March 18, 2025

Starting May 1st, 2025, all foreign tourists will need to complete an online form before arriving in Thailand. Designed to replace the paper immigration form (the TM6), this new digital immigration system called the "Thailand Digital Arrival Card" (TDAC) aims to streamline entry procedures for tourists and travelers. Here's what you need to know.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card will replace the paper TM6 form

Authorities had already mentioned this in recent months, and the news was confirmed on Friday, January 31st, 2025. Starting May 1st, 2025, all foreign tourists will need to complete an online form before arriving in the country. This was confirmed by the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports when announcing the upcoming rollout of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system.

This system is designed to replace the TM6 immigration form. Suspended since July 2022 to facilitate border crossings and boost tourism by easing administrative procedures, this paper form was once distributed to passengers during flights or presented at immigration checkpoints upon arrival to collect travelers' personal data. In the coming months, it will be replaced by the TDAC.

Objective: simplify and streamline entry procedures upon arrival

The launch of the online system has multiple objectives. As stated by Nattareeya Thaweewong, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports: "Providing the online TM6 service is one of the important measures to promote Thai tourism by facilitating the entry of tourists and travelers to the country."

The transition from a paper form to a digital one should make border controls easier, reduce waiting times, and streamline arrivals. It also helps position Thailand as a modern tourist destination.

According to the ministry statement: "The TDAC system is now being developed and is being linked to data from relevant agencies, including the Disease Control Division, airlines, and customs agencies. The system is expected to be fully operational from May 1st, 2025."

Concretely, what will you need to do?

Meetings were held between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, airlines, hotels, and travel agencies to discuss the upcoming launch of the digital form.

For now, no specific information has been released, but authorities plan to communicate procedures soon.

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by a desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, to listen, to understand. Because for her, traveling is not about checking countries off a map, but weaving connections—often invisible yet always powerful—with places, peoples, and all manner of creatures from the animal kingdom. Her philosophy? Advising travelers with integrity, raising their awareness about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble, sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories are often born far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a trail, in the course of a conversation, or in the quiet breath of a world we finally take time to listen to…