Going To Thailand? Watch Out For Fake Sites Charging RM43 For An Arrival Card That's Free
Starting 1 May, all foreigners need to fill out an arrival card online.
By Tamara Jayne — 02 May 2025, 10:00 AM
If you're planning a trip to Thailand soon, here's something you really need to know before packing your bags and hopping on that flight
Thai authorities just launched the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on 1 May — a system that replaces the old-school paper TM6 arrival card that travellers used to fill out when entering the country.
It is now required for all foreign visitors entering Thailand by air, sea or land.
However, fraudulent websites have already appeared
On the very same day the TDAC system went live, the first fake website was spotted pretending to be an official third-party provider.
It looks legit, but it charges travellers a processing fee of USD10 (around RM43) — when in reality, the real TDAC is completely free.
According to the Bangkok Post, the bogus site has been duping travellers who might not know better.
So, how does the real TDAC work?
Super simple. Just head to the official TDAC website, fill in your details within three days before your arrival, and you'll get a confirmation email.
There was a bit of confusion about the deadline, but the Immigration Bureau has since cleared the air: you can submit your TDAC application up to three days before you arrive, but not earlier than that.
If things go sideways (like if you forget or run into tech issues), don't panic — the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports says there are backup measures in place
You can still fill out a paper form temporarily, and there are computer terminals at Suvarnabhumi Airport in case you need to complete the TDAC on the spot.
