THIM in Thailand: New Immigration App for Travelers, but TDAC Remains Mandatory

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Alisa Oberan
CEO
22.08.2026 00:37

THIM in Thailand: New Immigration App for Travelers, but TDAC Remains Mandatory

Thailand is testing a new digital immigration application for foreign travelers: Thailand Immigration Management, or THIM, is already available as a pilot, with the full official launch expected by August 2026. The most important practical message for Hungarian tourists: THIM is not currently a new separate entry requirement and does not replace the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC. Those preparing for Thailand must still rely on the official TDAC registration, while the new app may bring faster, more convenient, and broader digital administration in the future.

This news is important because Thailand is one of the most popular distant winter and exotic holiday destinations for Hungarian travelers: Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, and Chiang Mai appear in many travel plans, often with transfers in Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, or European cities. A new immigration application may seem like a minor administrative change at first, but in practice, it can determine how smooth the arrival after a long flight is, how much time remains for connections, and what documents must be prepared before departure.

What happened now?

According to information from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai Immigration Bureau has opened pilot access to the THIM application. The goal of the app is to allow foreign citizens to pre-record their basic data related to travel and stay, and later evolve into a broader digital immigration service interface.

The current target date for full official implementation is August 2026. In the pilot phase, the application is downloadable on iOS and Android, but authorities emphasize: the use of THIM is currently optional, and passengers can still complete the TDAC through the already functioning official channels. This is particularly important because travelers can easily confuse the new app with the already mandatory digital arrival card.

According to a report by The Nation, the development of the application is driven by a dual goal: authorities want to simultaneously improve the tracking of foreigners' stays and reduce congestion and administrative inconvenience at airports and immigration offices. According to the article, Thailand's immigration system handles approximately 30 million foreign tourists annually, meaning it is not a small amount of administrative traffic.

What can THIM do in the pilot phase?

One practical function of THIM is that the traveler can take a photo of their passport, and the application automatically reads and stores the basic data. After this, the user must provide their Thai accommodation, travel data, and the purpose of entry. These are essentially the same pieces of information linked to the TDAC arrival data.

According to the TAT, individual registration is expected to take at most three minutes. The application also supports group registration for up to ten travelers at once. This can be useful for families, groups of friends, and organized tours, as not every piece of data needs to be processed on a separate device in a completely independent process.

At the start of the pilot, the app supports four main languages: English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese. The developers plan to add at least 15 more languages. There is no official confirmation regarding the Hungarian language yet, so Hungarian travelers should currently expect an English-language interface.

TDAC remains the mandatory basic step

The most important misunderstanding to avoid: THIM does not mean that TDAC has disappeared. According to official Thai government information, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an online pre-registration system that must be completed by every traveler with a foreign passport, regardless of whether they are a tourist, business traveler, or holder of another visa type. Thai citizens and permanent residents are exempt.

According to the government guide, the TDAC must be filled out online at least 72 hours before travel. The traveler must provide, among other things, their name as it appears on the passport, flight information, Thai accommodation, and the purpose of the trip. The confirmation must be presented at immigration control upon arrival.

It is also essential that the TDAC is officially free of charge. The Thai government site directs travelers to the official TDAC channel, and in practice, it is advisable to avoid any intermediary or advertised site that offers a paid arrival card. Due to personal data, passport numbers, and travel plans, it is especially important that travelers fill out the necessary data exclusively through official channels.

Why does this matter to Hungarian travelers?

From Hungary to Thailand, there is generally no simple, short route like a European city visit. Most passengers arrive in Bangkok or at an island airport after a long flight, transfer, and time difference. In such cases, every pre-completed administrative step can reduce stress: you don't have to search for the accommodation address, flight number, or passport data while tired in line.

Those heading to Thailand often depart from Budapest Airport, then continue their journey in Bangkok, Phuket, or a domestic transfer point. If someone enters the country at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, it is worth thinking through the first few hours after arrival: will there be a further domestic flight, is a hotel near the airport needed, or will they go immediately to the city. For longer transfers and late evening arrivals, reviewing accommodations around Bangkok BKK airport can also be useful.

In the case of Phuket and Koh Samui, the entry and first-day logistics can be even more sensitive, as island routes often involve hotel transfers, ferries, domestic flights, or car rentals. Those traveling to Phuket should check the Phuket International Airport page and the Phuket airport transfer and taxi options before departure. For tours or family vacations, Phuket airport car rental may also be part of the plan, but this should only be decided if the route, driving experience, and insurance conditions are in order.

Not just a technical innovation: Thailand seeks a new direction in tourism

THIM is not a standalone development. In recent months, Thailand has indicated several steps aimed at the quality of tourism, security, digital administration, and more sustainable visitor traffic in the long term. According to a June announcement from the TAT, the organization is also strengthening its cooperation with the Agoda platform to better understand demand through travel data, digital tools, and targeted marketing, supporting domestic tourism, wellness travel, and lesser-known destinations, as well as the Trusted Thailand initiative.

From the perspective of a Hungarian traveler, this means that Thailand does not simply want more visitors, but is building a better organized, better managed, and more reliable tourism system. The digital arrival card, THIM, automated airport solutions, and data-driven tourism marketing are all part of the same direction: faster administration, stronger control, and more accurate information with fewer unnecessary delays.

At the same time, travelers must remain cautious. An app in the pilot phase may still change, functions are not necessarily final, and official requirements may be updated. It is not advisable to rely solely on social media posts, travel forums, or paid intermediary sites. Before departing for Thailand, always check the current information from the Thai Immigration Bureau, the TAT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the airline.

Updates must also be monitored for visa-free rules

Alongside THIM, another part of the Thai entry rules is in motion. According to a May announcement from the TAT, the Thai cabinet approved a review of the 60-day visa-free system operating since 2024. The modified conditions will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. According to the announcement, some of the countries and territories previously part of the 60-day system will return to previous categories: citizens of 54 countries and territories may be eligible for 30-day visa-free entry, while citizens of three countries or territories may be eligible for 15-day visa-free entry, while separate bilateral agreements may still provide different durations.

This does not mean that every Hungarian travel plan has automatically changed, but it does mean that for a trip to Thailand, it is no longer enough to rely on old blog posts or last year's experiences. Those planning a stay in Thailand longer than 30 days, a digital nomad-style trip, multiple entries, or a Southeast Asian tour should be particularly careful to check the current entry conditions.

What should those preparing for Thailand do now?

  • Check the official TDAC filling requirements at least a few days before departure, and do not leave the data entry for the last few hours before arrival.
  • Provide passport and travel data only through official channels, as the TDAC is free of charge, and paid imitator sites can be risky.
  • If you try the THIM app, treat it as a pilot tool: it may be useful, but it currently does not replace the TDAC requirement.
  • Save confirmations, accommodation addresses, insurance data, and the next flight or transfer details offline.
  • For long transfers, late evening arrivals, or family travel, plan more time for immigration control, baggage, and onward travel from the airport.
  • If you continue from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phuket, or Koh Samui, separately check the domestic connections, as an administrative slip-up can easily disrupt the first day.

Summary

The introduction of THIM could be a development in a good direction for Thailand: if the system works stably, it can speed up data entry, assist group registration, and later make more immigration matters digital. For Hungarian travelers, however, the current practical conclusion is simple: the TDAC remains a mandatory basic step, and THIM is currently a pilot, not an additional entry permit.

Those preparing for Thailand in the summer or autumn of 2026 should incorporate the administration into their travel plan as already when booking flights and accommodation. Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, or Chiang Mai remain attractive destinations, but for a smooth arrival, today it is not just a good route and proper insurance that are needed, but also precise digital preparation. This does not take away from the travel experience, but rather helps ensure that the Thai holiday begins with the arrival, not with papers and lines, after the long journey.