LoyaltyLobby
  • News
  • Hotel Promos
    • Accor
    • Best Western
    • Radisson Rewards
    • Choice
    • Fairmont
    • Hilton
    • World of Hyatt
    • IHG Rewards
    • Marriott
    • Ritz-Carlton
    • Starwood
    • Wyndham Rewards
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Blog View
  •  
LoyaltyLobby
  • News
  • Hotel Promos
    • Accor
    • Best Western
    • Radisson Rewards
    • Choice
    • Fairmont
    • Hilton
    • World of Hyatt
    • IHG Rewards
    • Marriott
    • Ritz-Carlton
    • Starwood
    • Wyndham Rewards
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Blog View
  •  
LoyaltyLobby
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

Thailand Is Going To (Temporarily) Scrap Immigration Forms In Effort To Reduce Airport Lines

by Sebastian Powell
June 16, 2022
Reading Time: 3 mins read
10

In a surprise announcement, the Thai Government has advised that they will (at least temporarily) scrap the required TM6 immigration forms for foreigners arriving in Thailand in an effort to reduce wait times at the airport.

The change is expected to take place within the next week to ten days and has come about as lines at the airport to process arrivals start to increase.

Many countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and even the U.S.  have abandoned the use of paper forms in recent years and moved to entirely electronic processing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thailand just LOVES papers, copies, and stamps. The more the merrier and that for every little thing in daily life. Even more surprising they suddenly came out of the woodwork with this announcement.

The Bangkok Post reported about it yesterday (access here).

The government will temporarily halt the need for international passengers to fill out TM 6 immigration forms to ease passenger congestion at international airports.

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday this would reduce the process for foreign visitors as they were already required to fill out many forms upon arrival. It will also help alleviate congestion as international arrival numbers have increased, he added.

Gen Prayut said authorities will evaluate the outcome of the announcement and consider if it needs to be revised, especially if they are unable to trace passengers. The Interior Ministry will expedite the drafting of the announcement, which is expected to finish in a week.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said foreign travellers who enter Thailand by land or sea will still be required to fill out the form.

The move will save around 45.5 million baht a year in printing costs for an estimated 65 million TM 6 forms, she said.

Immigration police can still collect data on arrivals via the biometric systems at airports, while other travel data can be collected from airlines, Ms Traisuree said. Thais have not needed to fill out a TM 6 since 2017.

For now, this is a temporary measure and it could be changed back at any time if the government has some concerns about the practicality of doing away with the form. However, they’re arguing how much money this will save over the year so I’d expect the forms to be gone.

One such issue could include the archaic Thai immigration system which is still very reliant on the stamped passenger copy of the TM6 form that is normally being handed over to the immigration officer upon exit. But even more so, if you need to deal with anything immigration-related during your stay in Thailand such as extending your visa, filing a residence report, or changing your visa type the process has always asked for this stub to be presented.

I surely hope that all systems and processes have been updated and that it takes into account those new arrivals who wouldn’t have such a form in their possession anymore.

Generally speaking, this is a great move and will make it easier for travelers to arrive, just show the passport at immigration and go. How far this really makes the immigration officers’ work easier or more expedient… no idea, I couldn’t say. But considering how many people fill out such forms incorrectly and then need to fix things or do a completely new form all while holding up other people it’s probably good to abandon them wherever possible.

Conclusion

The Thai Government has decided to eliminate immigration forms for travelers who arrive by air and this measure will be implemented within the coming two weeks.

It’s unclear how other immigration processes downstream will react to this. If it’s your plan to extend a visa while in Thailand or possibly change your visa type then I’d try and hand over a form regardless (if you can find one) just to have the stamped passenger record in case it’s required.

Previous Post

Hilton Diamond 48-Hour Guarantee: Case Emerald House Lisbon

Next Post

Accor ALL Brazil Northeast Fourth Night Free July 1 – August 31, 2022 (Book By June 21)

Related Articles

Thailand Phuket Sandbox Experience – Worth It?

Thai Government Asks Hotels To Raise Prices For Non-Thais

John Ollila
July 6, 2022
30

The Thai government has come up with a novel idea to get more tourists to visit their country and accelerate...

Thailand Pass, Travel Insurance & Outdoor Mask Requirement Eliminated From July 1, 2022

Thailand Pass, Travel Insurance & Outdoor Mask Requirement Eliminated From July 1, 2022

Sebastian Powell
June 17, 2022
12

Huge news coming from Thailand today as the weekly government meeting on the covid situation has decided that the dreaded...

Success: New Thailand Pass Code Issued Instantly But Validity Is Back To +3 Days

Success: New Thailand Pass Code Issued Instantly But Validity Is Back To +3 Days

Sebastian Powell
June 4, 2022
15

As I wrote yesterday, Thailand has made some changes to the Thailand Pass Entry system effective June 1st and I...

Upgrade Your Travel IQ

Make the most of your travel with our free and daily newsletter with the latest hotel and airline news and promotions.

We do not sell or share email addresses.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trending

Hilton Go Employee And Friends & Family Rate Plans
Hilton Honors

Hilton Go Employee And Friends & Family Rate Plans

July 25, 2021
Surprise Free Night From IHG Rewards Club?
IHG Rewards Club

IHG One Rewards Secret Award Flash Sale

August 7, 2022
Reader Question: Are Complimentary Cruise Offers Really “Free” And How Do They Work?
Cruises

Reader Question: Are Complimentary Cruise Offers Really “Free” And How Do They Work?

August 8, 2022
Ritz-Carlton Reserve Now Marriott Bonvoy Participating
Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonus Points & Rates Update August 2022

August 7, 2022
Back Home After One Week In Bali, What Was All The Buzz About!?
Airports

Back Home After One Week In Bali, What Was All The Buzz About!?

August 6, 2022

Top Categories

  • IHG Rewards Club
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Hilton Honors
  • Accor ALL
  • Airfare Of The Day
  • Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG)
  • Hyatt – World of Hyatt
  • American Airlines – AAdvantage
  • Travel News
  • United Airlines – Mileage Plus
ADVERTISEMENT

All Categories

In Case You Missed It

Airfare of the Day [Business Class] TAP AIR PORTUGAL Barcelona to San Francisco from 1,391€

Airfare of the Day [Business Class] TAP AIR PORTUGAL Barcelona to San Francisco from 1,391€

August 4, 2022
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Member Referral Is Back: Earn 800 Miles For New Members Through September 1, 2022

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Member Referral Is Back: Earn 800 Miles For New Members Through September 1, 2022

August 5, 2022
Reader Email: Four (4) AA SWUs expire while on hold for over 10 hours; AA says “tough luck”

Reader Email: Four (4) AA SWUs expire while on hold for over 10 hours; AA says “tough luck”

August 2, 2022
Air France-KLM February Promo Awards For Travel Through July 31, 2022

UPDATE: Air France-KLM August Promo Awards For Travel Through January 31, 2023 (More Destinations Loaded)

August 4, 2022
Back Home After One Week In Bali, What Was All The Buzz About!?

Back Home After One Week In Bali, What Was All The Buzz About!?

August 6, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT

Since 2011, we have been helping millions of visitors like you untangle travel loyalty programs for free upgrades, flights and hotel nights.

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Site Navigation

  • About LoyaltyLobby
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Airfares
  • Contact Us

Hotel Promotions

  • Accor
  • Hilton
  • IHG Rewards
  • Marriott
  • World of Hyatt

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Our free daily newsletter sends you the latest information on hotel and airline programs.

We do not share or sell email addresses.

Site & Contents ©2011-2022 LoyaltyLobby.com
Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

  • News
  • Hotel Promotions
    • Accor
    • Best Western
    • Choice
    • Fairmont
    • Hilton
    • IHG Rewards
    • Marriott
    • Radisson Rewards
    • Ritz-Carlton
    • Starwood
    • World of Hyatt
    • Wyndham Rewards
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Blog View
No Result
View All Result

© 2011–2021 LoyaltyLobby.com - Site & Contents