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Why is the DTAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) causing confusion among travelers?

May 2, 2025
a day ago
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It really might have saved a lot of confusion if the DTAC was simply called TM6 online or TM6 live.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion highlights the confusion regarding the naming of Thailand's Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), previously referred to as the DTAC. Users comment on how the terminology may not be intuitive for newcomers to Thailand, with some emphasizing the importance of clear definitions, especially for English speakers. Experiences shared include the impact of the new card on immigration processing times and concerns about passport damage from administrative practices.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
At least it is one less reason for IOs to turn your passport into Swiss cheese with staples!
Christopher ***********
@Brett ********
Correct! My office love to unstaple and restaple historical TM.30’s to make copies. That and the 90 day report ‘Receipt of Notification’ slips. I dread the possibility of being told that the mutilations have invalidated my passport.
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher **********
Bali is very strict about passport damage
Mark *******
I flew in to Bangkok today and the new tdac didn't make a difference in the time through immigration at all . If anything it makes it longer as they chech through your information
Dennis **********
@Mark ******
yeh i said that ages ago when people where saying its going to make entry quicker , I mentioned the fact that all the things you have to answer are not asked at immigration so how is it going to be quicker and your still going to have the crazy long lines
Bent *************
Absolutely not!
Benjamin *********
From what I've seen in the posts, the biggest "confusion" seems to be related to the shocking amount of native English speakers misunderstanding the definition of the word "within".
Nick **********
@Benjamin ********
because until not long ago even on the official site they used the wrong wording ? Because even a few days ago the Bangkok Post used the wrong wording ?

The problem is not tourists not understanding English, but the officials and the Bangkok Post spreading the wrong information because of their poor command of English or whatever.

The Bangkok Post quoted the chief of immigration division :

"..must fill in (..) at least 3 days ahead of their expected arrival in Thailand"
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick *********
true also.
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin ********
maybe they should use a simple diagram 555
David ***********
TDAC and point taken. 😎
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David **********
see? I can't even get the name right 555
Stuart *********
I can’t see how TM6 is more meaningful to anyone thats not been to Thailand before than TDAC - Thailand Digital Arrival Card.

Ps DTAC was a phone company. Recently merged with True Move.
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
means something to me
*****
. I was confused at first. Coming here 7 years with TM6 it took me a bit of research. But I accept your view.
Brett *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
some eSIM services still show roaming services towers as Dtac. Sorry for the confusion. True bought the company but maybe still 2 different services in regions.
Stuart *********
@Brett ********
Yes it will take time for them to re-brand.
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