TDAC - is it checked?

[SABloke]

So I arrived at DMK with my dutifully created QR Code for the first time since TDAC and 2 things happened (or didn't): Waited in Thai line as usual (kids travelling with me) and when arrived at counter IO told me that since I'm foreign we have to use counter 3 (Diplomat/Priority) lane - no biggie since actually a shorter Q than the Thai one because nobody in it so will go straight there next time, but I thought it must've been due to the QR code and that they (Thai line) didn't have the tool to scan it, so then went to Counter 3. There, the IO didn't ask to see or scan my QR code - it was just business as usual (stamp and through).

 

So what is supposed to happen? Do they normally scam the QR code? If not, what's the point? 🤪

[UWEB]

2 minutes ago, SABloke said:

So I arrived at DMK with my dutifully created QR Code for the first time since TDAC and 2 things happened (or didn't): Waited in Thai line as usual (kids travelling with me) and when arrived at counter IO told me that since I'm foreign we have to use counter 3 (Diplomat/Priority) lane - no biggie since actually a shorter Q than the Thai one because nobody in it so will go straight there next time, but I thought it must've been due to the QR code and that they (Thai line) didn't have the tool to scan it, so then went to Counter 3. There, the IO didn't ask to see or scan my QR code - it was just business as usual (stamp and through).

 

So what is supposed to happen? Do they normally scam the QR code? If not, what's the point? 🤪

They get your TDAC details right away on the screen, no need to scan the QR Code.

[SABloke]

4 minutes ago, UWEB said:

They get your TDAC details right away on the screen, no need to scan the QR Code.

 

Ah, ok - thanks. So the information is linked from the the passport number. Makes the whole QR code side of things a bit moot - I guess the higher ups thought it would make them appear modern, cool and with the times 🤣

[Maestro]

I have seen it mentioned on this forum that the TDAC may be an experiment, a test run for something that may or may not come, for example the collection of the tourist tax.

[ChristianPFC]

On 6/21/2025 at 9:20 AM, UWEB said:

They get your TDAC details right away on the screen, no need to scan the QR Code.

 

Not in my case. As requested (written above immigration counters), I handed my  phone with email with QR-code open to immigration officer. He opened the attached pdf and zoomed in to read it. 

 

(I would have printed the TDAC, but where I came from that would have taken me at least half an hour to find somewhere to print. I have spent a long time in Thailand on TV or visa exempt, that might be the reason why IO took a closer look at my TDAC?)

[LukKrueng]

On 6/21/2025 at 9:16 AM, SABloke said:

So what is supposed to happen? Do they normally scam the QR code? If not, what's the point? 

The point is that if once you've completed the form nothing happened at your end, you'd probably panic and keep sending the form over and over. Also, if there's any problem and it doesn't show on the IO's screen, you have a link to your form.

[alien365]

They don't need to look at it as they have the data in their screen. I think they are just copying what Singapore has in place. With a bit of luck, they will get rid of the majority of immigration officials too by using the electric gates to enter and leave the country.

[NoshowJones]

On 6/21/2025 at 9:20 AM, UWEB said:

They get your TDAC details right away on the screen, no need to scan the QR Code.

So up to three days before you come to Thailand you just go on to your laptop or desktop and fill everything in you are asked for and that's it? 

[Upnotover]

6 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

So up to three days before you come to Thailand you just go on to your laptop or desktop and fill everything in you are asked for and that's it? 

Correct.

[grain]

On 6/21/2025 at 8:11 PM, Maestro said:

I have seen it mentioned on this forum that the TDAC may be an experiment, a test run for something that may or may not come, for example the collection of the tourist tax.

Bingo 

[grain]

12 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

So up to three days before you come to Thailand you just go on to your laptop or desktop and fill everything in you are asked for and that's it? 

I flew Australia to Swamp a week ago. Filled in the TDAC at home 3 days before departure. It was very straight forward and took me a couple of minutes, and I got the email confirmation almost immediately, which surprised me because I thought they needed some time to check us against the bad guy lists. And soon after I got an email from my airline informing me I had to complete the TDAC as it was a requirement to board the flight. When I checked in at Perth airport I was asked if I had done the TDAC, I replied yes but the check-in lady didn't ask to see it. When I got to Imm at Swampy I had my smartphone ready to show the Q code but the lady IO said she already had it on file on her computer. 

[Ralf001]

On 6/21/2025 at 8:11 PM, Maestro said:

I have seen it mentioned on this forum that the TDAC may be an experiment, a test run for something that may or may not come, for example the collection of the tourist tax.

QR code will be for payment, 100%.

[Sydebolle]

Your TDAC code is linked with your passport and once the passport is scanned, the TDAC pops up - simple as that... 

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, grain said:

And soon after I got an email from my airline informing me I had to complete the TDAC as it was a requirement to board the flight

It isn't.  Or at least shouldn't be.  They'll get the hang of it one day.

[brewsterbudgen]

9 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

It isn't.  Or at least shouldn't be.  They'll get the hang of it one day.

It's frustrating how little airlines know about things and then make their own 'requirements'!

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

So up to three days before you come to Thailand you just go on to your laptop or desktop and fill everything in you are asked for and that's it? 

 

That is what I do, apply for TDAC on my home computer however, I then print the pdf file that is sent with the confirmation and present the form with my passport at Immigration control. The form is always handed back to me once scrutinised. I do not have a smartphone.

[NoshowJones]

1 minute ago, Burma Bill said:

 

That is what I do, apply for TDAC on my home computer however, I then print the pdf file that is sent with the confirmation and present the form with my passport at Immigration control. The form is always handed back to me once scrutinised. I do not have a smartphone.

Yes but you are in a very small minority not having a smartphone, but am I in a very small minority not having a printer?

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, alien365 said:

With a bit of luck, they will get rid of the majority of immigration officials too by using the electric gates to enter and leave the country.

 

Can't wait for a computer voice to ask me: "Why do you come to Thailand so often..." 😆 

[Jake44]

On 6/21/2025 at 10:23 AM, SABloke said:

Ah, ok - thanks. So the information is linked from the the passport number. Makes the whole QR code side of things a bit moot - I guess the higher ups thought it would make them appear modern, cool and with the times

 

The QR code is your receipt.  Keep it incase you have any problems.  

 

Thailand is just following the example of the many, many other countries who use QR codes for the exact same thing.  Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines are a few nearby examples.

[impulse]

I've entered through BKK twice since the TDAC was implemented.  Both times, there were passengers in the queue sent back to the TDAC kiosks if they hadn't filled one out before going through immigration.  They seemed rather cheezed that they had spent all that time in the queue, only to be knocked back when they got to the front.

 

The first time I only had a TDAC number with no QR code.  The second time, I had a QR code that I had printed on paper.  Both times were seamless for me.  Of course, YMMV.  TIT, after all.

[Travis179]

Went through the immigration queue last month, after a brief visit home. Did not even ask for my TDAC code. Just the usual quick passport review, then waved me on. Ditto for others I watched in line ahead of me. Of note though, the lines were long (several flights just arrived).

[VBF]

2 hours ago, Jake44 said:

 

The QR code is your receipt.  Keep it incase you have any problems.  

 

Thailand is just following the example of the many, many other countries who use QR codes for the exact same thing.  Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines are a few nearby examples.

As @SABloke said "Makes the whole QR code side of things a bit moot"

It would probably be more sensible to just send the email with an acknowledgement  that you've completed the requirement and have no need to do any more.

 

Personally, when I next come to enter Thailand, I shall have it available to show the IO whether "it" is a QR code or just email.

May be old-fashioned but carrying one piece of paper tucked in my passport or one item on my 'phone doesn't seem too arduous - if it avoids a confrontation after a 20 hour journey, I'm all for it.

[Jake44]

5 minutes ago, VBF said:

It would probably be more sensible to just send the email with an acknowledgement  that you've completed the requirement and have no need to do any more.

The IO will need a way to find your record in their computer if they can't do it automatically.  The QR code accomplishes that.  

[VBF]

1 minute ago, Jake44 said:

The IO will need a way to find your record in their computer if they can't do it automatically.  The QR code accomplishes that.  

From what others have said, its should be linked to your PP number, hence the "automatically" in your reply i presume.

But if you read the rest of my post, that's why I said that I'll carry it either on paper or phone anyway.

[orchidfan]

I came back from Hong Kong about a week ago to DMK (close to home, Swamy is a long taxi drive and B600+ fare).

 

My AIS roaming package had run out a few days before departure , so only had computer and WIFI . 

 

Completed the form online, but no way to get any email reply or QR code. 

 

Nice lady IO looked up from her screen when I said "no email, no QR code ", smiled and said "no problem, I know everything here".

 

So it seems from this and the other replies above, it was totally unnecessary to have either , so long as the form is filled in and submitted online  within their time frame.