Thailands Upcoming Mandatory Digital Arrival Card Faces Online Backlash. As Thailand prepares to roll out its Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on May 1, 2025, replacing the paper-based TM6 form, the initiative is meeting with a wave of criticism online.- The Pattaya News

Thailands Upcoming Mandatory Digital Arrival Card Faces Online Backlash

Adam JuddTuesday, 1 April 2025, 4:39

Thailand

As Thailand prepares to roll out its Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on May 1, 2025, replacing the paper-based TM6 form, the initiative is meeting with a wave of criticism online.

Intended to modernize immigration and streamline tourist entry, the TDAC requires all foreign travelers to submit personal and travel details digitally before arrival as we detailed here in depth at TPN Media. However, instead of enthusiasm, the response from netizens has been largely negative, with frustration and confusion dominating the conversation.

Travelers have taken to platforms like X and Facebook to voice their concerns. Many argue that the shift to a digital system adds unnecessary complexity to an already straightforward process. One user lamented that scrapping the TM6 was a smart move, only for this "hot mess" of a replacement to undo that progress, calling it an annoyance that fails to enhance security or efficiency.

Others have pointed out practical issues, such as the lack of clarity around the application process, with reports of a glitchy website and an unhelpful video tutorial fueling the discontent. For those less tech-savvy, like elderly travelers or those with potential language barriers, the absence of a clear backup plan has sparked worries about accessibility.

Foreign residents of Thailand have added their own grievances to the mix, particularly over a glaring apparent oversight in the TDAC application: It currently doesn't allow users to select Thailand as their place of residence. Expats and long-term visa holders have flooded online forums and social media with complaints, arguing that the system seems designed solely for tourists, leaving them in a bureaucratic limbo. One X user, a retiree living in Chiang Mai, vented that after years of calling Thailand home, they're now forced to misrepresent their status or risk rejection at the border. This flaw has intensified perceptions that the rollout was poorly thought out, alienating a key group of Thailand's international community.

Social media posts also highlight fears of delays and technical hiccups. Commenters have questioned what happens if a QR code—meant to be presented at immigration—fails to generate, leaving travelers stranded after expensive flights. The integration with systems like e-Visa and tourist fee collection has some wondering if this is less about convenience and more about data harvesting or future fees, further souring perceptions.

While Thai officials tout the TDAC as a step toward efficiency and safety, the online reaction suggests a rocky road ahead, despite officials also saying there will be ample backup options to help people through Immigration who struggled with the form. With the launch date looming, the chorus of skepticism could pressure authorities to address these concerns—or risk alienating the very tourists and residents they aim to accommodate.