Thailand’s ditching arrival cards—but the digital fix is a mess (video)
Thailand is finally ditching its notorious TM6 paper arrival form—but don’t celebrate just yet. From May 1, every foreigner entering the country must now navigate the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system. And as usual, it’s already a hot mess.
The government has launched an operational website for the TDAC, which is set to replace the old-school blue-and-white forms used for decades. But while the site is live, it has triggered more questions than answers.
According to the official user manual, the TDAC is mandatory for all non-Thai passport holders arriving by air, land or sea. Travellers must submit personal details, travel plans and accommodation information online before entering the country. Once completed, users are supposed to receive a QR code to show to immigration officers on arrival.
Sounds simple enough? Not quite.
The video tutorial on how to complete the form doesn’t work for some users, and there’s no clarity on what happens after downloading the form. One user vented, “Am I surprised? Nope. What happens if you don’t have a smartphone?”
To make matters more confusing, there’s no official confirmation from immigration officials on how or where travellers are supposed to submit the completed TDAC. It’s also unclear whether the data gets uploaded to immigration systems or if paper backups are still required.
Early reports hint that the TDAC may also serve as a customs declaration form, but that hasn’t been confirmed. There’s even speculation that Thailand may introduce a matching exit card, potentially creating a new layer of red tape.
The TDAC is not a visa application, but many travellers are already mixing the two up. Those entering visa-free, eligible for 60-day stays, extendable by 30 days, still need to fill out the TDAC. So do visa holders, work permit holders and long-term residents.
The move is part of Thailand’s broader push towards digitising its immigration systems, but so far, it’s only added to the confusion. As of now, the government has yet to launch a functioning app or clearly explain how the process works for those without internet access or smartphones.
And with the clock ticking down to the May 1 deadline, many travellers are left wondering: will immigration be ready, or is this just another digital disaster waiting to happen?
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