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Do I need to complete a TDAC (Thailand Pass) for a 5.5-hour layover in Bangkok if I’m not passing through immigration?

TDACThailand PasstransitimmigrationThai Airwaysvisa rulesexpat advice
Apr 9, 2026
22 days ago
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Google doesnt give consistent answer. This is not a visa question but I am going to Laos through bangkok, same Airline company ( thai Airlines ) both legs. Length of stop in Bangkok is about 5,5h.

I am pretty sure I dont need to complete the TDAC since I dont pass migration? But on my previous trips to Thailand the Airlines have been very thorough checking the TDAC?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The general consensus among the commenters is that if you remain airside and do not pass through immigration during your 5.5-hour layover in Bangkok, you do not need to complete a TDAC (Thailand Pass). However, some airline requirements may vary, as certain airlines have been known to request proof of TDAC regardless of the layover situation. To avoid complications, filling out a TDAC might be the safest approach, even if it's not strictly necessary.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.in.th)

Sebastian ********
You do not need to fill in a TDAC because you remain airside on the transfer. I have never had to produce a TDAC at check in and use
@Thai ********
 regularly.
22 days ago
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Andy ********
It takes 5 minutes and it’s free !
22 days ago
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Ralph *******
Andy Peters But it’s not needed.
22 days ago
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Andy ********
Ralph Tyson ok don’t do it then ffs.
21 days ago
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Andy ********
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Floyd ******
I can understand his confusion because when I came back to Thailand last time I came through Mumbai India however the airline required that I have a tdac filled out for India it took a long time at the counter to get them to let me get on an airplane because I did not have an address in India to put on their tdac I put down the airport I said I'm just going to be a layover there for about 9 hours they finally cleared it saying I did not need to fill it out because I was Transit however when I got to Mumbai you had to go through there customs when you got off the plane I think the airline contacted somebody in their immigrations and they gave me some kind of a pass cuz it went through okay
22 days ago
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Alan **********
Awwww,,,,,, jeeez,,,,,,,,,

"If you're not passing through immigration, a TDAC is not required. If you leave the airport, a TDAC is required."

**********************************************************
%2D%20Email%20for%20Receiving%20the%20TDAC,need%20to%20submit%20a%20TDAC?

Look for "I'm transiting through Thailand. Do I need TDAC?"
22 days ago
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Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
And no I am not bending any rules.
21 days ago
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Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I have been there 8 times since May 2025. And Yes every flight since then I have been requested proof of TDAC from above mentioned Airlines. From copenhagen each time.
21 days ago
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Alan **********
Peter Backlund 8 times in 11 months ? Visa-exempt ?Very interesting.

So, why then did you say in your OP, "I am pretty sure I dont need to complete the TDAC since I dont pass migration?" if the airline(s) keep insisting you show them one ?

Wouldn't you just fill one out anyway, even though it was a transit situation ? I certainly would have.

Maybe it's a "Europe" thing ?

Qatar asked me about my return flight - because it was 90 days out, but certainly didn't ask for a TDAC. They must know one can fill it out on the plane, or even when the traveler lands.

Oh well,,,,,,, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
21 days ago
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Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alan Rothwell because on all my previous trips my destination was Thailand. This time it is only transfer. And fyi there are no limits on visa exempel entries, it is about reason and length of stays and I have reason and dont abuse the system. I asked a simple question if you dont have an answer why bother writing?
21 days ago
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Peter **********
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Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alan Rothwell I do know this. But I also know how thorough the Airline companies have gotten in order not to get in trouble.
22 days ago
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Alan **********
Peter Backlund The AIRLINE doesn't CARE about the TDAC. It's up to the passenger to fil it out online.

You do NOT need it to board, whether you're staying IN Thailand or connecting there.
22 days ago
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Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alan Rothwell not true. Qatar Airways, Etihad, and also Thai Airways Demands TDAC or they will not let you check in. At least from Europe. I have needed to show mine the last 8 flights from copenhagen.
22 days ago
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Alan **********
Peter Backlund The TDAC started May 1, less than 1 year ago. You've been there 8 times since ?

The TDAC replaces that little white card that passengers USED TO fill out ON the plane before it landed, and handed it in at the destination airport.

I used Qatar this past December. No TDAC required. 😉
21 days ago
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Alan **********
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Paul ******************
@Thaimer *****
 what address should he put for his accommodation in Thailand?

I think fabricating arrival card information is more complicated than telling the truth.

He's not going through immigration so he will not be asked to complete TDAC

Even if you are visiting Thailand and staying in Thailand and you haven't completed TDAC the immigration officer will direct you to fill one out.
22 days ago
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THAI ******************************
Hotel is NOT required for this case.

You can do this for free using our form and it will NOT require this info:

********************************


Sometimes the official form can be buggy in relation to the address field.

Our form is free if submitting within 72 hours of arrival.
22 days ago
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Paul ******************
@THAI *****************************
 no TDAC required for transit!
21 days ago
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THAI ******************************
@Paul *****************
 Yes but as mentioned some airlines require it.

There actually is a transit option on the TDAC if you choose same day deport.
21 days ago
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Paul ******************
@THAI *****************************
Visitors arrive every day in Thailand with no TDAC

They are then directed to complete a TDAC to allow them to pass through immigration
21 days ago
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THAI ******************************
@Paul *****************
 Yes you can complete it when you arrive, but as mentioned by others some airlines will hassle you.

The point is there is a transit option in the TDAC specifically. This is mainly for those who do pass immigration and change flights.
21 days ago
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Paul ******************
@THAI *****************************
 it would be useful if you could screenshot the transit visa option. I didn't realise that option is available. It didn't occur to me because it serves no official requirement.

You have just gained another follower🙂
21 days ago
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THAI ******************************
This is the actual checkbox.

But for our version of the TDAC our system will auto select this if you are leaving the same day, and do not provide accommodation.

The official form can be problematic if you select the wrong values first then try to update them. This is why many assume they need accommodation when they actually don't 😣
21 days ago
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Alan **********
@THAI *****************************
 I saw that, and, just as in your screenshot the box is "grayed out", i.e. it wouldn't allow me to check it.
21 days ago
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THAI ******************************
You normally can only select this checkbox if the days between your arrival/departure dates are 0 to 1.

It will only appear if you set both the arrival, and departure date, and even that being done sometimes it just does not work.

If you really must submit using these values you can use our free form within 72 hours of your arrival which always works:

********************************
20 days ago
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THAI ******************************
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Michael ********
Paul Singlehurst-Ward you put departure same day
22 days ago
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Paul ******************
Michael Dawson so when you remain airside and don't go through immigration, who is going to want to see an arrival card? You haven't arrived in Thailand until you go through immigration.

One of the comments above has a screenshot of FAQs from Immigration clearly stating that you don't need to complete a TDAC if you remain airside in transit.
22 days ago
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Paul ******************
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Peter **********
Paul Singlehurst-Ward Hjs address would be the Airport Terminal in Thailand (albeit airside). That is where he will be.
22 days ago
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Paul ******************
Peter H Bates he is not entering Thailand. That is done through immigration.
22 days ago
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Paul ******************
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Thaimer ******
Paul Singlehurst-Ward literally any hotel you found on google maps. No one bothers neither check that
22 days ago
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Roger **********
First suggestion is to sheck the TG website; and/or call to TG and ask them.as long as the journey is fully TG and on the one ticket, it should be OK. If you go through immigration, which is the only place where the TDAC is needed during the trip, you will be requested to show the ticket/boarding pass for the next leg. This did happen to me, during the paper immigration cards time.
22 days ago
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Gregor **********
@Thaimer *****
 The TDAC is an information for persons who will ENTER Thailand upon their arrival at the airport. Since he doesn't enter Thailand, your advice is complete and utter R
22 days ago
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Thaimer ******
Gregor Huettner Yes, i know what’s TDAC. I clearly wrote if he’s not sure if he’ll stay in transit or need to pass immigration just make TDAC with random hotel address. Even if you don’t use it no one cares
22 days ago
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Thaimer ******
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Paul ******************
@Thaimer *****
 you enter the Kingdom of Thailand via the immigration control. He's not entering The Kingdom of Thailand so he doesn't need to fill out a form with lies.
22 days ago
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Thaimer ******
Paul Singlehurst-Ward he just need to figure it out if he’ll pass immigration or not.
22 days ago
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Paul ******************
@Thaimer *****
 he already said he won't pass through immigration
22 days ago
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Thaimer ******
Paul Singlehurst-Ward he don’t know that
22 days ago
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Thaimer ******
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Gregor **********
if your flight to Laos is leaving from the BKK International Terminal, and your baggage gets checked through, you do not even need a transit visa for a delay of 5.5 hours, only if your stay was longer than 24 hours. . And since you do not enter Thailand, you won't need a TDAC prior to your arrival at the BKK. You will stay inside the international transit area
22 days ago
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Alan **********
TDAC is for arrival information for those staying IN Thailand. That is not you.

You have a separate area for transfers that does not go through Immigration. So, no TDAC.

I'm sure if I'm mistaken, somebody will come by and correct.
22 days ago
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Gregor **********
Alan Rothwell correct
22 days ago
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Alan **********
Gregor Huettner Well, that's quite different than "WRONG". 🤣👍
22 days ago
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Alan **********
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Ally ************
Alan Rothwell Correct.. you have to put an address for your stay into TDAC.. ie. an abode.. and if you are only transitting then you have no 'abode'.. the crux is whether you have to check in again for the second leg of the journey.. if you don't and already have boarding cards for both legs of the flight before you board the first flight.. then you are definitely a transit passenger and do not actually enter the country 😉
22 days ago
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Graham ******
Ally S Inglish or put the arrival and departure dates as the same then no accommodation is required
22 days ago
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Graham ******
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Wayne ********
Alan Rothwell it’s no big deal if the airline requires it fill it out why make an issue of it?
22 days ago
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Wayne ********
They sent you a QR code in an email
21 days ago
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Gregor **********
@Wayne *******
 not even if the airline asks him if he has a previously filled out TDAC: he can prove he won't ENTER Thailand upon arrival at the BKK airport. So, he does not need a TDAC. I would SUE any airline who would refuse boarding the flight based on these irrelvant rules
22 days ago
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Alan **********
@Wayne *******
 The airline doesn't require it. Thailand does.
22 days ago
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Wayne ********
Alan Rothwell I understand that, but he said in the post that the Airlines were very adamant about him having the TD AC
22 days ago
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Ralph *******
@Wayne *******
 I don’t know how they can check it. I can’t see the TDAC myself
22 days ago
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Alan **********
@Wayne *******
 He said "But on my previous trips to Thailand the Airlines have been very thorough checking the TDAC"

"previous trips TO Thailand"; different than "through"
22 days ago
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Graham ******
Alan Rothwell some airlines do
22 days ago
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Alan **********
Graham Seal The obvious question would be "Why ?". The passenger isn't visiting Thailand.

While I've connected in a number of different countries, I don't recall ever going through their Immigration. Re-screening, yes, but not through Immigration.

But, tbh, I can't say I've never had to fill out a form for the country I was connecting in. But why would I need to ? Their records would show I got there on the plane and left on another one. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
22 days ago
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Alan **********
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Thaimer ******
Why complicate things when TDAC is free and it takes 5 minutes to fill it? Even if you don’t pass trough immigration
22 days ago
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Dave ********
@Thaimer *****
 because he has no address in Thailand and only needed if going through passport control.
22 days ago
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Thaimer ******
Dave Cottom where exactly is problem to go on google maps and copy paste address of random hotel in Bangkok?

He still don’t know if he will pass immigration or not. He is just assuming he won’t
21 days ago
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Alan **********
@Thaimer *****
 Why would you give Thailand, of all places, knowingly false information ?
21 days ago
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Thaimer ******
Alan Rothwell because no one cares which hotel you type in TDAC.

You can be a doctor or Astronaut with 5M salary there and stay at St. Regis if you want. No one bothers about it.
21 days ago
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Thaimer ******
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