Bangkok : Thailand is launching a digital immigration form for foreign arrivals, effective May 1, 2025, announced the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The move is aimed at improving public perceptions around tourist tracking and safety.

The shift to online replaces previous paper-based applications, as one, known as TM6, was suspended in 2024.

The "landing card" used to be distributed to arriving passengers by airline staff, however, it was reported that the system came in for criticism after it was revealed the paperwork was piling up in warehouses with no proper scrutiny.

Paperwork, such as the TM30 form, was also supposed to be submitted by hotels and accommodation providers, however, in reality, arrivals were not properly monitored or recorded, as per reports.

The problems caused by a lack of proper tracking came to a head recently, after a series of incidents involving foreign visitors, mainly from China, who were abducted into Myanmar.

Therefore, from May 1, all foreign arrivals whether by aircraft, overland transport, or by sea, will be required to complete the new online registration form before departure to the Southeast Asian kingdom-one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The form is available via a Thai government-run website.

While the system is free to access, it is intended to work in tandem with other pre-screening measures, such as Thailand's electronic visa (e-visa) system brought in on January 1, 2025. The e-visa applies to all, except passport holders from visa-exempt countries.

"This free, user-friendly system is prioritized to avoid confusion before introducing other screening measures," reports said citing Mongkon, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Thailand. "It could take months, even a year, to fine-tune the TM6 process."