File photo courtesy: Matichon

 

Starting 1st May, foreign visitors heading to Thailand must fill in an online arrival card before their trip, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) website, created by the Immigration Bureau, is ready to capture essential traveller details. Smart app versions on Android and iOS will soon be available to make the process even smoother.

 

Diplomatic workers, some international organisation members, and foreign officials in Thailand are exempt. This digital shift replaces the TM6 paper card, which was discontinued last year.

 

The streamlined TDAC is mandatory for all foreign visitors, irrespective of whether they enter Thailand by air, sea, or land.

 

 

 

Visitors can fill in their TDAC forms three days before they arrive, inputting crucial details like passport numbers, accommodation addresses, and health records.

 

Those arriving from high-risk areas might have to provide additional details. Group submissions are allowed and details can be tweaked before sending off.

 

The Ministry highlights that TDAC doesn't substitute a visa and advises travellers that Thai nationals need not fill this out. Access to the TDAC system for those arriving on May 1 opens on April 28.

 

The aim is to enhance visitor support and ensure a smoother arrival experience in Thailand.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-11

 

 

I wonder what will happen if the visit to Thailand is an emergency and within the three days?

I predict 1/2 the current tourists will just go to Vietnam instead!

They also have digital arrival, but you can fill it in after you land.

Brits get 45 days visa waiver on arrival.

And it's a better destination for most tourists.

 

Alternatively ...... flip ...... flop .......

2 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

I wonder what will happen if the visit to Thailand is an emergency and within the three days?

Indeed….  I often have travel at less than 12 hours notice… or have to change plans last min..,

…. Kind of makes this 3 day requirement somewhat tricky. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The aim is to enhance visitor support and ensure a smoother arrival experience in Thailand.

Yeah right.

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

Indeed….  I often have travel at less than 12 hours notice… or have to change plans last min..,

…. Kind of makes this 3 day requirement somewhat tricky. 

 

the requirement is to register within 3 days of arrival... that 12 hours is within that 3 day window !

Methinks the headline is wrong again.  "Not sooner than 3 days" would be more accurate.

4 minutes ago, JustinT said:

The requirement is 3 days or less.  You can do it one minute before checking in for your flight if you want.

One minute before immigration in fact - they have already said there will be provision on arrival for those that didn't already complete it.

Does this apply to visa holders?

1 minute ago, JackGats said:

Does this apply to visa holders?

 

visa holders that have a Thai passport are exempt.. 

3 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

8 minutes ago, JustinT said:

The requirement is 3 days or less.  You can do it one minute before checking in for your flight if you want.

One minute before immigration in fact - they have already said there will be provision on arrival for those that didn't already complete it.

That makes a lot more sense…

 

Hope the Apps work smoothly ! 

1 minute ago, JackGats said:

Does this apply to visa holders?

Yes.

Well done Thailand.

One more well thought out rule. 

Holy cannoli! We can see that the brain trust has been at work! 

2 hours ago, JustinT said:

The requirement is 3 days or less.  You can do it one minute before checking in for your flight if you want.

 

Or do it after you arrive.

2 hours ago, JustinT said:

Assuming the airline allows you to board without it.  They probably will, but who knows.

 Of course they will let you board....The TDAC is not a visa and has no requirements to be met to enter Thailand......100% zero requirements.......The TDAC only collects traveler data.....Same as the old TM6.......Nothing more...

As usual this headline is misleading, all the misunderstood points have been sorted out. You cannot submit the TDAC prior to 3 days before but it doesn't have to be done 3 day before, you can do the day you depart, or you don't have to do it beforehand at all, you can do it at the airport after you arrive, but obviously if you do it in advance it will speed up the time it takes to get out of the airport. And all foreign PP holders have to do this, regardless of which visa you hold. Even foreigners with PR have to do this as they travel on their foreign PPs. Only foreigners who hold Thai citizenship and have Thai PPs don't need to do a TDAC.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Indeed….  I often have travel at less than 12 hours notice… or have to change plans last min..,

…. Kind of makes this 3 day requirement somewhat tricky. 

You can't do it earlier than 3 days. Mate of mine tried but it won't accept the arrival date then.

8 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You can't do it earlier than 3 days. Mate of mine tried but it won't accept the arrival date then.

 

If they set no 3 day time limit you could do this when you book your ticket....Compliance would skyrocket......The 3 day rule guarantees VAST VAST numbers of people will NOT do this in the 3 day window........You can take this to the bank...

4 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

 

If they set no 3 day time limit you could do this when you book your ticket....Compliance would skyrocket......The 3 day rule guarantees VAST VAST numbers of people will NOT do this in the 3 day window........You can take this to the bank...

Now you can do it when you check in.

4 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

If they set no 3 day time limit you could do this when you book your ticket....Compliance would skyrocket......The 3 day rule guarantees VAST VAST numbers of people will NOT do this in the 3 day window........You can take this to the bank...

Bingo, and thanks for that. I know I am leaving BKK on May 6 to attend my daughters wedding in California. I know we will return the 27th at 11:00am via HKG. I would like to it right now on my computer and have it done and dusted. 2 of the 3 days prior to the return I will be hiking down into the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I dont even use my phone for filling out forms at all only my laptop with a full sized keyboard so I am not going to do it then. Luckily having a good bye dinner with the other daughter who is tech savvy. I will simply hand her my phone and have her do it.  

Remember this TDAC is just stage 1, stage 2 comes in a couple months later, and that's the introduction of the 300THB foreigner arrival tax, which we'll pay online at the same time as we do the TDAC online. Anyone thinking they'll just ignore the online option and do it at the airport (or at the border) on arrival bear in mind that the people who have done everything online ahead of time will have the QR code on their phones and they'll be officials waiting to scan the code and off you go to immigration. The ones without the codes will have to line up and fill in the TDAC at the airport or border (and pay the 300THB fee in a couple months from now) and that'll mean an extra hour or two before you get out the airport. So complying online makes heaps of sense.

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I wonder what will happen if the visit to Thailand is an emergency and within the three days?

It can only be applied for no more than three days before arriving. Could you do it atthe departing airport, or on the plane before landing, or will Check In staff refuse boarding if you cannot show it, on your phone or printed out.

Would be much easier if you could do it when you buy your ticket.

Hope the phone app is up and running successfully before it comes into force.

33 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You can't do it earlier than 3 days. Mate of mine tried but it won't accept the arrival date then.

How did your mate try it when it does not start until 28th April?

2 hours ago, bdenner said:

Don't forget it was this lot who created the 90 day online report, took em what? 3-4 years to perfect? --- Sort of!

This lot? Ever heard of re-shuffle? It will probably be totally different people than it was 3-4 years ago.

A good way of putting people off coming for a holiday. It's a pain that retirees here have to fill this nonsense out just to get home. I don't carry a smartphone around with me.

Malaysia has the same and you can fill it out while you are queuing up at immigration. Not a big deal (fingers crossed)

1 minute ago, XB12X said:

I don't carry a smartphone around with me.

You don't need to.  Print it.

What about expats living in Thailand. I think can't select Thailand as resident country.