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What should I do if I am landing in Thailand on May 1st, the day the new ETA is supposed to take effect?

Thailand Visa Rules ETA TM6 Arrival Card Immigration Updates Expat Advice

Mar 13, 2025

a month ago

Frank *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

The new ETA is supposed to come into effect on the 1st of may I fly to Thailand in the 30th April and land in Bangkok at 09.30 on the 1st of may how will I get round this situation?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) previously set to take effect on May 1 has been postponed. On this date, a digital version of the TM6 arrival/departure card is expected to be introduced, but specific details on its implementation are still unclear. Several community members suggest that travelers landing on May 1 may be able to fill out the necessary forms at immigration, possibly on their phones. It is advised to stay updated on official announcements regarding these changes, as they can shift unexpectedly.

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Wayne ********

May 1 is the date for the new digital TM6 no mention of the ETA

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Joe **********

What is ETA Please

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Michael *******

electronic travel authorisation, adopted my many countries to avoid need for immig checks, fingerprint, photo and through you go…….

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Michael *******

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Mark ********

Search function...

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Darren *********

ETA has been pushed back. The digital TM7 arrival form is different. The TM6 was what was supposed to come back on May 1st, but no official details are out about it yet.

Worse case you will fill it out on your phone while waiting in line at immigration. But if you are this worried about filling out a form you might want yo rethink Thailand. They love to make statements that go nowhere and change the rules constantly.

Just relax and roll with the changes or you will stress yourself out of any enjoyment.

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Lennart **********

@Darren ********

do you mean TM 6?

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Colin *********

@Lennart *********

it's suspended till

***

may then immigration control centre said just leave the that part of the form blank ,as I will get an yearly extension on my electronic -o-visa ,with lots of luck. B

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Darren *********

yes exactly. Thank you some, days to many Leo’s and the forms start blending together.

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Darren *********

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Keith *******

I heard from an airline employee when asked that ETA question. I was told it had been cancelled. Of course never assume anything in Thailand.

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Luc ************

The app is not ready yet. Most probably will be postponed.

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Frank *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for all your replies

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Stuart *********

The ETA has been postponed. What’s planned for May 1st is an electronic version of the TM6 arrival/departure card.

No details on how to do so have been given yet.

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Baz *********

I am confident there will be a trial period for any new online application where they won't be enforcing the rules immediately..

Will it be a week or 2 or a month?

Who knows I guess and that may depend on how smooth the first few days goes when it's rolled out..

Don't be surprised if it's even deferred at the last minute which is also possible

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Elías ********

What's coming into force is not exactly an ETA, that's been postponed. It's just a free online form.

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Jon *****

@Elías *******

Probably similar to what already exists in Malaysia

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Nigel **************

@Elías *******

yep the old TM6 in an online style

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Nigel **************

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Peter *********

Will be delayed as usual 🙃

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Steve *******

Where did you find this information? There is no confirmed date for ETA implementation.

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Mathias ******

It's planned - not confirmed at the moment ! There is no other infomation available now !

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Steve *******

it has been planned for 6 months and not been announced to be implemented. It might never be. Don't plan around speculation, especially when it comes to thai immigration.

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Steve *******

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Stephen ********

IF it comes into force on the 1st May, then the system would up and running a few days prior. But that's still an IF atm

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Jeff *******

You can usually apply for ETAs 3 days in advance. Sometimes more.

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Wayne *********

can not apply in advance before it's official

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Jeff *******

@Wayne ********

Right. And 3 days would be 27 April, if 1 May becomes official.

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Graham ******

The ETA is not planned to go live 1-May, it has been postponed further. The proposal now is the online TM6 going live 1-May, two different things.

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Jeff *******

None of this matters to me. My only point was if they "require" an ETA on 1 May, the system will be up 72 hours before, OR they won't require an ETA until 4 May. Hopefully it works as well as Singapore and Malaysia and better than the Philippines. I exit and enter Thailand 5-8 times a year. I'm looking forward to it shortening the occasional long lines at Thai Immigration.

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Graham ******

It might matter to the OP as the ETA will be for those entering on a Visa Exempt stamp whereas the online TM6 will apply to everyone without a Thai passport regardless of visa status

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Jeff *******

Maybe, but that has nothing to do with his question.

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Graham ******

it has everything to do with the original question as the ETA will definitely not commence in May but the TM6 might

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Jeff *******

And yet the question remains, for arrivals on May 1 can you apply ahead of time?

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Wayne *********

yep so can not apply until the 1st of May

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Jeff *******

@Wayne ********

None of this matters to me. My only point was if they "require" an ETA on 1 May, the system will be up 72 hours before, OR they won't require an ETA until 4 May. Hopefully it works as well as Singapore and Malaysia and better than the Philippines. I exit and enter Thailand 5-8 times a year. I'm looking forward to it shortening the occasional long lines at Thai Immigration.

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Jeff *******

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Jim ********

If you are landing on 1st May then I’m sure you’ll need to do it. However things can change so id wait for official updates nearer the time

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Jim ********

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