Thread: From Utopia to Paradise Immi's new online TM6 for ALL entries mooted from May 1st

The TDAC website may be up, but no sign of the Digital Pass app mentioned in the Google Play Store.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

TDAC Official Site

......
I see loads of people forgetting to do it.

That "official site" you linked is NOT official, enter at your own risk. The real address is tdac.immigration.go.th

When people were given the paper cards on the plane but some still didn't bother filling them out until at the immigration desk then yes, people will forget.

Authority Moves to Ease Concerns and Fears Over Upcoming MANDATORY Digital Arrival Form

As Thailand gears up to welcome what they hope is an ambitious proposal for 40 million tourists in 2025, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is rolling out a big update to its immigration process: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which we covered in detail here previously.


Set to become mandatory for all foreign visitors starting May 1st, 2025, this shift from the traditional paper-based TM6 form to a fully digital system has sparked many concerns online, with some travelers afraid it will cause possible problems or delays to their trips. In response, the TAT is stepping up efforts to ease concerns, stating that the TDAC will be, according to them, a painless, user-friendly process designed to enhance—not hinder—the travel experience.

Thailand’s tourism industry has seen a remarkable rebound, with over 35.54 million visitors in 2024 alone, a 26.27% increase from the previous year. This surge, fueled by relaxed entry policies and visa exemptions, has prompted the need for a more efficient and secure immigration system.


The TDAC, accessible online at tdac.immigration.go.th, replaces the paper arrival card that travelers once filled out by hand upon entry. The TAT views this as a natural evolution, aligning Thailand with global trends toward paperless travel seen in countries like Singapore and Malaysia

“The TDAC is about making your arrival smoother and faster,” a TAT spokesperson said. “We’re not adding hurdles; we’re removing them. This is a simple, modern tool to keep Thailand welcoming and accessible.” The system allows travelers to submit their details—such as passport information, travel plans, and accommodation—up to three days before arrival, reducing wait times at immigration checkpoints.

Despite the promised benefits, the announcement of the TDAC has stirred some unease online as we have covered here, with travelers voicing worries about technical difficulties, accessibility, and potential delays. Posts on platforms like X and Facebook have highlighted fears of a cumbersome process or penalties for those unfamiliar with digital systems. The TAT is quick to counter these concerns, stressing that the transition will be straightforward and supported at every step.

“There’s no need to panic,” the TAT reassured in a recent statement. “This isn’t a complex application or a barrier to entry—it’s just the paper form you already know, now online.”


The process is free, takes only a few minutes, and can be completed on any smartphone, tablet, or computer. For those less tech-savvy, the TAT is working with airlines, embassies, and tourism operators to provide assistance, including on-the-ground support at major entry points like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

The TAT also points out that the TDAC is mandatory only for foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea, with exceptions for those transiting without passing immigration or using a Border Pass. Thai nationals are also exempt, but not expats on various types of visas. Once submitted, travelers receive a confirmation—either digital or printable—to present at immigration, ensuring a seamless check-in.


To further calm nerves, the TAT is launching an international awareness campaign ahead of the May 1 deadline. This includes informational guides distributed at airports, partnerships with airlines to notify passengers, and multilingual resources online. The official TDAC website will open for submissions starting April 28, 2025, giving travelers ample time to familiarize themselves with the system. It is currently in beta mode and the TAT has stressed that certain features missing currently, like identifying Thailand as an expat’s place of residence, will be added.

“We’re here to help every step of the way,” the TAT spokesperson added. “Whether it’s a tutorial video, a helpline, or staff at the airport, no one will be left struggling or rejected from entry for failure to fill out the form.”
The TAT’s message is clear: the TDAC is not a problem to dread. By cutting paperwork and streamlining arrivals, it’s designed to keep Thailand competitive as a top global destination while managing the pressures of record-breaking tourism numbers.


For travelers planning a trip to Thailand after May 1, the advice is simple: log on, fill out the form which is estimated to take less than a minute for most users, and enjoy your journey. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is determined to prove that this digital shift will be as painless as promised.

Thailand Tourism Authority Moves to Ease Concerns and Fears Over Upcoming MANDATORY Digital Arrival Form - The Phuket Express

Immigration’s arrival card site Thailand Digital Arrival Card

So apparently there is:

No "Thailand" in the list of countries of residence

-and-

No option for a Thailand contact number

One hopes they'll correct that oversight before launch.

Bawhahahaha!

Are we really residents in Thailand? Our visas say we are non-immigrants.

At any rate, you can bet immigration will hold you responsible for any problems they made.

Apparently Thailand has been added as a country of residence. I don't know about the phone number yet, but one would hope it was fixed at the same time.

I've never considered myself a 'resident' of Thailand, despite living here for nearly two decades. With the paper landing cards I always put 'UK' as residence and have never had a problem.

I care not about stuff like that and basically just enter whatever is least likely to cause issues. Phone number? If you can't enter a Thai number then just make up an overseas number if you don't have one, who really cares?

My only issue with this online system is requiring three days notice to enter details when I rarely get flights issued that far in advance.

Originally Posted by Mendip

My only issue with this online system is requiring three days notice to enter details when I rarely get flights issued that far in advance.

We appreciate your dilemma regretfully I think your pole position maybe to be nearby "on call" in" LowerSukemfit " I realize for a man used to Tugs this may be a bit of a wrench, tho perhaps some passing ships in the knight thru the porthole will offer temporary relief? I read there are often dingles dangling in that parish

only for foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea,

so there IS another way of entering thailand? some kind of space time continuum transporter maybe.

i think we should be told.

Originally Posted by taxexile

so there IS another way of entering thailand?

For yachting tooth fairies those of us up the creek a river crossing

Originally Posted by taxexile

so there IS another way of entering thailand? some kind of space time continuum transporter maybe.

i think we should be told.

Do tunnels count as "land"?

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Perhaps try reading properly next time:



The site explains the process in full with screenshots, and provides links to the official website.

Yes, but the site you linked to is NOT the official site despite what your link says.

Originally Posted by Molle

You worry too much..
Fill in your arrival card and enter your estimated arrival date, you can do that weeks beforehand and when your application gets approved you will be given a TH Digital Arrival Card Number.
Take the arrival card number, go to their website and select "Update Arrival Card" when you know the arrival date.
Changing your travel date does not invalidate your approved travel card.

Yes, I am a worrier these days. The older I get, the more I seem to worry.

But anyway, I will be in Norway for work during May, fly back end of the month, so will test your idea.

So long as I can change dates, flight details, carrier and maybe airport of embarkation at the last minute, no problem.

All said and done, I'm sure there wjll be a desk at Swampy to sort things out.

Originally Posted by mikenot

Yes, but the site you linked to is NOT the official site despite what your link says.

So you didn't actually look at it, you just wanted the opportunity to bleat, even though I started the post stating that this site was "unofficial".

Get a fucking life sonny.

Originally Posted by Mendip

So long as I can change dates, flight details, carrier and maybe airport of embarkation at the last minute, no problem.

What's stopping you from visiting their web site and check your options already today?

From the Update Arrival Card part of the web site:P

" Please note that you will not be able to update the following information:
1. Full Name (In Passport)
2. Passport No.
3. Nationality / Citizenship
4. Date of Birth
If you wish to update any of the fields above, please make a new submission. "

which means that you are allowed to change everything in your application except the above mentioned info.

Originally Posted by Molle

Changing your travel date does not invalidate your approved travel card.

You seem very confident about this, for a process that has not yet been tested.
Anyway, as previously stated, of course there will be workarounds, but why introduce a hurdle that requires working around? The same data are already available from Immigration's computer records.
A later tourist tax is the only reason that makes sense.

Originally Posted by Molle

What's stopping you from visiting their web site and check your options already today?

I did visit, but couldn't be bothered to fill out all the fields on the first page to get to the second.

I thought I'd let some other mug do it for me...

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Mendip

I did visit, but couldn't be bothered to fill out all the fields on the first page to get to the second.

I thought I'd let some other mug do it for me...

Thanks!

I feel the same as your first post, a bit worried. I too will go with the wife most of May so in the same boat as you. I think my ace in the whole is my daughter. She fills out forms like that 50 times faster and more accurately than I. I was trying to get on online Bay Area Fast Pass so I could cross the bridges and take some toll roads to save time. After an hour I asked for help. 30 seconds later it was done. Silly though, came back last year this time with no TM 6 at all. Seemed to work quite well as the whole plane was able to enter Thailand.

Was that at Don Mueang, in Bangkok?

Originally Posted by Mendip

I thought I'd let some other mug do it for me...

Highlighting the difference between moaners and doers...