TM6 Forms Return, Tourism Tax and Other Plans Postponed
2025 will see Thai immigration regulations change course yet again as the government announces the return of the TM6 form. This form, which has been waived for some time, will return in digital form via the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system and will be mandatory for all foreign visitors to Thailand.
The Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Natthriya Thaweevong, stated that this new TM6 measure will be implemented to “modernize entry procedures” and improve security and tourism safety.
Additionally, the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mongkon Wimonrat, explained that other new travel regulations that were to be implemented later in 2025 are now being postponed in order to give the government time to sort out the new TDAC system and avoid traveler confusion.
What is the TM6 Form?
The original TM6 form was a paper card that needed to be filled out by all foreign arrivals which recorded the traveler’s identifying information and their accommodation while in Thailand. This travel requirement was suspended by the Thai government in April of 2024 to increase tourism and, ironically, prepare Thai Immigration for the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which is now delayed in order to implement the new TM6 system.
The purpose of the TM6 form is to keep track of foreign arrivals to better screen criminals, fight trafficking, and increase the overall security of the nation.
The old paper version of the TM6 not only had to be filled out and presented to the border agent upon arrival in Thailand, but visitors also needed to keep it with them and present it to Immigration again when they left Thailand or face a fine. Furthermore, this form was required for many visa-related processes, such as the 90-day report and visa extensions, so the TM6 was not just a concern for tourists, but resident expats as well.
The New Thailand Digital Arrival Card System for TM6
Starting May 1st, 2025, all non-Thai citizens regardless of visa status will be required to fill out and submit a digital version of the TM6 immigration form before they are granted entry to Thailand.
The TDAC will be mandatory for all arrivals, including those coming in by land, sea, and air, but there will be no cost involved. As with the old TM6, even those foreigners with long-term Thai visas and residency will be required to fill out the TDAC.
The TDAC will be available through several portals, providing multiple ways to complete the TM6:
- The Thailand E-Visa system
- The Department of Disease Control’s disease-screening system
- The tourist fee-collection system (TBD)
Each of these systems can process a TDAC application and provide a digital copy of a TM6 form. Foreign visitors must present this to the border control officer upon arrival, or they will be denied entry.
Visitors are advised to keep this digital TM6 card saved on a mobile device with a backup copy, preferably uploaded to the cloud. Foreigners will need to show it again when they depart, and long-term foreign residents of Thailand will use it for several other purposes, such as the 90-day report or a Thai visa extension.
Tourism Tax and Electronic Travel Authorization System Postponed
In addition to announcing the new TM6 form, the Thai government also mentioned that the implementation of two upcoming changes to immigration regulations would be postponed.
The Thai ETA
Announced in 2024, this system will require all visa-free travelers to Thailand to fill out a different digital form via the E-Visa system before entering Thailand. The implementation of this new requirement was also touted as a measure to strengthen national security.
Initially, the ETA was slated to be introduced in December of 2024 and made mandatory by June 2025, but with the introduction of the new TM6 form, this has been delayed.
Mr. Mongkon stated that tourism officials need to put their full focus on the new TM6 system to ensure it works properly when released and that two electronic travel requirements going live at around the same time would cause confusion. Therefore, they made the decision to indefinitely postpone the ETA’s introduction.
The 300-Baht Thai Tourism Tax
While not officially stated, sources in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports stated that it is likely that the Thai tourist tax set to be implemented later this year would also be delayed because of the new TM6 system.
The tourism tax used to be levied on all foreign arrivals to Thailand, but was canceled to promote tourism. This caused a drop in revenue that led the government to make plans to reintroduce this tax, but the issue remains contentious. The plan has been delayed, reinstated, altered, and delayed again several times over the past few years.
In 2024, it was announced that the tourism tax would finally be implemented in 2025, charging all foreign visitors 300 baht via the E-Visa system to fund tourism infrastructure and increase capacity. However, it appears this plan will be delayed yet again for the same reason as the ETA: the government does not think it can handle implementing two digital travel requirements at the same time.
Eliminate Immigration Uncertainty for Your Trip to Thailand
If you’re planning to go to Thailand in 2025 and are anxious about all of these new requirements and procedures, contact Siam Legal. We’re a full-service law firm and visa agency with over 20 years of experience helping foreigners enter Thailand swiftly and smoothly.
We can help you make sense of Thailand’s many travel regulations and apply for the Thai visa that best suits your needs so that immigration issues don’t hamper your trip and you can enjoy the Land of Smiles free of visa worries.
Category: Travel to Thailand
