The Immigration Bureau has extended the suspension of the TM6 arrival form for Thailand until April 2025 to establish a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system.
Thailand’s Immigration Chief, Pol. Lt.Gen. Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, announced that foreigners are being suspended from entering through 16 land and marine checkpoints.
He stated that the new ETA system will eliminate the requirement for the TM6 form and will likely include a 300 baht tourism tax, which has yet to be implemented.
According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Ittipol, the TM6 form suspension, aims to improve immigration services, reduce congestion at checkpoints, and enhance tourism, all of which contribute to economic growth.
The exemption applies to some key checkpoints: Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo, Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai, and Padang Besar in Songkhla.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is developing the ETA system, allowing foreign tourists from 93 countries with visa-free access to register online before arriving in Thailand. After registering, users can utilize a QR code to pass through automated immigration gates.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also considering integrating the collection of the 300 baht and 150 baht tourism fees into the ETA system. Although the cabinet agreed to the tourism charge scheme in 2022, it has not been published in the Royal Gazette, making it law.
Foreign arrivals by air will have to pay 300 baht, while the rate for those arriving by sea and land will be 150 baht.
According to Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong, the ministry will examine the details and finalize the collection procedure without discouraging tourism sentiment.
