Is this correct?

When you return to Thailand and complete your TDAC you MUST record your re-entry visa number in the box that says Visa Number. If you fail to, your current visa/visa extension could be cancelled and you just receive a 60 day tourist visa.

There is also a risk this could happen if you try to use the automated gates (if there are any). It looks at your passport, thinks you're a tourist and ...boom....you're a tourist.

It was the same as the old paper arrival cards , you needed to write your visa number on the card

10 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

Is this correct?

When you return to Thailand and complete your TDAC you MUST record your re-entry visa number in the box that says Visa Number. If you fail to, your current visa/visa extension could be cancelled and you just receive a 60 day tourist visa.

There is also a risk this could happen if you try to use the automated gates (if there are any). It looks at your passport, thinks you're a tourist and ...boom....you're a tourist.

Sounds like nonsense.

I would have thought the bio page (which is scanned) will pick up the true Immigration record.

28 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

If you fail to, your current visa/visa extension could be cancelled and you just receive a 60 day tourist visa.

On the TDAC put your visa # if you have a visa.

If you have a reentry permit you can put that #.

Your current visa or extension will not be cancelled

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

It was the same as the old paper arrival cards , you needed to write your visa number on the card

This guy was telling me NO...it must be your re-entry visa number?????

4 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

This guy was telling me NO...it must be your re-entry visa number

He means reentry permit #.

Read my first post.

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

He means reentry permit #.

Read my first post.

Got it......so the number on the permit goes into the box asking for visa number?????

14 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

Got it......so the number on the permit goes into the box asking for visa number?????

Correct. But nothing will happen if you don't.

14 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

Got it......so the number on the permit goes into the box asking for visa number?????

That's always worked for me even in the old TM6 days.

I did actually forget one time (on a TM6) nothing untoward happened, the immigration chap found the re-entry permit and all was good.

1 hour ago, MIke B Bad said:

Is this correct?

When you return to Thailand and complete your TDAC you MUST record your re-entry visa number in the box that says Visa Number. If you fail to, your current visa/visa extension could be cancelled and you just receive a 60 day tourist visa.

There is also a risk this could happen if you try to use the automated gates (if there are any). It looks at your passport, thinks you're a tourist and ...boom....you're a tourist.

I have entered many times since TDAC was introduced, I do not enter my re-entry number... they have not cancelled my extension.

Be amusing to rock up to work and explain to my employer I cannot work as Iam now on a tourist entry !

4 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

I have entered many times since TDAC was introduced, I do not enter my re-entry number... they have not cancelled my extension.

Be amusing to rock up to work and explain to my employer I cannot work as Iam now on a tourist entry !

I don't recollect ever filling it in?

It's an optional field. If it was required then it would be a required field. Nothing will happen if you leave it blank. The immigration officers don't look at your TDAC, they just see if you submitted one or not. It doesn't change anything about entering Thailand as far as what stamp you will receive.

Edited April 28Apr 28 by BrandonJT

49 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

I don't recollect ever filling it in?

its an optional field.

Someone is talking porky pies/scaremongering.

Thread covered few times.

BrandonJT post correct.

While optional I always put my reentry permit #

11 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

It was the same as the old paper arrival cards , you needed to write your visa number on the card

The OP is mot asking about the visa number, but about the re-entry permit number.

20 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

Is this correct?

When you return to Thailand and complete your TDAC you MUST record your re-entry visa number in the box that says Visa Number. If you fail to, your current visa/visa extension could be cancelled and you just receive a 60 day tourist visa.

There is also a risk this could happen if you try to use the automated gates (if there are any). It looks at your passport, thinks you're a tourist and ...boom....you're a tourist.

About 2 weeks ago I arrived back in Thailand from Japan. I have a non-o visa with a retirement extension. I entered Thailand using my re-entry permit. I did not enter anything into the area where it asked for visa number on the TDAC. I had no problem going through immigration. They didn’t even take my fingers.

All good, fingers out no fingers out. Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around that's what it's all about

On 4/28/2026 at 7:33 AM, MIke B Bad said:

Is this correct?

When you return to Thailand and complete your TDAC you MUST record your re-entry visa number in the box that says Visa Number. If you fail to, your current visa/visa extension could be cancelled and you just receive a 60 day tourist visa...

@MIke B Bad I am curious to know where you heard or read that.

22 hours ago, Maestro said:

@MIke B Bad I am curious to know where you heard or read that.

It was a question I posed to Gemini

The Visa Number Field

In the field labeled "Visa Number," you should enter your re-entry permit number.

• Why? This tells the immigration system that you are not entering on a new visa, but are continuing an existing permitted stay.

• Where to find it: If you have a physical stamp, the number is usually written or stamped at the top of the re-entry permit stamp in your passport. If it was issued digitally, it will be on your approval document.

Official and Authoritative References

• Thai Immigration Standard Operating Procedure (TM6 Legacy): Historically, Thai Immigration instructions for the TM6 arrival card (which TDAC replaces) explicitly stated:
  "Foreigners holding a re-entry permit must enter the re-entry permit number in the 'Visa No.' field to maintain the continuity of their stay."

Edited April 30Apr 30 by MIke B Bad

4 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

It was a question I posed to Gemini...

Thank you.

Based on my recent experience with Google Gemini searches, the answers usually give a link to the webpage from which the information was gathered. This link would then give the original source of the information. Can you check if there was such a link in the Gemini answer you received?

Thread moving off topic.

As stated few times.,.. Visa # field is optional.

Some like myself put reentry permit #

Simple question from OP has been addressed

BTW: that's exactly what I did in TM6 days.

The vast majority of folk entering Thailand do not have visa or reentry permit.

Also for xpats living here ignore field "exit date"

On 4/29/2026 at 9:14 AM, statman78 said:

About 2 weeks ago I arrived back in Thailand from Japan. I have a non-o visa with a retirement extension. I entered Thailand using my re-entry permit. I did not enter anything into the area where it asked for visa number on the TDAC. I had no problem going through immigration. They didn’t even take my fingers.

In my original reply I didn’t address the comment about a current extension being cancelled. Last October I returned from a holiday in Europe. I left the visa number field blank in the TDAC. Entered Thailand without any issues. Last December I did my annual retirement extension without any issues. That field can be left blank without any issues.

16 hours ago, Maestro said:

Thank you.

Based on my recent experience with Google Gemini searches, the answers usually give a link to the webpage from which the information was gathered. This link would then give the original source of the information. Can you check if there was such a link in the Gemini answer you received?

The specific "law" governing the use of the re-entry permit number in place of a visa number is found in the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522 (1979) and its subsequent ministerial regulations.

While the TDAC is the modern digital interface, it is technically the electronic version of the TM.6 (Arrival/Departure Card).TDACTM.6 (Arrival/Departure Card) The legal authority for this remains tied to how a "Re-entry Permit" functions under Thai law.

1. The Legal Foundation: Immigration Act B.E. 2522

The core policy is derived from Section 39 of the Immigration Act:

Section 39:Section 39: "An alien who has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom... and wishes to leave the Kingdom with the intention of returning, shall apply for a re-entry permit..."An alien who has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom... and wishes to leave the Kingdom with the intention of returning, shall apply for a re-entry permit... If the alien leaves without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay shall be deemed expired."If the alien leaves without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay shall be deemed expired."

Because the re-entry permit is the legal instrument that keeps your current "Permit to Stay" alive, it effectively serves as your "visa" for that specific entry.

2. The Ministerial Regulation (The "Procedure")

The transition to the digital arrival card (TDAC) was formalized under the Ministry of Interior Regulations (enacted in 2024/2025 to replace the physical TM.6). These regulations dictate that:

• Every non-Thai national must provide their "Authorization for Entry" details.

• For those on an Extension of Stay, the only valid authorization number is the Re-entry Permit Number.

3. Official Policy Resources

While internal "Standard Operating Procedures" (SOPs) for immigration officers aren't usually public, the Thai Immigration Bureau and Royal Thai Embassies provide the following specific guidance for the "Visa Number" field on the digital form:

• The TDAC Official Portal (tdac.immigration.go.th):The TDAC Official Portal (tdac.immigration.go. The user manual and FAQ sections specify that travelers holding an extension of stay must select their visa category (e.g., Non-O) and enter the Re-entry Permit Number in the visa field.

• Royal Thai Embassy (Consular Guidance): Embassies (such as the one in London, which you may be dealing with soon) explicitly state:

  "Foreigners entering with a Re-entry Permit should use the permit number located in the passport stamp as the 'Visa Number' on digital arrival forms to ensure the extension of stay is not cancelled."

Why this matters for your 2026 trip:

If you were to enter "Exempt" or leave the field blank, the system would process you as a Tourist (Visa Exemption). Legally, this acts as a "new entry" and automatically voids your current extension of stay in Chaiyaphum.

Summary for your TDAC in June:

• Law: Section 39, Immigration Act B.E. 2522.

• Field: "Visa Number."

• Input: Your Re-entry Permit Number (e.g., 123/2026).

As what usually happens practice doesn’t necessarily follow policy. During my last 2 entries into Thailand from abroad I used re-entry permits and left the visa number field blank on the TDAC. Both times the io stamped my re-entry permits “used”. I was stamped in until my current extension of stay expires.

On the TDAC I did indicate that I had a non-o visa and my reason I am staying was to live as a retiree.

Just now, MIke B Bad said:

The specific "law" governing the use of the re-entry permit number in place of a visa number is found in the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522 (1979) and its subsequent ministerial regulations.

While the TDAC is the modern digital interface, it is technically the electronic version of the TM.6 (Arrival/Departure Card).TDACTM.6 (Arrival/Departure Card) The legal authority for this remains tied to how a "Re-entry Permit" functions under Thai law.

...

Thank you very much for this detailed information and the time you took to prepare it.

Just now, MIke B Bad said:

• The TDAC Official Portal (tdac.immigration.go.th):The TDAC Official Portal (tdac.immigration.go. The user manual and FAQ sections specify that travelers holding an extension of stay must select their visa category (e.g., Non-O) and enter the Re-entry Permit Number in the visa field.

If it was required, they would make that a required field. It's not a required field, and therefore it's not required. It's pretty simple.

On 4/28/2026 at 6:32 PM, MIke B Bad said:

I don't recollect ever filling it in?

I didn't once, when returning on a marriage visa, and got stamped in as 'visa exempt', which of course, when I left months later ... "go see desk, you over stay"

Sorted and no fine.

36 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I didn't once, when returning on a marriage visa, and got stamped in as 'visa exempt

Nothing to do with thread.

The onus is on you to check that the io stamped you in correctly.

You didn't check your entry stamp.

Rockie error.

I subscribe to the general recommendation to check the entry stamp immediately when getting my passport back into my hands, yet after a trip of 12 hours or longer I mostly forget to do it. Never got a wrong stamp so far and if it should happen, I could always go to get it corrected at the immigration office or as I've read in a post or two, have to go the airport for it. The Thai embassy in London means well with its suggestion to fill in the optional visa number field to save us this inconvenience if it should happen.

Last December, after many years arriving always with a visa, I exceptionally arrived from Hong Kong visa-exempt and the immigration official asked me if I had no visa this time, which I thought was very kind on his part, as for all he knew I might have had a visa but forgotten to give it to him with my passport.

Generally, I abstain from overloading any government official with unnecessary information but after reading all this I plan to indicate the re-entry permit number in future, if applicable.

Just now, Maestro said:

....but after reading all this I plan to indicate the re-entry permit number in future, if applicable.

In my earlier years of very frequent travel abroad from Thailand I would point out my reentry permit both to airline check in and Thai immigration upon arrival.

With frequent travel there can be pages of entries after reentry permit stamp.