25 April 2025 - Starting May 1st 2025, Thailand introduces the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, as part of its move toward a more modern and efficient immigration process. The TDAC is designed to replace the old paper arrival card that travellers used to fill out on the plane before landing. Its purpose is to make travelling into Thailand faster, smoother and more convenient, with less paperwork and shorter queues at immigration.
The TDAC is filled out online before arriving in the country. Travellers submit their basic travel details, passport information and accommodation address. Once completed, the information is sent directly to Thai immigration, which helps speed up processing at the airport. Instead of filling out forms by hand, travellers simply scan their passport at immigration and continue their journey.
This digital system also reduces errors that were common with handwritten forms, and it supports Thailand’s plan to modernise border control and improve security. For travellers, the main benefit is convenience. The TDAC can be completed from a phone or computer within a few minutes, eliminating the stress of searching for pens, filling out paper cards or correcting mistakes before passing through immigration.
For tourism businesses, airlines and travel agencies, the TDAC system also brings advantages. It helps reduce delays on arrival, improves the flow of passengers and ensures more accurate data collection. This contributes to a better overall travel experience and supports Thailand’s goal of making entry procedures more efficient as tourism continues to expand.
Although the TDAC is simple to use, travellers should ensure they fill it out before arrival and provide correct information. Doing so will help them move through immigration quickly and avoid unnecessary delays.
The move towards a digital arrival system reflects Thailand’s commitment to improving travel infrastructure and offering a more convenient experience for visitors. The TDAC represents a straightforward step forward, making arrivals smoother for millions of travellers entering the Kingdom each year.
Official link to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card website: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/