Foreign travellers told to log on 3 days before Thailand arrival
Foreign travellers planning a trip to Thailand are being told to get online and fill in Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) three days before they arrive or risk being turned away at the border, as the country ditches its old-school paper arrival cards in favour of a slick new digital system.
From May 1, all international visitors, whether arriving by air, sea or land, must complete an online TDAC before stepping foot in the Kingdom of Thailand, said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura.
“All foreign passengers will be required to fill in the TDAC, whether they arrive by air, sea or land. The information submitted by the travellers will allow us to provide the appropriate care and assistance during their stay in Thailand.”
The new online form, available via the TDAC website (and soon as an app for Android and iOS), will officially replace the TM6 paper card, which had already been suspended since last year.
The TDAC is not a visa, officials stressed, but it is mandatory. Visitors will be required to enter passport details, address of accommodation in Thailand, and certain health information, with the form open for submission up to three days before arrival.
Anyone arriving from cities or ports flagged as high-risk for infectious diseases in the two weeks prior may also be asked to provide extra health data.
Not everyone will have to jump through the digital hoops. Diplomats, consular officials, and members of select international organisations, along with their dependents and staff, are exempt. Thai nationals returning home do not need to complete it either.
The TDAC also allows for group submissions and users can edit their details before final submission, reported Bangkok Post.
Foreign travellers arriving in Thailand on May 1 can start submitting their cards from April 28.
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