Thailand Digital Arrival Card System 1 May 2025

My wife told me this morning that from 1 May 2025 Thailand is introducing a Digital Arrival System for tourists and anyone entering the country has to fill out the online for 3 days before arrival.

I haven't seen any threads on the subject so I thought I'd start one and find out if everyone knows about it except me.

Or maybe I'm the only old fogey that hasn't retired yet :) Well, still working with a couple of pensions under his belt.

After being informed I found the US Embassy was giving further details here:

Notice: Thailand Digital Arrival Card System Set to Launch on 1 May 2025. - U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand

I had a quick look at the link to the Thai site and notice it has Health Insurance listed. Is this now compulsory?

I know about it. I think there are posts about it here. Perhaps there's a thread about it in the news section.

Oh. It's a d44 thread in the news section so it's easy to miss what the thread is about or not read it at all.

Thanks Nev, that'll be the reason I missed it. ��

It's been all over google etc for a couple of weeks with most folk guessing it will be a headfuck for the average punter

Thais, and apps don't seem to have a good outcome.

I have banged on about this elsewhere, so I'll hold my thoughts here. The British FCO says this:

From 1 May 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand, whether by air, land or sea must complete a digital arrival card online before arrival. Travellers can register for an arrival card within 3 days before they arrive.

That is 'can' register 'within 3 days before they arrive'. So as I read that advice, I can only apply within the 3 days before my arrival. Which is not the same as must apply at least 3 days before arrival.

Shitstorm incoming.

Thailand isn't alone. I know one other country doing something similar. I expect it will become common. And quite quickly.

Thailand is pretty much alone in being able to f&*# things like this up incessantly, though.

Nowhere keeps repeating the same nonsense and expecting a different outcome more often than Thailand. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cyrille

Nowhere keeps repeating the same nonsense and expecting a different outcome

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Agreed I think they learnt it of Backspin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shutree

The British FCO says

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What Thai Immigration says and the reason for an arrival card is more relevant.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shutree

Travellers can register for an arrival card within 3 days before they arrive.

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The 3 days is so they get more time than in the past to screen arrivals and sort out unwanted persons. If it was "within 3 days" then you could do the application in the queue waqiting for immigration and nothing would had been gained in the new system compared to the old.
There is a reason why you can change almost everything in an approved application except for name, passport number and nationality. That is the info they need minimum 3 days beforehand so that they have time to do a proper checkup on the arrivals.
Which flight they actually arrive with and at which date is of secondary importance and that is why you can edit an approved application.

So, minimum 3 days before arriving, it is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Molle

What Thai Immigration says and the reason for an arrival card is more relevant.

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Of course it is. (Except the 'reason', which is nonsense.)
The point is that most Brits will look first to the FCO for advice and it seems like their advice here is simply incorrect.
A lot of UK travel insurance requires travellers to follow FCO guidance. If you have booked a trip and checked the FCO then you are quite likely not to apply for your digital arrival card more than 3 days before departure. Presumably there will be some kind of process to deal with people who arrive without the digital arrival card. Time will tell.

TAT seems explicit that it is within 3 days

Thailand Digital Arrival Card System Set to Launch on 1 May 2025

The Immigration Bureau of Thailand will launch the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system on 1 May 2025, replacing the traditional paper arrival card, commonly known as the TM.6 (To Mo 6). From this date, all foreign visitors must submit their arrival information electronically before entering Thailand, whether by air, land, or sea.


The TDAC is part of the government’s broader digital transformation of immigration procedures and is administered by the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. It is designed to streamline border processing, reduce paperwork, and enhance traveller convenience. The online form must be completed before arrival and includes essential travel and personal details.


Completion of the TDAC will be mandatory for all foreign passport holders, including tourists, business travellers, and long-term residents. Exceptions apply only to travellers transiting or transferring through Thailand without passing through immigration control and to those entering using a Border Pass.


Travellers may submit the TDAC up to three days before their scheduled arrival date. For example, if arriving on 5 May, submission can begin on 2 May. The system will open for submissions starting 28 April to accommodate those arriving on the launch date.


To complete the form, travellers should visit the Immigration Bureau’s official website:
�� https://tdac.immigration.go.th


Travellers can submit the TDAC individually or as part of a group via the portal. Information can be updated at any time before travel. Required details include passport information, personal and travel details, accommodation in Thailand, and a basic health declaration.


Long-term or permanent foreign residents in Thailand are advised to select “Thailand” under “Country of Residence,” which will be available once the system is activated.


If you cannot submit in advance


Travellers who are unable to complete the TDAC before arrival and do not have internet access at the point of entry will be assisted at designated help points located at immigration checkpoints. This assistance is intended for exceptional circumstances only. All travellers are strongly encouraged to complete the TDAC online in advance to avoid delays and reduce congestion at entry points.


More information


TDAC Portal: https://tdac.immigration.go.th
User Guide: main
FAQs: faq


Travellers are encouraged to review the official guidance and complete their TDAC well in advance of their journey to ensure a smooth arrival in Thailand.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card System Set to Launch on 1 May 2025 - TAT Newsroom

Okay, then the confusion is mine alone. It happens a lot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by malmomike77

Travellers may submit the TDAC up to three days before their scheduled arrival date.

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'Up to 3 days before' means something different to me.

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Originally Posted by Shutree

Okay, then the confusion is mine alone. It happens a lot.

Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
Travellers may submit the TDAC up to three days before their scheduled arrival date.
'Up to 3 days before' means something different to me.

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My confusion as well.
The thing only makes sense if it is a minimum of 3 days before, otherwise the whole approval and allow to edit anything except your personal info is moot, "within 3 days" is completely illogical and gains almost nothing compared to the old TM6 arrival card.

Screening beforehand will allow for a more thoroughly screening (takes longer time) using international police databases and it takes place before you arrive at the immi counter. An approved arrival means no check at the immi counter, only registering the arrival and this will shorten queues at the counter.

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Originally Posted by Molle

"within 3 days" is completely illogical

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But... but... this is Thailand!

Why would you be allowed to change your arrival date on an already made and approved application if the application should be done "within 3 days of arrival"?

So it looks like the FCO have this right and probably it is just the English wording of the Thai website that is a bit self-contradictory.
I had a look at some Pattaya bloke on YT talking about it and he said the application was to be made within the 3 days before departure.
BUT
He also said a couple of people had tried it and it worked easily enough. Which makes no sense. If you cannot do it more than 3 days before departure and it doesn't come into effect for another 4 days, then it shouldn't be possible to do it already.
AND
He also said that the application required details of a confirmed flight out within 30 days, saying that the application would bounce without these details. If it hasn't already come into effect, how can he be so sure that it will bounce? Which leads to my next question: What about those of us who live here and have permission to stay and no plan to leave within 30 days? Is this going to be another hurdle to 'work around'?

I tried a test draft for may 2 , q code approval in seconds , I thought could may be update with my real arrival but looks wont accept date more tha 3 days ahead. I did find post code too.

My plan is to do and save a few days early and amend just the date 72hrs prior.

We will soon see the praxis, just lucky I'll be in express queue and have the Q code plus print out pre done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by david44

I tried a test draft for may 2 , q code approval in seconds , I thought could may be update with my real arrival but looks wont accept date more tha 3 days ahead. I did find post code too.

My plan is to do and save a few days early and amend just the date 72hrs prior.

We will soon see the praxis, just lucky I'll be in express queue and have the Q code plus print out pre done.

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Did you get to test this TDAC thing yet? I was expecting some sycophantic press reporting with quotes from delighted tourists arriving, extolling the wondrous advantages of the new system. If they were reported, I missed them.

I filled in the form today for my flight on Saturday. They seem to have got their act together and a pdf copy was sent to my email within seconds of submission.

I'll print it out just in case my phone goes tits up on arrival. Almost all these electronic gadgets seem to go wrong for me at the most inconvenient of times.

I look at the system early, and it was a mess - mainly because I could not put my country of residence as "Thailand" - someone had forgotten expats again. The system started operation on the 1st May. Unfortunately or me I was traveling on the 1st May and arriving on the 2nd May.

Morning of the 1st May I tried the system again, all bugs fixed, filled it in and got my approval back within minutes.

^^ My passport wasn't stamped when I left Thailand on Tuesday, just scanned by a machine. Then a few metres later a photo taken, then through. No immigration officer involved. I wonder if they have now stopped stamping passports on entry as well?

To be honest I quite like the passport stamps as it gives an easy record of entries and exits.

I still lose a page of my passport per offshore work trip for being stamped in/out and in/out of Schengen. Are Thailand really more advanced than Europe at this stuff now?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mendip

Are Thailand really more advanced than Europe at this stuff now?

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I am shocked that after all this time you asked that question.

And not just because you seem to think 'Thailand' is a plural. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mendip

To be honest I quite like the passport stamps as it gives an easy record of entries and exits.

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I hear you, they have worsened it for you.. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mendip

My passport wasn't stamped when I left Thailand on Tuesday, just scanned by a machine. Then a few metres later a photo taken, then through. No immigration officer involved. I wonder if they have now stopped stamping passports on entry as well?

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Hong Kong has had a simple self-scan exit for some time, super easy. They still have a long queue at arrivals for officers to check passports.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shutree

Hong Kong has had a simple self-scan exit for some time, super easy. They still have a long queue at arrivals for officers to check passports.

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I should add that, even as a visitor, if you flew in to HKG I think it was twice in six months or a year then you could ask Immigration for a barcode on your passport which you could then use to swipe in as if you were a local. You couldn't get that sticker from the Macau ferry but once you had it then it worked there too. Saved a lot of time.
No reason at all why Thailand couldn't offer something similar.