Arriving in Thailand

Airports

Most visitors land at one of these. AOT airports share airportthai.co.th.

TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card)

All non-Thai nationals entering by air, land or sea must submit it online within 3 days before arrival, including arrival day. It is the official Thai Immigration form and it is free. It is not a visa. You need a new one every entry. Children need one too. You only need one in transit if you pass immigration.

Use only tdac.immigration.go.th (official form). FAQ: TDAC FAQ.

Scam warning. Paid look-alike sites exist. Embassies say never pay. Example: the Royal Thai Embassy Abuja note.

TDAC v2026.10.00 (15 October 2026) mentions automated passport control (eGate) eligibility. The official rules for who qualifies are not published on the TDAC site, so use the staffed counter unless you are directed to the eGates.

⚠ To verify — check the official source before relying on this.

Immigration

Officers may ask for an onward ticket, accommodation, and cash of 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family for visa-exempt entry. Source: Royal Thai Embassy Doha.

Embassies also mention a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return ticket (Embassy Brussels). Officers may ask for more documents.

SIM and eSIM at the airport

Before you fly: a travel eSIM is installed on wifi at home and turned on when you land. Data in the arrivals hall. Most plans are data-only, so you do not get a Thai number. eSIM for Thailand.

At the airport: AIS and True-dtac (TrueMove H and dtac are both True brands) sell tourist SIMs at airport counters. You need your original passport for registration (True-dtac tourist SIM). You are offline until the counter finishes. A local number is the reason to wait.

Booth prices change. This page does not list them.

Taxis and transfers

• BKK: official public taxi queue on level 1. An airport surcharge is often added; confirm the current amount on the airport site.
• Airport Rail Link from BKK toward the city. Check the current fare and route on the official site.
• Grab and Bolt: follow the in-app pickup pin. Do not go with a driver who approaches you in the hall.
• Pre-booked transfers: Klook and 12Go are the usual booking desks if you want a car waiting.
• DMK: BMTA A1 bus to Mo Chit 2, or the SRT Red Line (AOT DMK).

BKK public taxi: queue ticket, meter fare plus a 50 THB airport surcharge; tolls are extra (AOT Suvarnabhumi). Airport Rail Link fares run 15–45 THB by distance (Thailand.go.th).

Find a transfer on 12Go Browse Klook transfers

ATMs and cash

Thai ATMs charge foreign cards a flat fee per withdrawal, shown on screen before you confirm. Kasikornbank's schedule effective 22 September 2026 is 250 THB for Visa or UnionPay and 350 THB for Mastercard per withdrawal; other banks set their own (KBank fee list). Always decline dynamic currency conversion (the machine offering to charge you in your home currency). A Wise card is one way to keep the conversion on your side. Money guide.

Airport money changers are convenient and rarely the best rate. Change a small amount for the taxi if you need cash in hand. City exchangers are the usual next stop.

Arrival checklist

• TDAC submitted at tdac.immigration.go.th
• Passport stamped
• Data on: eSIM turned on, or tourist SIM registered
• Cash from an ATM. Decline dynamic currency conversion
• Ride to the hotel (official taxi queue, rail, Grab or Bolt)
• LINE and Grab installed

FAQ