As of April 2026, the paper TM6 arrival form is obsolete. Entry into Thailand requires a mandatory Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Submission must occur via the official portal at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours of arrival. Upon completion, a QR code is generated; this code is scanned at biometric kiosks at all major air, land, and sea checkpoints. Failure to present a valid TDAC results in secondary processing, adding 60+ minutes to arrival times.
Key Entry Data (2026)
| Requirement | Specification | Operational Reality |
| Submission Window | 72 hours prior to arrival | Portal blocks earlier attempts. |
| Cost | 0 THB (Free) | Any site charging a fee is fraudulent. |
| QR Format | Digital or Printed | Mobile screenshots are the standard. |
| Connectivity | Biometric chip link | Scans passport Machine Readable Zone (MRZ). |
Full Breakdown of Submission
Access the portal exclusively at the government URL. Avoid third-party “processing” sites that charge between $50 and $100 for a free service. Use a mobile device with a high-quality camera to utilize the MRZ scan feature. This ensures the digital data exactly matches the biometric chip in the passport. Any mismatch, such as “CHAN” vs “CHEN”, will cause the biometric gate to fail, requiring manual intervention. Ensure the accommodation address includes the specific District and Postal Code.
The Ground Truth: Scams and Failures
Fraudulent TDAC websites frequently dominate search results using black-hat SEO. These sites impersonate official portals to steal personal and passport data. Additionally, multi-entry visa holders (such as DTV or Thailand Privilege) are not exempt; a new TDAC must be filed for every single entry into the Kingdom.
Tactical Tips
- SAT-1 Terminal: If landing at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) on an international carrier, the arrival terminal is often SAT-1. Factor in the 15-20 minute Automated People Mover (APM) transit time to the main terminal where immigration kiosks are located.
- Screenshot Mandatory: Airport Wi-Fi is notoriously unreliable for first-time connections. Save the TDAC QR code to the mobile “Favorites” album for instant access at the gate.
Final Recommendation
Complete the TDAC the evening before departure. Use the MRZ scan to eliminate typing errors.