Immigration Bureau Confirms Launch of the New Thailand Digital Entry Card (TDAC) on April 28
The Immigration Bureau has officially announced that the new Thailand Digital Entry Card (TDAC) will be activated for travelers on April 28, 2025. As the country prepares for the influx of foreign visitors, all individuals entering Thailand using a foreign passport will now be required to obtain clearance online prior to arrival. Excitingly, a glitch affecting the registration of foreign expats residing in Thailand is expected to be resolved ahead of the launch, making the process smoother for everyone involved. Currently, expatriates face issues indicating their country of residence, which will evidently be remedied come launch day. To support those with exceptional circumstances, help desks will be available, but the Immigration Bureau has emphasised that these are reserved for extreme cases only.
Mandatory Online Registration for All Foreign Arrivals from May 1
Starting May 1, all foreign passport holders must register online before entering Thailand. This change applies to both personal and business travelers, including those with long-stay visas. It’s important to note that this requirement is independent of visa status, effectively simplifying the entry process for all foreign visitors.
Personal, Travel, and Health Information Required
Prospective travelers will need to provide various details as part of the registration process. This includes the traveler’s name, gender, date of birth, passport information, and occupation, along with the country of residence and city/state. Furthermore, visitors will also be asked to share details about their planned accommodation and submit a health declaration. The system allows for the entry of unspecified gender, and travelers are encouraged to provide their visa number, though this is optional.
Officials from the Immigration Bureau have made it clear that expatriates residing in Thailand should register their country of residence as Thailand when the system launches, addressing current complications faced by expats wishing to register.
Special Help Desks for Limited Access Travelers
To accommodate those unable to register online, particularly elderly individuals or those lacking internet access, special help desks will be established. It’s crucial to understand that this assistance will be reserved for exceptional situations, underscoring the importance of online registration for all other travelers.
The TDAC approval will be mandatory for everyone entering Thailand via land, sea, or air, contributing to enhanced security measures at entry points.
Implications for Future Tourist Tax Initiatives
Industry analysts view the introduction of the TDAC as a potential precursor to a future tourist tax roll-out, previously linked to an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This tourist tax, which aims to implement a ฿500,000 coverage per visitor at a negligible fee of around ฿350, seeks to boost Thailand’s tourism market alongside automatic insurance coverage for travelers.
Registration Encouraged Up to 72 Hours Before Arrival
Travelers are urged to register on the new TDAC website up to 72 hours prior to their arrival. This proactive measure enables visitors to make necessary updates as their plans evolve before boarding their flights. However, anticipation surrounding the effectiveness of this new digital system remains cautious, given Thailand’s previous entry protocol challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand is targeting approximately 38 million tourist arrivals this year, a number still below pre-pandemic levels, with plans for even greater achievements by 2025 amid concerns about fluctuating visitor numbers and recent controversies impacting tourism sectors.
Mixed Signals in January Tourism Trends
Despite reports from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports indicating an uptick in visitor numbers in early 2025, industry insiders suggest a different reality, including a significant drop in arrivals in February. January saw 3.7 million arrivals, marking a 21% increase from the previous year, though recent sentiment indicates the tourism sector may still be struggling in the aftermath of global events.
As the travel landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders remain hopeful that the new TDAC initiative will facilitate smoother entry for travelers and rejuvenate the tourism economy, even as challenges persist.
