Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has introduced a new mobile application aimed at reducing arrival processing times for international visitors while maintaining security checks at the country’s borders.

Digital arrival cards replace paperwork

The new system, known as the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM), allows foreign travellers to complete arrival card information digitally before reaching Thailand.

Available on both Apple and Android devices, the application uses AI-powered passport scanning to complete a one-time registration process. Future visits will require only limited updates, reducing the amount of information travellers need to submit each time they enter the country.

Immigration officials say the system is designed to cut processing times at border checkpoints to less than three minutes.

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Focus on security and efficiency

The platform was developed by Digital Identity Co., Ltd in partnership with Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and operates on cloud infrastructure hosted within Thailand through Amazon Web Services' Bangkok region.

Officials said the project was designed to improve efficiency without compromising border security. Traveller data will remain within Thailand in accordance with national legal requirements, while the digital platform is intended to strengthen identity verification and screening procedures.

The bureau has stressed that faster processing will not come at the expense of security measures, which remain a central part of the immigration process.

Expansion planned

Immigration authorities plan to expand the capabilities of the THIM platform beyond arrival registration.

Future updates are expected to include online visa extension services and digital 90-day reporting for foreign residents. Officials also aim to introduce automated border clearance for a wider range of nationalities.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to modernise immigration services as Thailand continues to handle large numbers of international arrivals each year.

Unveiled at technology summit

The new system was presented during the AWS Summit 2026 in Bangkok, where officials outlined the role of cloud technology in supporting the country's immigration operations.

Thailand receives around 30 million international visitors annually, and authorities believe digital processing will help reduce congestion at border checkpoints while improving the overall travel experience.

Pol Maj Gen Pratya Prasarnsuk, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said the bureau remains focused on balancing traveller convenience with the security responsibilities required at the country's borders.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now source 29 May 2026

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28 minutes ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

Future updates are expected to include online visa extension services and digital 90-day reporting for foreign residents.

Will this mean the end of the pile of documents and photos needed for marriage extensions? Somehow I doubt it.

I used it when I flew out a couple of weeks ago and it was very smooth and there were no lines.

Good on Thailand for this, if only backwards nations like America would start using advanced systems, that would be amazing.

So now in addition to immigration, 5G networks and fiber optic are three times faster in Thailand than they are in America at a third the price, that's what I call progress.

Edited May 29May 29 by spidermike007

Initially, what is the difference between this and TDAC?

Hopefully it means that we no longer need to fill in all the forms for visa extension and visit the immigration office but only tick a box online that nothing has changed from last year and smile online.

1 minute ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Hopefully it means that we no longer need to fill in all the forms for visa extension and visit the immigration office but only tick a box online that nothing has changed from last year and smile online.

I think, maybe, you are hoping a little bit too much?

1 minute ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Hopefully it means that we no longer need to fill in all the forms for visa extension and visit the immigration office but only tick a box online that nothing has changed from last year and smile online.

That is a dream that will take decades... Thailand and especially Thai Immigration like to have copies.. The more the better. Even for 90 days reporting.... They have never heard of scan documents I believe,

TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) = The requirement itself.
It's the digital form that replaced the old paper TM6 arrival card. You must submit your details (passport, flight, accommodation, etc.) before arriving in Thailand.

THIM (Thai Immigration Management System) = The new mobile app launched on 28 May 2026.
It’s essentially a better, dedicated mobile interface for submitting the TDAC.

I’m always going to be skeptical about new UI’s, OS’s and especially new apps from the Thai government. I’ll wait to hear from the security experts as to whether the platform is stable or not and how much data leaks out. Fingers crossed this will be a a step forward and Thailand Immigration will roll out additional features.

As an aside, I remain staunchly opposed to the whole 90 Day Reporting requirement. TM-30 and TM-47 are in my opinion a bad joke.

Temple bells. (IYKYK)

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Good on Thailand for this, if only backwards nations like America would start using advanced systems, that would be amazing.

USA airport CBP is totally automated if you are a US citizen. You should carry a different passport. 😉

38 minutes ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

Immigration officials say the system is designed to cut processing times at border checkpoints to less than three minutes.

The 3 minute processing time is not the problem. The small arrival area and the volume of people trying to access the poorly manned booths is.

3 minutes ago, Front Row said:

I’m always going to be skeptical about new UI’s, OS’s and especially new apps from the Thai government. I’ll wait to hear from the security experts as to whether the platform is stable or not and how much data leaks out. Fingers crossed this will be a a step forward and Thailand Immigration will roll out additional features.

As an aside, I remain staunchly opposed to the whole 90 Day Reporting requirement. TM-30 and TM-47 are in my opinion a bad joke.

Temple bells. (IYKYK)

USA airport CBP is totally automated if you are a US citizen. You should carry a different passport. 😉

Completely false information. Unless you have Global Entry, or a similar paid system, you are forced to wait on significantly long lines coming into the US, and the security set up going out in certain airports is absolutely horrendous. If I'm flying alone I can use the Customs and Border Protection app which speeds things up but if I'm traveling with my Thai wife that system is not available to tie nationals.

I do it all the time so the idea of scanning your passport is beyond what we would refer to as bad information.

No thanks, I rather wait in (long) lines.

Let the down voting begin.

44 minutes ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has introduced a new mobile application aimed at reducing arrival processing times for international visitors while maintaining security checks at the country’s borders.

Digital arrival cards replace paperwork

The new system, known as the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM), allows foreign travellers to complete arrival card information digitally before reaching Thailand.

Available on both Apple and Android devices, the application uses AI-powered passport scanning to complete a one-time registration process. Future visits will require only limited updates, reducing the amount of information travellers need to submit each time they enter the country.

Immigration officials say the system is designed to cut processing times at border checkpoints to less than three minutes.

Get today's headlines by email

Focus on security and efficiency

The platform was developed by Digital Identity Co., Ltd in partnership with Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and operates on cloud infrastructure hosted within Thailand through Amazon Web Services' Bangkok region.

Officials said the project was designed to improve efficiency without compromising border security. Traveller data will remain within Thailand in accordance with national legal requirements, while the digital platform is intended to strengthen identity verification and screening procedures.

The bureau has stressed that faster processing will not come at the expense of security measures, which remain a central part of the immigration process.

Expansion planned

Immigration authorities plan to expand the capabilities of the THIM platform beyond arrival registration.

Future updates are expected to include online visa extension services and digital 90-day reporting for foreign residents. Officials also aim to introduce automated border clearance for a wider range of nationalities.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to modernise immigration services as Thailand continues to handle large numbers of international arrivals each year.

Unveiled at technology summit

The new system was presented during the AWS Summit 2026 in Bangkok, where officials outlined the role of cloud technology in supporting the country's immigration operations.

Thailand receives around 30 million international visitors annually, and authorities believe digital processing will help reduce congestion at border checkpoints while improving the overall travel experience.

Pol Maj Gen Pratya Prasarnsuk, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said the bureau remains focused on balancing traveller convenience with the security responsibilities required at the country's borders.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now source 29 May 2026

View full article

7 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

I think, maybe, you are hoping a little bit too much?

You are probably right; I have filled in the same forms for 26 years.

bits and pieces that paint a digital, connected environment including facial photos, fingerprints are supposed to eliminate a ton of paper forms, while rooms are filled with supposed paper trails that are never used. And remember to sign each sheet !

9 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand and especially Thai Immigration like to have copies.

They might be running out of storage space.

I found tdac pretty easy to use but have downloaded this app and will give it a try next time I enter.

It seems that the system generates a QR code to “speed your entry”. It will be interesting to see if I will need to scan the QR code and then stand in front of an immigration officer just like before, or whether scanning a QR code actually results in faster processing.

Usually most of the time taken in front of the immigration officer is taken up by them checking through my passport and checking the photo to my face. Also reviewing my visa extension stamp and re entry permit stamp. Then stamping the passport and handwriting the date that I must leave.

I have a feeling that may all be unchanged. But anyway, I’ll give it a try.

9 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Completely false information. Unless you have Global Entry, or a similar paid system, you are forced to wait on significantly long lines coming into the US, and the security set up going out in certain airports is absolutely horrendous. If I'm flying alone I can use the Customs and Border Protection app which speeds things up but if I'm traveling with my Thai wife that system is not available to tie nationals.

I do it all the time so the idea of scanning your passport is beyond what we would refer to as bad information.

Sorry. No it is not completely false information. Admittedly I haven’t traveled to the USA often recently, for orange reasons. But my last three trips in, I used an automated kiosk. Zipped right through. I don’t have Clear or Global Entry, just a regular fat old passport.

Where the USA really fails is at TSA security screening. Still looking for exploding shoes perhaps.

24 minutes ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Hopefully it means that we no longer need to fill in all the forms for visa extension and visit the immigration office but only tick a box online that nothing has changed from last year and smile online.

Most of us will be dead long before that happens.

I'll believe Thailand has entered the 21st Century of computerized digitization the day I can submit my Marriage Extension online and digitally sign all the forms instead of handing an IO a stack of paperwork, all to be hand-signed in front of the IO (in the stamped boxed provided) in an hour-long dog & pony show on an annual basis.

However, thank God for the online 90 day reporting - when it works.

33 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I used it when I flew out a couple of weeks ago and it was very smooth and there were no lines.

Good on Thailand for this, if only backwards nations like America would start using advanced systems, that would be amazing.

So now in addition to immigration, 5G networks and fiber optic are three times faster in Thailand than they are in America at a third the price, that's what I call progress.

Since it was only introduced on 28th May and its when you fly in, not out, its very strange you used it??

29 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) = The requirement itself.
It's the digital form that replaced the old paper TM6 arrival card. You must submit your details (passport, flight, accommodation, etc.) before arriving in Thailand.

THIM (Thai Immigration Management System) = The new mobile app launched on 28 May 2026.
It’s essentially a better, dedicated mobile interface for submitting the TDAC.

Thanks, that was the information missing from the article.

10 minutes ago, Front Row said:

Sorry. No it is not completely false information. Admittedly I haven’t traveled to the USA often recently, for orange reasons. But my last three trips in, I used an automated kiosk. Zipped right through. I don’t have Clear or Global Entry, just a regular fat old passport.

Where the USA really fails is at TSA security screening. Still looking for exploding shoes perhaps.

Well perhaps some airports have them, but LAX sure doesn't, and that's one of the major West Coast airports.

31 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

That is a dream that will take decades... Thailand and especially Thai Immigration like to have copies.. The more the better. Even for 90 days reporting.... They have never heard of scan documents I believe,

Copies required for 90 days reporting? Sounds like you'd better change the way you're doing it.

So how long in advance can you fill in this new digital form? Just 3 days before arrival in Thailand or any time once you leave the country?

9 minutes ago, connda said:

However, thank God for the online 90 day reporting - when it works.

During covid I couldn't get the 90 days online reporting to work. A period when it was really important to avoid mingling at the Immigration office. Finally, I actually contracted covid.

3 minutes ago, Purdey said:

So how long in advance can you fill in this new digital form? Just 3 days before arrival in Thailand or any time once you leave the country?

Months in advance. But you need to go back to it in the 72 hours before arrival to complete the health declaration and get the QR code.

33 minutes ago, Thaddee said:

bits and pieces that paint a digital, connected environment including facial photos, fingerprints are supposed to eliminate a ton of paper forms, while rooms are filled with supposed paper trails that are never used. And remember to sign each sheet !

33 minutes ago, Thaddee said:

"And remember to sign each sheet !"....in BLUE INK!

38 minutes ago, Front Row said:

I’m always going to be skeptical about new UI’s, OS’s and especially new apps from the Thai government. I’ll wait to hear from the security experts as to whether the platform is stable or not and how much data leaks out. Fingers crossed this will be a a step forward and Thailand Immigration will roll out additional features.

As an aside, I remain staunchly opposed to the whole 90 Day Reporting requirement. TM-30 and TM-47 are in my opinion a bad joke.

Temple bells. (IYKYK)

USA airport CBP is totally automated if you are a US citizen. You should carry a different passport. 😉

Global Entry helps upon departure (shorter lines at TSA screening ANDyou can keep your shoes on) and upon arrival after scanning your passport and do a meet and greet with Immigration officer. Available for non-U.S. citizens if you travel there frequently (only select countries though - Thailand not one of them). Cost of $120 for five-years ($54/year) and often covered by one's credit card (at upper level), and one can do enrollment upon arrival after submitting your application and payment.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry