Dreaming of a White Lotus-inspired vacation or hoping to take a selfie with Moo Deng, social media’s favorite pygmy hippo, within the background?
Earlier than you jet off to Thailand, don’t overlook to file your paperwork first.
Ranging from 1 Could, all non-Thai nationals getting into the nation by air, land or sea should full a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) earlier than arrival.
What’s the Thailand Digital Arrival Card – and the way do you get one?
This new arrival card replaces paper varieties to streamline the immigration course of and higher safe Thailand’s border entry system.
The TDAC system can be synced with the immigration bureau’s biometric database, permitting officers to shortly examine the legal backgrounds of worldwide arrivals.
Travellers should register inside three days of their arrival (that means, inside three days of travelling to Thailand).
After finishing your registrationon-line, you’ll obtain a QR code to current at your immigration checkpoint on arrival.
That’s it. There aren’t any charges and no different steps. However it’s very important to recollect to do it, or you’ll be denied entry.
From Could onward, the TDAC can be necessary for all international passport holders, together with vacationers, enterprise travellers and long-term residents.
The one exceptions apply to travellers transiting or transferring by way of Thailand with out passing by way of immigration management.
Journey to Thailand is surging – once more
With its idyllic tropical surroundings, addictive delicacies and legendary hospitality, Thailand way back developed from its Hippie Path roots into one of many world’s prime journey locations.
In 2019, practically 40 million guests arrived within the nation, rating it among the many ten most-visited nations globally. Regardless of a worldwide lull in journey in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the momentum hasn’t slowed a lot.
Within the first three months of 2025 alone, 9.5 million travellers touched down – many drawn by viral moments that unfold like wildfire on-line.
Take Moo Deng, the hose-loving pygmy hippo whose identify means “bouncy pork.” After a video of the slippery toddler splashing round at Khao Kheow Open Zoo lit up social media final 12 months, crowds surged. The zoo, about an hour from Bangkok, smashed attendance data – and it’s nonetheless drawing hundreds of day by day guests.
Then got here the White Lotus impact. The most recent season of the darkish comedy, filmed on the sun-drenched islands of Phuket and Koh Samui, has re-ignited wanderlust amongst world viewers seeking to vacation in excessive type.
In keeping with Lodges.com, the ultra-luxury 4 Seasons Koh Samui web site noticed a40 per cent improve in searches for property after it was introduced as a filming location.
Regardless of anearthquake in March, journey has continued unabated to a rustic typically referred to as “Teflon Thailand” for its skill to bounce again from unrest and disruptions.
Whether or not you’re heading to Thailand to fulfil a luxurious fantasy or spot its internet-famous wildlife, step one to getting there now occurs earlier than you even go away residence.
Simply be sure your QR code is prepared earlier than you depart.