I completed the TDAC form online, and the process was straightforward. Just ensure you have all your travel details handy. Received a QR code, which I presented upon arrival without any issues.

The TDAC system is efficient, but I recommend completing it well in advance. Some travelers at the airport were delayed because they hadn't filled it out. Better to be prepared.

Starting May 1, 2025, anyone who isn’t a Thai citizen must fill out a Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the country — whether they’re flying in, crossing by land, or arriving by sea. This online form takes the place of the old paper immigration slip (TM6) that used to be handed out on planes. Instead of scribbling it down mid-flight, travelers now need to submit their personal and trip details ahead of time through the official TDAC website: https://thailandarrivalcardtourist.com/. It’s mandatory — no TDAC, no smooth entry.

Yeah, this new “Mandatory Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)” rule is catching a lot of travelers off guard. It’s not a small change either — it affects everyone flying into Thailand now, whether you’re coming for beaches, business, or Bangkok nightlife.

So here’s what’s happening. As of 2025, Thailand now requires every foreign traveler to complete a Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before landing. It replaces the old blue-and-white TM6 paper form they used to hand out mid-flight. You need to submit the form within 72 hours before arrival, and when you’re done, you’ll get a confirmation — usually a PDF or QR code — that immigration will check when you land.

It’s not a visa, and it doesn’t change your visa status. It’s just an entry requirement, but it’s mandatory. If you show up without it, you’ll end up in a slower immigration line or have to complete it on-site — not exactly how you want to start your Thailand trip.

Why it matters:
This new system is meant to speed up border control and collect data electronically, but like any new system, there will be confusion at first. Some airlines are already checking for the TDAC before boarding, so you can’t just “deal with it later.” Do it early — ideally the day before your flight.

Tips from experience:

Do it before you fly – fill it out online once you know your hotel and flight details.

Save multiple copies – screenshot, print, or email the confirmation to yourself. Internet can be spotty when you land.

Use your real details – they ask for flight number, hotel, and contact info. Don’t guess; have it ready.

Stay calm at immigration – officers are still getting used to the system too. Having everything ready makes the line fly by.

Don’t pay anyone – the TDAC is free. Avoid “services” that try to charge for filling it out.

And yes, this new process also applies if you’re entering Thailand by land or sea — not just at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports.

Why travelers to Thailand should care:
If you’ve got your heart set on heading straight to Nana Plaza or Walking Street Pattaya, the last thing you want is an extra hour of airport delay. Getting the TDAC done beforehand means you can clear immigration fast and get straight to what you came for — whether that’s your hotel, your favorite Thai bar girl, or a cold beer on Soi Cowboy.

Thailand’s digital systems are improving fast — everything from immigration to hotel check-ins is going paperless. So think of this TDAC as your new “entry ticket” to the Land of Smiles. It’s one more small step between you and that first night out — but at least it’s one you can handle before you even board the plane.

Bottom line: get it done early, keep your copy handy, and don’t stress. Once you’re through immigration, the only forms you’ll be filling out are drink orders — and maybe a room number on a napkin later that night.