From May 2025, Thailand will switch to TM6 digital immigration forms for all foreigners arriving in the kingdom by air, land, or sea.
From May 1, 2025, Thailand will require all arriving foreigners to fill out digital TM6 immigration forms. This innovation is designed to improve security and efficiency in tracking tourists and combat negative perceptions of the country. Plans to introduce a 300 baht tourist fee have been shelved.
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has been preparing to launch and promote the new system. This week, the department held an internal meeting with the Immigration Bureau to demonstrate it online.
On January 31, all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, will meet to familiarize them with the new procedure in detail and help inform foreigners.
Ministry Permanent Secretary Natthriya Thaweewong said the digital TM6 forms will replace the paper counterparts temporarily suspended by the Cabinet on April 15, 2024. The online form is expected to track travelers’ movements more effectively, increasing confidence in security in Thailand.
Mongkon Wimonrath, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry, emphasized that the government has prioritized the implementation of digital TM6 forms, postponing other planned entry verification measures to avoid confusion among tourists. He clarified that completing the online TM6 form will be mandatory for all arrivals to Thailand by air, land, and sea. The Cabinet is expected to approve the scheme next month to give everyone involved time to prepare.
A source at the ministry, who wished to remain anonymous, said that with the imminent introduction of online TM6 forms, the likelihood of postponing the introduction of the 300 baht tourist levy has increased significantly. The government is keen for the TM6 processing to run smoothly, and the source said it could take several months to a year to get the system up and running.
The source added that, given the recent news about illegal networks using Thailand as a transit point to neighboring countries, the government probably considers the current time inappropriate for introducing the levy.
The introduction of other pre-verification measures, such as the electronic travel authorization used in some countries to get visa-free travelers approved before arrival, has also been postponed. This decision has been taken to ensure a smooth transition to online TM6 forms.
The introduction of TM6 digital immigration forms is a significant step in developing Thailand’s tourism infrastructure. It aims to simplify the entry process for foreigners while improving security in the country. The government’s further steps in this direction will depend on the success of the new system’s implementation and the overall situation in the region.
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