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TDAC.travel

Thailand arrival questions, answered

Ten questions, ten short answers, checked on 28 September 2026.

Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card mandatory?

Yes. Every foreign passport holder needs one for each entry, including children and infants. Airlines and immigration check it. Transit passengers who do not clear immigration do not need it.

How early can I file the arrival card?

Only inside the 72 hours before you land. The system does not accept earlier submissions. Set a reminder three days before your flight.

Is the arrival card free?

Yes, on the Thai Immigration Bureau's portal. Independent services charge a fee for checking and filing on your behalf; that is optional.

My flight changed. Is my card still valid?

If the flight number or the arrival date changed, no: file a new card with the new details. If the flight is only delayed on the same day and keeps its number, the card stays valid.

How long can I stay without a visa?

30 days for citizens of 60 countries and territories, since 15 September 2026. One extension of up to 30 days is possible at an immigration office for 1,900 THB.

Can I enter by land without a visa?

Yes, but visa-exempt land entries are capped at two per calendar year, except for citizens of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore.

Is the 300-baht entry fee being charged?

Not as of this update. It has been approved and delayed several times. Nobody should ask you for it at the border.

Can I use the automatic gates at Suvarnabhumi?

If you are one of the 33 eligible nationalities, have filed the arrival card, have visited Thailand before and enter visa-free, yes. Otherwise use the Foreign Passport counters.

What if I forgot to file before landing?

Connect to the airport Wi-Fi, log in with your passport number, and file on your phone before you reach the counter. It takes about five minutes. Kiosks exist but the queue is slower.

Do I need proof of onward travel?

Officers can ask for it, and airlines often check before boarding. Carry a ticket out of Thailand within your permitted stay.

SIX ANSWERS AT A GLANCE

Six answers about arriving in Thailand: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is mandatory for every foreign passport including children, with airside transit the only exception; it can be filed only inside the 72 hours before landing; it is free on the Immigration Bureau's portal while independent filing services charge an optional fee; a new flight number or arrival date needs a new card but a same-day delay does not; the visa-free stay is 30 days for 60 countries and territories with one 30-day extension for 1,900 THB; and visa-exempt land entries are limited to two per calendar year except for Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore. The 300-baht entry fee is approved but not collected, and an onward ticket should be carried.
The six questions asked most often before a flight to Thailand, answered in one line each.