Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Many nationalities enter visa-free for tourism (currently around 30 days for most, after a 2026 policy change). Rules are changing; confirm your nationality's current period before travel.
- Visa-free
- Around 30 days for most (policy in transition)
- Passport
- Valid at least 6 months
- Proof of funds
- About 20,000 THB per person may be requested
- Verify the current period for your nationality on official sources
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from entry. Carry it as ID during your trip.
- Validity
- At least 6 months from entry
- Blank pages
- At least one for the entry stamp
- Carry it
- Keep your passport as ID
- Confirm your airline's validity rules before flying
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
All non-Thai visitors must submit the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival (it replaced the paper TM6). Also carry a return ticket and accommodation details.
- TDAC
- Free online; mandatory before arrival (replaced TM6)
- Passport
- Valid 6 months
- Proof
- Return/onward ticket + accommodation
- TDAC is required by air, land and sea; it is not a visa
Pre-arrival procedure — Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): free and mandatory for all non-Thai nationals. Submit online within 3 days before arrival (arrival day counted). Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official TDAC site (tdac.immigration.go.th)- Family name
- SMITH
- First / given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. UNITED STATES)
- Passport No.
- A1234567
- Date of birth
- 1990-05-20
- Mode of travel
- AIR
- Flight No.
- TG641
- Date of arrival
- 2026-04-10
- Purpose of visit
- HOLIDAY
- Accommodation in Thailand
- Hotel name & address (e.g. a hotel in Bangkok)
How to submit
- 1 Open the official site tdac.immigration.go.th and tap "Arrival Card".
- 2 Enter Passport & Personal Information (you can scan the passport MRZ to auto-fill).
- 3 Enter Travel Information and your accommodation in Thailand.
- 4 Fill the Health Declaration if prompted (based on countries visited in the last 2 weeks).
- 5 Preview and check everything; use "Edit" to fix mistakes.
- 6 Enter your email to receive the card, agree to the terms and tap "Submit".
- 7 Download/save the TDAC (QR) and show it at immigration on arrival.
Visa need, fees and conditions can change; confirm the current requirements on the official site before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Declare foreign currency of USD 20,000 or more (or equivalent) on arrival. There are limits on taking Thai baht in/out; declare above the threshold.
- Foreign currency
- USD 20,000 or more must be declared
- Thai baht
- Limits apply; declare above the threshold
- Why
- Non-declaration risks fines/seizure
- Keep declaration slips if you declare cash
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Duty-free allowance is 1 litre of alcohol and 200 cigarettes per adult. Exceeding the cigarette limit brings heavy fines, so do not over-carry.
- Alcohol
- 1 litre per adult
- Cigarettes
- 200 per adult; strict penalties for excess
- Declare
- Anything over the limit via Red Channel
- Customs enforce cigarette limits strictly at airports
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Drugs, weapons, counterfeits and e-cigarettes/vapes are banned. Buddha images/antiques may need an export permit; do not disrespect them.
- Banned
- Narcotics, weapons, counterfeits, vapes
- Antiques
- Buddha images/antiques may need export permit
- Penalties
- Undeclared/illegal items seized; heavy fines
- Do not bring e-cigarettes; they are illegal in Thailand
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring personal medicines in original packaging with a prescription. Some common medicines abroad are controlled in Thailand; carry a doctor's note.
- Packaging
- Original, with prescription or doctor's note
- Quantity
- Reasonable personal-use amounts (about 30 days)
- Controlled
- Some drugs need documentation/prior approval
- Check Thai FDA rules for controlled substances before travel
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
No vaccinations are required for entry (unless arriving from a yellow-fever area). Consider hepatitis A/typhoid; keep routine vaccines up to date.
- Required
- None (yellow fever only if from risk area)
- Recommended
- Hepatitis A/typhoid; routine vaccines
- Rural/long stay
- Consider Japanese encephalitis, rabies
- Consult a travel clinic for personal advice
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Follow signs to immigration, present your passport (TDAC submitted online), collect baggage, then clear customs via Red/Green channel.
- Steps
- Immigration → baggage → customs
- Documents
- Passport; TDAC done online beforehand
- Channels
- Green (nothing to declare) / Red (declare)
- Fingerprints/photo may be taken; e-Gates for eligible nationalities
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Save the Tourist Police number 1155. Pick up a SIM/eSIM and use Grab for rides. Dress modestly for temples and carry small cash for street food.
- Tourist Police
- 1155 (24h, English)
- Rides
- Grab app; metered taxis
- Connectivity
- SIM/eSIM at the airport
- Airport Rail Link connects Suvarnabhumi to central Bangkok