Thailand replaced its paper TM6 arrival card with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) in 2024. If you are flying into Thailand, including into Chiang Mai's international airport, you now complete this form online before you board rather than on paper in the air. It is free, takes about five minutes, and using the official government portal is the only way to do it correctly.
This guide covers exactly what the TDAC is, when to complete it, how the form works step by step, and the most common mistakes that cause problems at the immigration desk.
What Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
The TDAC is Thailand's electronic pre-arrival registration system. Before the TDAC, travellers filled out a paper TM6 card on the plane and handed it to an immigration officer on arrival. The paper card is now abolished. The TDAC collects the same information digitally: your passport details, flight number, arrival date, and accommodation address in Thailand.
Completing the TDAC does not grant you a visa or change your visa status. It is an arrival registration tool, not a visa application. Your visa or visa exemption still applies as normal based on your nationality and the length of your stay.
When to Complete the TDAC
Complete the TDAC within 72 hours before your arrival in Thailand. Earlier submissions are not accepted by the system. The 72-hour window opens automatically, so if you submit too early the system will reject it.
The ideal time is the evening before you travel or the morning of your departure day. Do not leave it until you are at the airport or on the plane. Airport Wi-Fi is unreliable and completing a form with poor connectivity adds stress to an already busy process.
How to Complete the TDAC: Step by Step
Go directly to the official Thai Immigration portal at tdac.immigration.go.th. Do not use any third-party site or app claiming to submit the TDAC for you. Several scam sites charge fees for a free government service and some submit incorrect information.
The form asks for:
- Passport number, nationality, and expiry date
- Flight number and scheduled arrival date
- First address in Thailand (hotel name, number, and street are sufficient)
- Contact details including an email address
After submitting, you receive a confirmation by email with a QR code. Save this confirmation on your phone or print it. Some airlines ask to see it at check-in. Immigration officers may or may not scan it on arrival, but have it accessible regardless.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent issue is completing the form on a mobile browser where the interface is compressed and fields are easy to miss. If you have a laptop or tablet available, use it. The desktop version of the site is clearer and less prone to input errors.
Passport number errors are the second most common problem. Type the number exactly as it appears in your passport including any leading zeroes. A single digit wrong means the TDAC does not match your travel document and you will face extra scrutiny at immigration.
The accommodation address field confuses some travellers who are staying with friends, renting a long-term property, or moving between locations. Enter your first night's address. If you do not have a confirmed address yet, enter the name and address of a well-known hotel in the area where you will arrive. This field is an arrival registration detail, not a binding itinerary.
TDAC for Chiang Mai Arrivals
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is a smaller airport than Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang in Bangkok but the TDAC requirement is identical. Whether you fly into Bangkok and connect to Chiang Mai domestically, or fly direct into CNX, you complete one TDAC for your international arrival into Thailand.
Domestic connections within Thailand after your international arrival do not require a separate TDAC. You complete it once for the entry into the country, not for each flight segment.
What Happens If You Don't Complete the TDAC
If you arrive without a completed TDAC, immigration officers can require you to complete it at the airport before processing. This adds time to your arrival and can mean waiting at a desk while the queue moves on around you. Some airlines have begun checking TDAC confirmation at check-in as a condition of boarding, though this is not yet universal.
There is currently no fine for arriving without a TDAC, but the system is relatively new and enforcement practices may tighten. Completing it before you travel costs nothing and takes five minutes. Not completing it can cost you 30 to 60 minutes at arrival.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- TDAC replaces the paper TM6 card. Complete it online within 72 hours of your Thai arrival.
- It is free. Use only tdac.immigration.go.th. Ignore any site charging a fee.
- Save your email confirmation with the QR code. Airlines may ask for it at check-in.
- One TDAC per international arrival. Domestic connections in Thailand do not need a separate submission.
- Complete it on a desktop browser if possible. The mobile version can be fiddly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes, completely free. The only official submission portal is tdac.immigration.go.th. Any website charging you money to submit a TDAC is a scam. The form takes around five minutes to complete and the QR code confirmation arrives by email immediately after submission.
When should I complete the TDAC before travelling to Thailand?
Complete it within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in Thailand. The system rejects submissions made earlier than 72 hours. The evening before travel or the morning of your departure day is ideal. Do not leave it until you are at the airport or airborne.
What address do I put on the TDAC if I am not staying in a hotel?
Enter your actual first night's address if you have it. If you are staying with someone or have not confirmed your first accommodation, enter the address of a well-known hotel in the area. This is an arrival registration detail, not a binding declaration of your full itinerary.
Do I need a TDAC for a connecting flight through Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
You complete one TDAC for your international arrival into Thailand. If you fly internationally into Bangkok and then take a domestic flight to Chiang Mai, the TDAC is for the international Bangkok arrival only. Domestic legs within Thailand do not require a separate TDAC.
What happens if I forget to complete the TDAC before arriving?
You will likely be directed to complete it at the immigration desk before being processed. This adds delay and can mean you wait while other passengers move through the queue. Some airlines now check for TDAC confirmation at check-in. Complete it before you travel to avoid any issues.
Guru Tip
Screenshot your TDAC confirmation QR code and save it to your phone's camera roll, not just your email. Airport Wi-Fi and roaming data can be unreliable at arrival halls. A saved image in your gallery opens instantly with no connection required, and having it visible in three seconds is far easier than searching an inbox while tired after a long flight.
