Previously, we shared the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand’s announcement that there won’t be any extension for the suspension of the arrival and departure card requirement past 30 April 2025 for foreign visitors to the country.
Instead, a digital version of the arrival and departure card, known as the Tor Mor 6 (T.M.6) form, will be implemented for all foreign arrivals, including Malaysians, by air, land and sea starting next month.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
For illustration purposes
Well, the digital arrival and departure card system has since gone live, known as the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). While it is optional for the time being, TDAC will be mandatory starting next month, and you are required to fill it out up to 3 days before you arrive in the Land of Smiles.
Specifically, TDAC is mandatory for all foreign passport holders, including tourists, business travellers and long-term residents.
Those who are not required to fill out TDAC are those transiting or transferring through Thailand without passing through immigration control, and those entering Thailand using a Border Pass.
So, what information is required, and how do you access the system? Fret not, as we’ve compiled the steps for you below, so just follow the steps as follows:
1. Access the TDAC online portal here and choose “Arrival Card”
The other option, “Update Arrival Card”, is for those who had filled out the TDAC before and want to edit the details. We’ll elaborate more on that later.
2. Fill out your personal information as per your passport
Unless you’re planning on getting a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for longer stays in Thailand, the “Visa No.” entry should be left empty, as Malaysians can enjoy visa-free stays in the Kingdom.
3. Fill out your trip details and accommodation information
For your “Purpose of Travel”, there are 10 options to choose from, which include:
- Holiday
- Meeting
- Sports
- Business
- Incentive
- Medical and Wellness
- Education
- Convention
- Employment
- Exhibition
If your reason for visiting Thailand is not part of the above, select “Others” and specify your purpose of travel in the given box.
Do note that the Thai Immigration Bureau has warned that foreign nationals are not allowed to work in the country unless granted a work permit, so choosing “employment” without the proper permits may get you in trouble with the Thai Immigration officers.
TDAC also requires you to disclose the mode of travel, transport and flight/vessel/vehicle number when departing the country, hence you must book them in advance before entering Thailand.
As for those of you who are planning to bring your own vehicle to Thailand, you must disclose your vehicle plate number in the given box.
For types of accommodation, TDAC allows you to choose from the 5 options below:
- Hotel
- Youth Hostel
- Guest House
- Friend’s House
- Apartment
Should your accommodation not be part of the options above, select “Others” and specify the type of accommodation in the given box.
If there are multiple accommodations during your trip, you only need to fill out your first accommodation while in Thailand.
4. Disclose the countries you have stayed in the past 2 weeks before arriving in Thailand as part of your health declaration
Moreover, you need to provide your email address and accept the terms and conditions in order to submit. Speaking of which, here are TDAC’s terms and conditions:
5. Press submit, and you’ll receive a confirmation email at the email address you provided.
Present the email and other travel documents to the Thai Immigration officer upon arrival for verification. In the email, you’ll also get a TDAC number, which you can use to access the system and update your arrival card if there are any changes.
You can access the system by selecting the “Update Arrival Card” in step 1.
That’s about it! Before you complain about Thailand requiring Malaysians and other foreign nationals to fill out the TDAC, do note that Malaysia also implements a similar requirement, aptly called the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).
So, what do you guys think of the TDAC system? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
