Thailand goes digital to cut waiting times

Don’t get caught out.

As of this week, Thailand’s new Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system is now live.

The Immigration Bureau of Thailand says it will significantly streamline the immigration process at airports and border crossings by doing away with the old-fashioned paper arrival card.

As of May 1, all foreign visitors must submit their arrival information electronically before entering Thailand, whether they travel by air, land, or sea.

The TDAC is the latest phase of Thailand's digital transformation of immigration procedures.

It is designed to minimise paperwork and cut processing time at immigration checkpoints, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The online form should be completed before arrival and is mandatory for all foreign passport holders. No excuses.

It requires filling out personal data and travel details for each traveller, and is open three days before the date of arrival.

Travellers can submit the TDAC individually or as part of a group via the portal. Information can be updated at any time before travel.

Travellers transiting Thailand onto connecting flights that do not have to pass through immigration are the only travellers exempt.