Thailand and TDAC: How does it work?

Hello to all the Thailand regulars.

I’ve been to Thailand several times, but it was about 20 years ago…

There’s a new system in place now, it seems.

TDAC – Thailand Digital Arrival Card.

Before arriving, I apply for a TDAC, okay. If during my stay I cross the border to spend a few days in Malaysia and then re-enter Thailand, do I need to submit a new TDAC application? Do I use the same TDAC as when I first entered the country?

Or do I initially have to pay for a Thai multi-entry visa?

Thanks in advance for your insights—I can’t find the answer online.

Pierre

Hi there,

Thailand digital arrival card

The name is pretty self-explanatory: it’s an immigration card, like the form the flight attendant used to hand out on the plane to fill in before you gave it to the immigration officer upon arrival. They’d then give you back half (the "departure" portion) to keep in your passport until you left the country. Except now, there’s no paper—it’s "digital," dematerialized, and you fill it out online.

If during my stay I cross the border to spend a few days in Malaysia and then re-enter Thailand, do I need to submit a new TDAC request?

Yes (just like you would’ve had to with the old paper form).

Do I use the same TDAC as for my first entry into the country?

So no, just like you couldn’t have done before.

Where do I initially have to pay for a Thai multi-entry visa?

This question isn’t really connected to the previous ones. No, no visa is required if you’re staying for tourism for a maximum of 60 days/59 nights in a row (plus a possible 30-day extension), and the same applies for your second entry into Thailand. However, under these conditions, you *must* have a flight ticket from France proving you’ll leave Thailand within 59 nights of your arrival date.

Thanks, that’s really clear!

Good evening,

This question doesn’t need to be tied to the previous ones. No, no visa is required for a tourist stay of up to 60 days/59 consecutive nights (+ possibly 30 more if extended), and the same applies for your second entry into Thailand. However, under these conditions, you must already have a flight ticket from France proving you’ll leave Thailand within a maximum of 59 nights after your arrival date.

Hi, Just a small note) With your 60 days (59 nights), you’re confusing travelers You can easily start your stay with a flight that lands after midnight and spend your first night in Thailand (short, admittedly!!) And leave 60 days later (60 nights). There you go

Better to confuse them the right way than the wrong way.

Better to confuse them in the right way than the wrong way.

That’s just your take—I don’t agree at all

I think you have to tell them that when you arrive at the airport, the immigration officer stamps your passport with the date and time. When you leave, you must go back through the immigration counter **less than two months later**.

I think you should tell them that upon arrival at the airport, the immigration officer stamps their passport with the date and time. When leaving, they must go through the immigration counter again no later than two months later.

Hi, The stamp placed on the passport by immigration shows the arrival date, as well as the date by which they must leave the country. In the case of a visa exemption, it’s 60 days.

Just a side note—you’re being really pushy. Is that natural, or are you doing it on purpose?

That’s what my scale tells me. I’m on a strict diet right now—at my age, you do what you can. It shouldn’t take long to improve.

That's what my scale tells me. I'm on a strict diet right now—at my age, you do what you can. It shouldn't be long before things improve.

When I said "heavy" I was referring to the Brain

So do you think we can exceed the 2 months by a few hours or a few minutes? I don’t think so. Everything is recorded in the immigration system. Anyway, I’ve never taken that risk.

So do you think we can exceed the 2 months by a few hours or minutes? I don’t think so. Everything is recorded in immigration’s system. Anyway, I’ve never taken that risk.

I still say the authorization is for 60 days, not two months. Day of arrival counts as day 1. You must leave by the 60th day at the latest. There’s no specific time or minute on the immigration stamp. I never said you could exceed 60 days without issues.

How many times have you taken a flight from Europe—direct or not—that got you into BKK after midnight?

Hi there

Not Europe, but lots of flights from Asia land mainly between midnight and 2 AM.

I keep saying that the authorization is for 60 days, not two months. Day of arrival is day 1. You must leave by the 60th day at the latest. There’s no specific time or minute on the immigration stamp. I never said you could exceed 60 days without issues.

Yeah, that’s true—you really gotta stress the 60-day maximum.

Hi there, Just a question for those who travel to Thailand often—what’s the deal with the ETA? I was in Thailand last March, and there were rumors about a possible mandatory ETA in 2025, with or without a tourist tax. If anyone has any fresh updates, I’d love to hear them—I’m planning to head back there in a few months. Thanks! Premaria

Hello, Just a question for those familiar with Thailand: what’s the deal with the ETA? I was in Thailand last March, and there was talk of a possible mandatory ETA in 2025, with or without a tourist tax. If anyone has any fresh news, I’d love to hear it—I’m planning to go back there in a few months. Thanks, Premaria

Hi,

Just the TDAC to fill out (3 days before your flight) for immigration in Thailand. The tourist tax isn’t happening at the moment.

Hi,

3 jours avant

Nope, that’s not quite it. Within the last 72 hours before arrival.

Hello,

3 days before

Nope, that’s not quite it. Within the 72 hours prior to arrival.

Hi, You’re splitting hairs here.

72 hours = 24 hours × 3 days (same difference)

You're playing with words

72 hours = 24 hours x 3 days (same difference)

No, it’s not the same thing. For example, if you plan to arrive on the 5th at 1 PM, "3 days before" would mean you can fill out the TDAC all day on the 2nd, whereas "72 hours before" means you can only fill it out starting at 1 PM on the 2nd for it to be valid.

The Thai Embassy clearly states in red: "within 72 hours before entering Thailand." http://www.thaiembassy.fr/fr/visa-rdv/infos-generales/thailand-digital-arrival-card-tdac/

You're splitting hairs

72 hours = 24 hours x 3 days (same difference)

No, it's not the same thing. For example, if you plan to arrive on the 5th at 1 PM, "3 days before" would mean you can fill out the TDAC all day on the 2nd, whereas "72 hours before" means you can only fill it out starting at 1 PM on the 2nd for it to be valid.

The Thai Embassy clearly states in red "within 72 hours before entering Thailand." http://www.thaiembassy.fr/fr/visa-rdv/infos-generales/thailand-digital-arrival-card-tdac/

Hi, I did a simulation of the TDAC with my details. When you get to the arrival date section, a table opens where you can indicate your arrival day. However, only 3 days are available. For example: I fill out my TDAC on August 6th, I can indicate my arrival day up to August 9th, but not beyond.

Exactly, the Thai Embassy in Paris states it must be done 72 hours before arrival.

Assumption: A flight from CDG lands at 9:00 AM on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in BKK (3:00 AM Paris time). So, following the logic, You can fill out your TDAC starting from Monday, September 15, 2025, at 4:00 AM (Paris time).

To avoid any complications, I suggest doing it 2 days before or within the 48 hours prior.

To avoid any complications, I suggest doing it 2 days before or within 48 hours prior.

Hi, If they say 72 hours before or 3 days, know there are reasons for it. For the 48 hours before, it depends on what time your flight to Thailand departs. Don’t forget that airlines may ask you to show proof of the TDCA procedure. For example: AIRFRANCE, EMIRATES, THAIAIRWAYS

To avoid any complications, I suggest doing it 2 days before or within 48 hours prior.

Gosh, you’re all scaring me with this new form I’ll do it 48 hours before, hoping I fill out the right form..., on the right site..., and don’t get any nasty surprises on arrival...

To avoid any complications, I suggest doing it 2 days before or within 48 hours prior.

Damn, you’re all scaring me with this new form I’ll do it 48 hours before, hoping I fill out the right form..., on the right site..., and don’t get any nasty surprises upon arrival...

Hi, You can do it 3 days before (72 hours). Example: You arrive on Saturday, September 13, 2025. You can complete the TDAC online On Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Nothing complicated. And the boxes without a red star are optional.

Thanks to both of you for your replies. And to know which site to go to, I guess I can find the info on the embassy’s website? My last trip was at the end of 2023—it wasn’t in effect yet

Here: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home

One per person, of course. It's free, so watch out for pirate sites that charge you.

Awesome! Thanks a lot!

One per person, of course. It's free, so watch out for pirate sites that charge you.

Hi there, You can add one or more passengers. After the health section and before finalizing, you click on "another passenger" and repeat the process for as many other people as needed.

OK, I didn’t know that.

OK, I didn't know.

Yes, to complete the information:

After filling out the Health section and before finalizing the file, you need to click the **ADD OTHER TRAVELERS** button, and then you start the process again to add a passenger.

Got it, thanks so much!

Hi there, Just a little heads-up: For those flying to Thailand with Air France, In the three days before arrival, They ask you to send them a copy of the TDAC per passenger as an attachment. This is to avoid having to present it during check-in and to prevent long waits. There’s a risk of not being allowed to board for those who don’t have a TDAC.

Hi there,

I came across this discussion. Having traveled to Thailand many times over the years—often staying for several weeks or even 2 to 3 months—I tend to get a bit complacent about the formalities I know. But here’s the thing: in Thailand, the rules change quite often, a bit too much if you ask me! I’m aware of the DTAC (I’ve done it twice already this year!), but now I have a question that doesn’t seem to have been covered here:

- Is there a limit to the number of entries allowed in a year in Thailand by air, under the visa exemption scheme (which allows a 60-day stay)? From what I remember—and as far as I know—there’s no limit as long as it’s by air.

I’m asking because the last time I went through immigration at BKK, the officer (who was otherwise lovely) told me, “2 or 3 times max, otherwise get a visa”—which really surprised me!

Hi there, I've been an expat in Bangkok since 2021 and fill out the TDAC regularly. Here’s how it works in practice.

What is the TDAC: It’s the digital arrival form that replaced the old paper TM6 form. It’s mandatory for all travelers entering Thailand since 2025. You fill it out online BEFORE your arrival.

How to fill it out: - Go to the official website tdac.immigration.go.th - Create an account with your email - Fill in your personal details (passport, flight, accommodation in Thailand) - Submit at least 72 hours before your flight (recommended, even though technically you can do it later) - You’ll receive a QR code by email — that’s your golden ticket at immigration

Common pitfalls: - It can be buggy on mobile, so do it on a computer instead - The hotel address must match your first night — you don’t need to list your entire stay - If you’re transiting (e.g., a layover in Singapore), you must indicate the airport of arrival IN THAILAND - The site can be slow during peak hours — don’t leave it until the day before your departure

Upon arrival: Show your QR code (on your phone or printed) to the immigration officer. It’s much faster than the old paper system. Last time at Suvarnabhumi, I cleared immigration in 10 minutes on a Sunday evening.

It’s really not complicated — 10 minutes online and you’re done. The key is not to forget to do it before your departure.