THIM is the new Thai Immigration app travelers are starting to see next to TDAC
THIM, short for Thailand Immigration Management System and also presented as the Thai Immigration Mobile Application, is being introduced as a digital immigration platform for foreigners entering and staying in Thailand. The important point for travelers is that THIM and TDAC are connected, but THIM does not currently appear to replace the need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
If your immediate goal is to prepare for entry, the practical instruction remains simple: complete your TDAC before traveling. THIM may become the wider immigration app around TDAC, profiles, Digital ID, notifications, and future services, but your TDAC arrival submission still matters right now.
THIM, short for Thailand Immigration Management System and also presented as the Thai Immigration Mobile Application, is being introduced as a digital immigration platform for foreigners entering and staying in Thailand. The important point for travelers is that THIM and TDAC are connected, but THIM does not currently appear to replace the need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
If your immediate goal is to prepare for entry, the practical instruction remains simple: complete your TDAC before traveling. THIM may become the wider immigration app around TDAC, profiles, Digital ID, notifications, and future services, but your TDAC arrival submission still matters right now.
What is THIM?
THIM is described by Thai Immigration sources as an application and platform of the Immigration Bureau. It is not only a replacement label for TDAC. It is being presented as a broader mobile-first channel where foreigners can access immigration-related services before arrival and, eventually, during their stay in Thailand.
This is why travelers may see THIM and TDAC mentioned together. TDAC is the arrival card function. THIM is the app and platform that can contain TDAC, a traveler account, profile data, Digital ID, KYC verification, notifications, and connections to other government services.
THIM and TDAC: related, but not the same thing
What sits inside THIM?
TDAC arrival card inside a wider immigration app
Division 5 of Thai Immigration describes THIM as including TDAC (Arrival Card), which means THIM and TDAC should be understood together. THIM is the broader app environment, while TDAC remains the digital arrival card requirement travelers already know.
Account, profile, and repeat traveler data
The major convenience claim around THIM is that travelers can create a profile and reuse basic details on future trips. Instead of typing the same passport and traveler information every time, the app is designed to reduce repeated entry for returning visitors.
Digital ID and KYC-style verification
THIM is described as including Digital ID and KYC functions. In traveler terms, this means the app is expected to verify identity digitally, using passport document checks and secure profile information rather than relying only on manual form entry.
Notifications and service connections
THIM is also described as including notifications and connections to other services, including Tourist Police. This points toward a larger immigration service platform rather than a one-page arrival form.
What the THIM app screens show
AWS, Digital ID, and why the infrastructure matters
Reports around THIM place a lot of emphasis on cloud infrastructure because immigration systems handle sensitive personal information. THIM has been described as running on AWS infrastructure in Thailand, with the Bangkok Region used to keep processing close to Thai immigration operations and to support local data requirements.
For travelers, the practical meaning is simpler: THIM is intended to make the arrival-card and immigration-service process faster while still preserving the security checks that Thai Immigration requires. The stated goal is faster digital preparation before landing, not removal of immigration screening.
Need to complete TDAC now?
THIM is important to understand, but it should not distract from the immediate arrival requirement. If you are traveling to Thailand, complete your TDAC before arrival and keep your confirmation available for inspection.
Recent discussions
Ask Thailand CommunityThese topics are pulled server-side from the ASK community so travelers can quickly see the latest THIM- and TDAC-related discussion around the rollout.
Facebook visa groups
If you want faster traveler feedback while THIM and TDAC continue to evolve, these large Thailand visa communities are still useful places to compare real-world reports and questions.
Sources reviewed, including official sources
- Immigration 5 Official Source
- Google Play
- Apple App Store
- The Straits Times
- Thansettakij
- KYC Now
Comments (103)
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Someone said that there was a new update to the THIM app that removed the requirements for NFC. So i guess if you have a phone without NFC support and the install failed before you can try it again?
Yeah, exactly! I had an older phone that wouldn’t work before, but after the update, I managed to install it without any NFC issues. Definitely worth giving it another shot.
When will app appear on HMS Huawei App Store? Phone not have GMS Google store.
Last time I checked, THIM wasn’t on the Huawei store yet. If you can, try downloading the APK from their official site, it worked for me on a Huawei without Google services. Fingers crossed they add it soon!
Why do you need to do that? You don't have to wait for the app to exist. Just go to the TDAC site and apply using that.
True, the TDAC site works fine, but I found the THIM app a bit smoother to use once it’s installed. Still, if you’re in a rush, the website does the job no problem!
What sort of health declaration is required? Where to find the health declaration and how to submit it?
For me, the health declaration was included in the TDAC form itself, so you just fill everything in one go online before arrival. The new THIM app also lets you submit health info, but I found TDAC quicker. Just make sure to have your details ready!
On the apps itself - THIM, there's NO health declaration boxes to check unlike TDAC..........so how to submit??
Yeah, I noticed that too. From what I’ve seen, THIM focuses more on immigration info, and the health declaration is handled separately through TDAC before you arrive. Kind of annoying to manage two, but that’s how it seems to be for now.
This is misleading, no you do not need to use both.
If you are arriving within 72 hours, you can complete your health declaration right away. If your arrival is more than 72 hours away, the THIM app will essentially tell you to return once you are inside the 72-hour window. At that point, you can complete the process in the app and it will issue your TDAC.
The main difference is that the official TDAC website prevents you from submitting until you are within 72 hours of arrival. The app, however, allows you to start the submission attempt earlier, then directs you to come back when eligible.
So in practice, it works similarly to how our agents' platform works.
Yep, that matches my experience too. I tried THIM about a week before my flight and got the same “come back later” message. Much clearer once I hit that 72-hour mark!
Hopefully it will include Certificate of Residence for Retirement Visas in the future.
That would be a game changer for retirees, for sure. Makes those long queues at immigration a bit less painful! Fingers crossed they add it soon.
That's one of the services that many of our customers request regularly. It really would help if that were an easier task to complete.
Totally agree, it’s surprising how many still struggle with that part. If THIM could streamline it, a lot of people would save hours at immigration. Fingers crossed they listen to the feedback soon!
It says, "Certificate of Stay." I'm not really sure what that means. Maybe they mean a certificate of residence, If so, it means that it might be coming soon for the THIM app.
Yeah, I was confused at first too. From what I gathered, "Certificate of Stay" is basically another term for proof you’re legally staying long-term, so it probably lines up with the certificate of residence. Hopefully they clear it up soon!
I don't think it's the same thing.
Good point, they could be different documents. Maybe "Certificate of Stay" is more about short-term visits and not the official residency stuff retirees need. Hope they clarify soon, though!
Why are some people saying that this app has officially launched, while others are saying that it's not officially launched until October? I use this to actually generate a TDAC.. Does that mean that the generated TDAC is not inside the official system?
From what I’ve seen, the app is kind of in a soft launch phase, people can use it to generate TDACs, but full official integration and features might not be live until October. The TDAC you get now should still be valid though, just maybe not fully synced with every system yet. Been using it myself with no problems so far.
It appears they have launched it early. Something similar happened with the TDEC. The TDAC was launched one month before it was used publicly as well.
From what we can see, the app is inside the Google Play Store and the App Store.
Yeah, that’s exactly how I see it too. It’s available for us to use now, but the full rollout with all the backend stuff might take a bit longer. I’ve already submitted my TDAC through the app without any issues though.
How do I put my TDAC inside the THIM app? Or do I not need to do that? Is it already submitted? Because I already have a QR code for my TDAC thailand arrival card thing.
From what I’ve seen, if you already have the QR code from TDAC, it means your arrival card is submitted. The THIM app mainly lets you upload it for easier access, but it’s not always required to do that. I just kept mine in the app for convenience when going through immigration.
It looks like you can apply for it more than 72 hours in advance. But it won't issue you your QR code. It will show a screen asking for your health declaration or telling you that you need to come back when you are within the 72 hours required to submit your health declaration. But I think after you do that, it will issue you the TDAC. I'm not 100% sure. But I saw people talking about it in Thailand Visa Advice group.
Yeah, that matches what I experienced too. Tried starting early just to get ahead, but had to wait until within the 72-hour window for the health declaration before getting the QR code. Feels a bit clunky but seems like the system’s just making sure all the info is fresh.
Wow, I can't believe this thing actually works. I remember when the TDAC launched; it wasn't even working.
That's a first.
Right? I was skeptical at first too, but submitting my info through TDAC took less than 5 minutes and the confirmation came almost instantly. Makes arrivals way smoother now.
Trying to install THIM and I keep seeing "Your device isn't compatible with this version." I do not understand. I have the latest phone, bought this year. Play Store will not even let me install it.
I think it is NFC related. Looks like they require NFC on some Android builds, which makes no sense because I submitted mine without using NFC at all. Just filled the form and got the QR.
weird worked for me
At first, I also couldn't install it due to a compatibility error, but then I updated the Play Store and it helped. Maybe you should try clearing the store's cache?
Sent this page to my dad. He still prints directions. He managed the form without calling me, which is basically a five star review.
That's pretty impressive. My dad can barely use his phone and the font size on his phone is so large that it only displays about three words per line.
Haha, that sounds like my uncle! Sometimes I think the tech apps should have a “big font mode” just for us non-techy folks. Hopefully TDAC keeps making things easier for everyone.
Two week trip next month. Finished inbound TDAC already. Question: domestic Chiang Mai flight after arrival does not care about this, correct?
No, the TDAC is not required for domestic travel, only international when you're coming into the country.
Yeah, exactly. I flew Chiang Mai to Bangkok last time without any TDAC check, they only cared when I landed in Thailand initially. Makes domestic flights way easier.
Positive report from BKK: new officer, friendly, scanned QR first try, asked length of stay, done. It felt like they had actual training this time.
I downloaded THIM and still completed TDAC. That seems to be the safe interpretation. The app does not magically replace the arrival card yet.
That is how I read it too. Downloading THIM does not mean you can skip TDAC. Keep the QR ready and you are fine.
My reminder is just TDAC??? in all caps. Not elegant, but it got my attention.
Applied 3 days before departure. Email came almost immediately. I saved PDF, screenshot, and printout because airport Wi-Fi and I are enemies.
Calendar reminders: seven days before and three days before. Boring system, works every time.
is everyone basically using THIM as profile stuff and still doing TDAC separately? that is what i am doing until the rules get less weird.
Same here. THIM for profile, TDAC fresh each trip. Not trusting app vibes over written requirements.
ok that makes sense. i will install THIM if i can find it, but TDAC is the thing i am treating as mandatory.
Same plan. TDAC before packing, THIM tinkering after landing when there is Wi-Fi and snacks.
Suvarnabhumi Friday night was not bad. QR scan took maybe ten seconds. I did see a family get sent aside for no TDAC, so no, I would not wing it.
Friday night BKK can still be a zoo, but the QR lane moved. Family in front of us had no TDAC and got pulled out of line.
BKK arrival was somehow the least stressful part of a 26 hour travel day. Finding the QR email took longer than the scan.
My very boring travel hack: keep a Notes template with flight, hotel, passport number, phone. Copy paste. Future you will be grateful.
Notes template plus last approved PDF as reference. Nerdy but effective.
Honestly appreciate the disclaimers here. It does not pretend to be the government site, which makes me trust it more than half the pages ranking on Google.
Exactly. Reads more like a practical wiki than a press release. That is all I wanted.
Yeah, this is clearly not an official page, but unfortunately, there is no official page that explains everything. So it's been kind of stressful looking at all these different sources. It's nice to have a consolidated place where people can talk about this.
Totally agree, it’s way easier to get a clear picture when folks share their real experiences instead of just official jargon. Made my last arrival a lot less stressful!
We had six people going for a wedding. Everyone got approved within about fifteen minutes. One friend typed letter O instead of zero in the passport number, so watch that.
Six approvals that fast is believable. Our slowest person was also the passport typo person. There is always one.
We timed ours because we are annoying: fastest 47 seconds, slowest 8 minutes after the passport number redo.
47 seconds is wild compared with visa paperwork elsewhere. Thailand digital systems are great when they actually work.
Did mine at the gate. Took 6 minutes. Maybe 7 because I dropped my passport under the seat like an idiot.
Gate submission works, but check flight number after any airline equipment change. We had one update after check in.
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