Thailand is digitizing entry into the country with a new smartphone app called THIM. Knowing what it really does today, and what it will do later, saves you confusion and pointless queues at the airport.
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Quick Overview
The THIM app is the new official app of the Thai immigration authority, built so you can send your arrival details from your phone before you land. It does not replace the TDAC, the mandatory digital arrival card: it becomes another way to file it and, in time, a platform for other immigration services.
THIM stands for Thailand Immigration Management System, developed by the Royal Thai Immigration Bureau together with Amazon Web Services. The stated goal is to cut waiting times at border control in a country that welcomes around 30 million visitors a year.
Information updated June 2026. Our team lives and works in Thailand and follows the rollout closely: this is a brand-new system, so it is worth checking the state of the app shortly before you fly.
Comparison table: THIM and the TDAC side by side
THIM and the TDAC are often mentioned in the same breath, but they are not the same thing. The TDAC is the mandatory document; THIM is one of the tools you can use to file it.
| Aspect | TDAC (arrival card) | THIM (app) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mandatory digital arrival form | Immigration app and platform |
| Mandatory? | Yes, for every non-Thai traveler | No, optional (pilot phase) |
| What it is for | Declaring your entry and health details | Filing the TDAC and managing your traveler profile |
| Since | Live since May 2025 (it replaced the paper TM6 form) | In testing since 2026, official launch expected by the end of 2026 |
| Official channel | The tdac.immigration.go.th portal | App Store and Google Play |
Note: rollout status and dates checked in June 2026 against Immigration Bureau announcements and the official store listings. Timelines can slip.
What the THIM app is and what it does
THIM is the “super app” Thailand is building to bring every immigration formality for foreign travelers under one roof. The point is to remove paper and repetition: you set up your profile once, then each new trip only asks for a few updated details.
The main features
It lets you fill in and submit the TDAC straight from the app, with no paper forms.
Your passport details are verified and stored the first time you sign in, so later trips only ask for your flight number and your dates.
You can add family members and travel companions to a single registration: handy for families and groups.
It keeps your upcoming trips together and sends automatic alerts about deadlines and updates.
Where to download the THIM app, and the official links
The THIM app is a free download from the official stores, published by the Royal Thai Police on behalf of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau. If you want to double-check anything, the institutional reference is the official immigration website.
The Immigration Bureau's official app on the Google Play Store.
The Immigration Bureau's official app on the App Store.
The Royal Thai Immigration Bureau portal, for information and contacts.
THIM or the TDAC: which one do you actually need?
If you are flying now, one requirement stands: filing the TDAC before you arrive. That applies whatever passport you hold. Whether you also need a visa is a separate matter that depends on your nationality, so check the current entry rules for your own country before you book. THIM is an alternative channel and, for the moment, optional.
The practical rule is simple: the TDAC is submitted either from the official portal or through the THIM app, never from both. The card has to be sent within the 3 days before you arrive, because it also carries the health declaration.
If you fly often or travel as a family, the saved profile can win you time. For a first trip or a one-off visit, the TDAC web portal is still the most direct and reliable route.
Practical tips for the THIM app
- File the TDAC either way. It is still the only compulsory document: app or portal, without the TDAC you do not clear the arrival check.
- File it once, not twice. Send the TDAC from the app or from the website, not from both, so you avoid a duplicate registration.
- Download from official sources only. Take the app from the App Store and Google Play and nowhere else; the TDAC portal is tdac.immigration.go.th and nothing else. Plenty of paid copycat sites are out there.
- Check it is stable before you rely on it. Freezes and slowdowns are common while the app is in its pilot phase: keep the web portal as a plan B.
- Respect the 3-day window. The TDAC, from the app or the site, is sent within 72 hours of arrival: file it earlier and it is not accepted.
Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming THIM replaces the TDAC
The app does not lift the arrival card requirement: the TDAC is still needed, and the app is only one of the ways to send it.
Using unofficial sites or apps
Plenty of paid portals imitate the official system. Sticking to the two stores and the immigration.go.th domain protects your data and your wallet.
Sending your details too early
The arrival card is filled in during the 3 days before you land: an early submission is not valid.
Filing the same card twice
Sending the TDAC from the app and from the website creates duplicates: pick one channel and stay with it.
Relying on the app with no plan B
The app can freeze while it is being tested. Keep the web portal ready as a fallback, above all in the hours before your flight.
Back to the main guide
Now that the app makes sense, the next step is planning your arrival in the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the THIM app mandatory to enter Thailand?
No, the THIM app is not mandatory. The only requirement is the TDAC, the digital arrival card, which you can fill in either on the official portal or through the app. THIM is an extra channel, optional for now and still being tested.
What is the difference between THIM and the TDAC?
The TDAC is the compulsory arrival document; THIM is the app that, among other things, lets you file it. In practice the TDAC is the "what" you have to do, and THIM is one of the "hows".
Did the THIM app replace the old paper TM6 form?
No. The paper TM6 form was replaced by the TDAC back in May 2025. THIM arrived later, as an app to handle that same arrival card digitally and, further ahead, other immigration services.
Where can you download the THIM app safely?
The THIM app is a free download from the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) only; look for the official Thai Immigration Bureau listing. For the TDAC, the single reference is the tdac.immigration.go.th portal: stay away from the paid copycat sites.
Is the THIM app or the TDAC web portal the better choice?
It depends on the kind of traveler you are. If you fly often or travel as a family, the app stores your profile and speeds up later trips. For a first trip or a one-off visit, the web portal is more direct. While the app is in its pilot phase, keep the portal as a fallback either way.
What languages is the THIM app available in?
At launch the app supports English, Russian, Japanese and Chinese, and more languages are being added over time. If yours is not there yet, the TDAC web portal is in English and takes only a few minutes to complete.
In Short
THIM is the new app of the Thai immigration authority, built to digitize entry into the country and make it quicker. Today it mostly serves to file the TDAC, the digital arrival card that remains the one real obligation for foreign travelers. The app does not replace the TDAC and, in its pilot phase, it is not fully dependable yet: our advice is to treat the official portal as your reference and to check how the app is doing close to your departure date.