ralf001]

13 minutes ago, kwilco said:

I read also that the new form includes some kind of insurance???

 

Yeah there was mention of some kind of insurance being covered by an entry fee... lordy were there some moaners about that fee.

 

But it has never been mentioned that I have read that it will attached to TDAC.

 

The Ralf.

[OJAS]

21 hours ago, HampiK said:

So I guess you are only excluded with a Thai Passport or Thai Residency Status!

 

Those with permanent residency status won't, in fact, be excluded as things stand at present.

 

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

So the purpose is to gather information before travelers arrive while everyone is going to fil it in last minute as nobody knows about it. So much to their logic. And what information is additional? Their first booked hostel/hotel of which the TM30 should already provide that intel.

There is like zero reasons for Thailand to have implemented this, it also helps zero with any existing crime. It only annoys potential tourists.

 

Have you forgotten where you are man, just a reminder, the Land of Officialdom LoL 

[Spilornis]

23 hours ago, madmitch said:

SIngapore have a similar system now. Works fine...but that is Singapore, not Thailand 😉

The Singapore form even remembers your details from previous visits plus a very easy drop down menu for your hotel.

Of the ones in use it's certainly the fastest.

A bit of autofill does wonders

[vinny41]

36 minutes ago, kwilco said:

How is that "scaremongering" it would be free insurance!!!

 

"In turn, this will help provide automatic insurance coverage to visitors to the kingdom" Thai examiner March 30th

the article is mixing up TDAC with ETA which is only valid for visa exempt tourists

The ETA will be fully implemented by June 2025. The e-Visa service and the ETA system will be integrated into a single online application submission platform.

All visa-exempt foreign nationals entering by land, air or sea will be required to obtain an ETA before entering Thailand, except nationals of Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, who will be waived from the ETA requirement.

Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to introduce a THB 300 Thai Travel Tax, pending Cabinet approval in January 2025. This tax, requiring pre-arrival online registration and payment, may affect the ETA timeline. 

https://www.fragomen.com/insights/thailand-electronic-travel-authorization-requirement-for-visa-exempt-nationals-forthcoming.html

[Jumbo1968]

58 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

If you are a foreinger yes you will have to complete a TDAC form.

Will a TM30 be required i will be returning to my home address, Jomtien is my IO ?

[vinny41]

Here is the article where they discuss  TDAC and ETA

Travellers to Thailand nervous about new entry system being tested for security purposes by police

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/03/30/travellers-to-thailand-nervous-about-new-entry-system-being-tested-for-security-purposes-by-police/

Tourist levy linked to the new ETA system could provide automatic insurance cover for foreign visitors

Significantly, this tourist levy is planned to come with automatic insurance coverage of up to ฿500,000. Therefore, it has been broadly supported by the Thai foreign tourism industry.

 

[PJ71]

58 minutes ago, kwilco said:

I've first visited Thailand in 1994, and this century lived and worked here for 20 years including at dept immigration and customs and excise... I'm basing my opinion on hardened experience and length relationship with Thai officers and bureaucrats.  It's nothing to do with wooly concepts like positive mindset.

Comparing it with the Covid era is just ridiculous....numbers going in and out then we're limited to tend of thousands as opposed to over 35 million or more expected in the next few months.

That's excellent.

 

My point being about covid was the amount of paperwork and timelines involved with that paperwork but you obviously never understood that...

[Ralf001]

14 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Will a TM30 be required i will be returning to my home address, Jomtien is my IO ?

 

yes, Jomtien require a TM.30 even when returning to you home address that you previously submitted a TM.30 for.

 

I do mine online.

[seajae]

I do everything online with a computer, never used my phone todo anything other than call or message people so does this mean I can no longer leave and return to Thailand, have always filled in a tm6 on the plane, even immigrations asks for your tm6. While those that cannot live without playing on their phones some of us refuse to use them for anything other than calls etc, going overseas I take my laptop to do anything online, bit hard to show anyone qr code with it. The last tm6 I filled in was in 2019, havent left Thailand since and it is still required every year I do my visa extension

 

 

[redwood1]

1 hour ago, vinny41 said:

Here is the article where they discuss  TDAC and ETA

Travellers to Thailand nervous about new entry system being tested for security purposes by police

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/03/30/travellers-to-thailand-nervous-about-new-entry-system-being-tested-for-security-purposes-by-police/

Tourist levy linked to the new ETA system could provide automatic insurance cover for foreign visitors

Significantly, this tourist levy is planned to come with automatic insurance coverage of up to ฿500,000. Therefore, it has been broadly supported by the Thai foreign tourism industry.

 

 

Travellers to Thailand nervous about new entry system being tested for security purposes by police

 

 

 

Whos security are they talking about?

 

All the posters in this thread seem very secure with the current system of having no TM6 at all......And I dont think even one post says they are unhappy with the current system.

 

 

 

 

[Upnotover]

26 minutes ago, seajae said:

I do everything online with a computer, never used my phone todo anything other than call or message people so does this mean I can no longer leave and return to Thailand, have always filled in a tm6 on the plane, even immigrations asks for your tm6. While those that cannot live without playing on their phones some of us refuse to use them for anything other than calls etc, going overseas I take my laptop to do anything online, bit hard to show anyone qr code with it. The last tm6 I filled in was in 2019, havent left Thailand since and it is still required every year I do my visa extension

 

 

Why is there an obsession on this forum with phones?  Nowhere has it been said you must do anything with a phone.  Get your TDAC, print it, and carry it in your passport.

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Yes, but it's not called a TM6 anymore - it's TDAC

 

At the two land border crossings from Cambodia to Surin and Sisaket Provinces in Thailand, there is no such thing as TDAC. One still has to complete a paper TM6 Form

to enter Thailand. Smartphones are of no use.

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

At the two land border crossings from Cambodia to Surin and Sisaket Provinces in Thailand, there is no such thing as TDAC. One still has to complete a paper TM6 Form 

 

That comes as no surprise given TDAC does not come into effect until 01 May 2025.

[vinny41]

54 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

 

Travellers to Thailand nervous about new entry system being tested for security purposes by police

 

 

 

Whos security are they talking about?

 

All the posters in this thread seem very secure with the current system of having no TM6 at all......And I dont think even one post says they are unhappy with the current system.

 

 

 

 

as stated they were mixing up tdac (TM6) and ETA 

ETA is only for visa-exempt visitors

The ETA’s aim is to enhance the screening and tracking of foreign nationals entering Thailand

https://www.fragomen.com/insights/thailand-electronic-travel-authorization-requirement-for-visa-exempt-nationals-forthcoming.html

[ikke1959]

11 hours ago, Upnotover said:

A phone is not a requirement.  Before arriving to complete the form online.  You get a receipt.  Print it.  You can ask your wife to carry the printout if you want.

Yes of course a print of it, as Thailand is fond on copies for everything, same year after year day after day.... Save the planet save paper but not in Thailand and sign everything sometimes the same form 3 times

[Upnotover]

57 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Yes of course a print of it, as Thailand is fond on copies for everything, same year after year day after day.... Save the planet save paper but not in Thailand and sign everything sometimes the same form 3 times

Only a suggestion for those who have some paranoid aversion to using their phone.

[Bday Prang]

4 hours ago, vinny41 said:

Significantly, this tourist levy is planned to come with automatic insurance coverage of up to ฿500,000

Regardless of pre existing conditions ?   I doubt it

[kwilco]

15 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Regardless of pre existing conditions ?   I doubt it

there already is an insurance scheme - you can look it up.

[Patong2021]

5 hours ago, kwilco said:

You are also confusing ETA with the TDAC form and your comments about Russians etc are just racist.... whoever gets it wrong will form a queue and queues take time you need to realise that this isn't Japan or Australia...every much doubt if they are using a Thai IT system.

No, it is not racist. The  mainland Chinese have always had problems with the documentation upon arrival. The Russians pre Ukraine war were typically educated and well traveled, so it wasn't an issue. Now it is. The Thai forms were historically in English and Thai.  The Chinese and new Russians don't speak those languages. How many directional signs  at BKK are in languages other than Thai or English? Easy for Hong Kong and Singapore  natives to  follow. Easy for the older wealthier Russians who used to visit the EU and USA to navigate. Not so easy for  Mr. Ping  from Linjiang or Boris from Buryatia here on a junket to follow.

 

No I am not confused. The ETA  has been postponed indefinitely. The tour groups typically made sure that their customers had their visa documentation  taken care of before departure. I am aware that the TDAC is the  electronic version of the  TM6 and it was the TM6 forms that the  aircraft disgorging hundreds of pax from countries unfamiliar with travel and documentation had trouble completing.  One typically encounters such people when they get into the wrong lines at arrival. 

[kwilco]

4 hours ago, PJ71 said:

That's excellent.

 

My point being about covid was the amount of paperwork and timelines involved with that paperwork but you obviously never understood that...

Of course I did I left Thailand during Covid when my contract ended. You just don't seem to gettit - it isn't the "paperwork", it's the amount of people arriving who may not have done th paperwork and the possibility or probability of the system - - crashing - during Covid the place was empty - I sat on a plane with about 6 people in economy class but that obviously hasn't registered with you

[kwilco]

2 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

No, it is not racist. The  mainland Chinese have always had problems with the documentation upon arrival. The Russians pre Ukraine war were typically educated and well traveled, so it wasn't an issue. Now it is. The Thai forms were historically in English and Thai.  The Chinese and new Russians don't speak those languages. How many directional signs  at BKK are in languages other than Thai or English? Easy for Hong Kong and Singapore  natives to  follow. Easy for the older wealthier Russians who used to visit the EU and USA to navigate. Not so easy for  Mr. Ping  from Linjiang or Boris from Buryatia here on a junket to follow.

 

No I am not confused. The ETA  has been postponed indefinitely. The tour groups typically made sure that their customers had their visa documentation  taken care of before departure. I am aware that the TDAC is the  electronic version of the  TM6 and it was the TM6 forms that the  aircraft disgorging hundreds of from countries unfamiliar with travel and documentation had trouble completing.

Why is it that racists spend their time arguing that things they say aren't racist. There is stupid, stupider and Racist - the fog of racism clouds your ability to look at issues clearly

[Patong2021]

1 minute ago, kwilco said:

Of course I did I left Thailand during Covid when my contract ended. You just don't seem to gettit - it isn't the "paperwork", it's the amount of people arriving who may not have done th paperwork and the possibility or probability of the system - - crashing - during Covid the place was empty - I sat on a plane with about 6 people in economy class but that obviously hasn't registered with you

 

The new format will be part of the  passport verification step. If the system crashes, the passport verification will also crash.How is that different from if the system crashed when they were relying on the paper TM6? The IMO was looking scanning the passport and also reading the TM6 form. I know they were  reading the TM6 form because I sometimes forgot to complete some parts like gender, or didn't sign, and was told to  complete. If they could manage  previously if the system crashed, they are going to manage with the  automated form going forward.