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What was your experience like upon arrival in Thailand with a DTV?

DTV Thailand Visa Immigration Process Entering Thailand Visa Waiver Secondary Screening Passport Control

Aug 2, 2025

22 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

First entry on my DTV via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. Gave my passport, boarding pass and my cute little passport-size laminated DTV. The latter seemed to raise concern of the officer, she pressed the yellow button and I was pulled aside. Two other officers came, one checked the visa on her mobile terminal, another one invited me to a closed desk. Scanned my passport a few times, scanned my fingerprints twice (obviously something wasn’t working properly with the computer) then asked for TDAC. Checked the printed form, retyped my accommodation address, and stamped me in for 180 days. 

Generally nice, easy and calm process. 

Thanks again for this group for helping me out on each and every stage of the process of obtaining the visa!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user described their entry experience at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport with a Digital Tourist Visa (DTV). After presenting their documents, including a laminated DTV, they encountered a minor issue that led to a secondary screening where officers checked their visa electronically. Despite the initial concern, the process was generally smooth, resulting in a 180-day stamp. Comments from others included discussions on passport types, reasons for document checks, and personal experiences with fast entry using mobile visa confirmations.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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Kris *****

I use my phone every time now. They dont even look when I show them. Its almost like their computer is telling them everything they need to know.

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Debra *********

Enjoy!

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Dawn **********

Thanks for sharing. I’ll be there next week for the first time.

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Anonymous ******************

They probably thought it was not a real one because of the laminated print. I don't think many people do it like this since you can just reprint it before coming back for a few cents

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Anonymous ******************

Or simply show it on your phone?

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Anonymous ******************

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Joel *******

Walked through yesterday in 1 minute no issues.

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Debra *********

Super!!

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Debra *********

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Ian **********

What is your nationality, history of visits to Thailand, soft power or staycation? These can all influence the decision to select you for secondary screening.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

workation, EU passport, visited 3 times on the visa waiver, each time not more than a month hence far form overstaying

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Ian **********

Anonymous participant 3 x on visa-exempt over what time period?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

1,5 year… TBH it rather seemed like a technical glitch with their system than a typical secondary screening. It looked kinda like the first officer I encountered could not access the system to check if my visa is there, if that makes any sense… They didn’t ask any extra questions, just kept typing into their computers / terminals and scanning my passport over and over

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Anonymous *************

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Anonymous ******************

I use a cute little screen in my phone to show my visa! 😂😂

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Ian **********

Anonymous participant 643 Thai officials have a reputation for always preferring a printed version of official documents

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Anonymous ******************

The whole point of going to an eVisa process was to eliminate much of the paperwork. I recall applying for an OA visa many years ago, and my application almost had to go by parcel post! These days everything is uploaded PDF documents, and in reply you get a PDF visa. It's designed for electronic use. I know so many people here who have entered on non-O, DTV and METV and not one was required to be carrying paper documents, as everything can be shown on your phone.

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Debra *********

Anonymous participant 166

Thx

Any advice for the non-O visa? I’m moving there in February. I have the required income, age

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Ian **********

Anonymous participant 166: Everything you say is correct, but that does not distract from my observation. As I stated before; 'Thai officials have a reputation of preferring official documents in printed form'

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Ian **********

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Peter ***********

The Thai officials if they're that an@l could also find fault with a reduced size PDF document. Let's not forget it's an eVisa, emphasis on the "e".

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Peter ***********

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James ********

Anonymous participant 643 and what happens when that little screen does not work ?

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Anonymous ******************

Silly comment. You could say the same about the TDAC. What happens if it hasn't been communicated correctly to the immigration database? You show it on your phone. Are you suggesting that people should also carry "cute little" TDACs? Come on, let's get into the 21st century

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant 166 This guy is obsessed with printing visas

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James ********

It's what you are supposed to do... PRINT OUT THE EVISA in which you received your DTV Visa.

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Anonymous ******************

Stop taking cr@p. It's an eVisa, you don't have to print anything. I've been in and out five times without printing anything

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James ********

Anonymous participant 643 BUT the instructions issued by the Thai Foreign Ministry, Embassy's and Consulates is for you to PRINT OUT THE EVISA and show it to airline and Thai Immigration Officers when asked.

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Anonymous ******************

When asked you show it on your phone. It's accepted

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James ********

Anonymous participant 643 again I ASKED...

Anonymous participant 643 and what happens when that little screen does not work ?

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James ********

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James ********

Anonymous participant 999

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James ********

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Peter ***********

Never fails! I do it every time

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Peter ***********

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Greg ********

Wonder why asked for TDAC as it woukd be on their screen?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

to me it seemed like something wasn’t working right with their system.

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant It sounds like it.

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Greg ********

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Anonymous ******************

You are required to print it out, can be why?

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant 979 I have come in twice recently and never been asked for it - I pointed to my phone and asked if they wanted to see TDAC. Each time the IO just pointed at the screen. It pops up after the passport is scanned. Never printed it out but had it open on my phone. The people around me did not have it printed out either.

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Greg ********

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Plamen ****************

what passport do you carry?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Plamen ***************

One of the EU countries

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Anonymous *************

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