Thailand’s new digital entry rule sparks panic: TM6 form
Thailand’s latest travel rule is set to shake up the entry process for all foreign visitors but with just a few months to go, crucial details remain missing.
From May 1, all non-Thai passport holders must complete the Thai Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before travelling, replacing the outdated TM6 paper form.
The online submission will require personal details, travel plans, and accommodation information, and applies to those arriving by air, land, or sea. However, Thai officials have yet to reveal where or how travellers will submit this information.
It is expected that upon completion, passengers will receive a QR code to present at immigration. Reports suggest the TDAC may double as a customs declaration, though this remains unconfirmed. There is also speculation about an exit form mirroring the TDAC, adding another layer of bureaucracy.
Confusion is mounting, particularly regarding the difference between the TDAC and a visa application. The two are separate processes, yet visa-exempt travellers, who can stay for 60 days, extendable by 30 days, must still complete the TDAC.
Visa holders, including work permit holders and long-term residents, are also subject to the rule.
Key questions remain unanswered. Will airlines refuse boarding to those without a TDAC? Will there be an option to complete it upon arrival? Is a new submission required for each visit? What happens if a traveller changes hotels?
With less than three months before its implementation, the lack of clarity could turn Thailand’s “seamless” entry process into an airport nightmare.
If officials don’t provide clear guidelines soon, travellers could be caught in a bureaucratic mess at the border, reported Pattaya Mail.
Ministry of Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary Natthriya Thaweevong stated that the TM6 online form will allow officials to track tourists during their stay, reinforcing Thailand’s reputation as a safe destination.
“This digital shift reflects our commitment to modernising entry procedures.”
The TM6 suspension, which began on April 15 last year, will officially end on April 30. To prepare for the transition, the ministry invited the Immigration Bureau to showcase the new system.
A crucial meeting on January 31 with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), airlines, and hotel operators, was scheduled to finalise rollout plans and ensure a seamless implementation.
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