Most of what's written about the Thailand Digital Arrival Card assumes you're flying in. Plenty of travellers don't: they take the train up from Malaysia, cross a bridge from Laos, drive in from Cambodia, or arrive by boat. This guide covers what's different for land and sea arrivals, and what stays the same. We've kept to what Thai government sources say, and we point out where they say nothing.
Yes, you need a TDAC by land and by sea
The rule doesn't depend on how you travel. The TDAC FAQ says: "all foreigners entering Thailand whether by land, air, or sea must submit a TDAC." The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur says the same for travellers entering by air, land or sea.
You can fill in the official TDAC yourself at tdac.immigration.go.th, on your phone or a computer, before you reach the border.
The exceptions
Thai government sources name a few groups who don't need a card:
- Thai nationals.
- People entering with a Border Pass, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai embassies.
- Crew, according to the TDAC FAQ.
- Transit passengers who don't pass through immigration. This mostly concerns airports.
Everyone else, including children, needs their own card for each entry.
The window is the same
You can submit from three days before your arrival date, up to the day you arrive. For a land crossing, your arrival date is the day you cross into Thailand; for a boat, the day you land. Our guide to the 3-day window has worked examples.
Send it before you reach the border
The TDAC FAQ lists kiosks for submitting the card at five airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. It doesn't list any at land or sea checkpoints. The Tourism Authority of Thailand says travellers without internet access will be helped at designated help points at immigration checkpoints, but that this is meant for exceptional circumstances only.
So the calm approach is to submit the card while you still have a good connection: at your hotel the evening before, or before your bus, train or boat leaves.
What changes on the form
Almost everything on the form is the same whatever your route: your personal details, your accommodation and the health declaration. The differences are on the trip page.
Mode of travel and mode of transport
The form asks for a mode of travel (air, land or sea), then a mode of transport, and the choices depend on the first answer:
| Mode of travel | Mode of transport choices |
|---|---|
| Land | Car, train, or others |
| Sea | Cruise, commercial vessel, or others |
| Air | Commercial flight, private or cargo airline, or others |
If none of the choices fits, for example if you're arriving by bus, choose others and type a few words describing it.
Flight or vehicle number
The field is labelled Flight No./Vehicle No. and takes up to 20 characters. The government's sources don't explain what to enter for a car, bus, train or boat. calmvisa asks for the licence plate or bus number when you arrive by land, and the vessel name or number shown on your ticket when you arrive by sea. Whatever you enter, keep it consistent with your ticket or vehicle documents.
Country where you boarded
For a land or sea arrival, this is the country you're travelling from when you enter Thailand: Malaysia if you're coming up from Penang, Laos if you're crossing from Vientiane. It matters for the health declaration: the boarding country is one of the things the system considers when deciding whether to ask about yellow fever.
Going in and out more than once
Each TDAC is valid for one entry. The FAQ says the card "is only valid for one time use for travel on the expected date of arrival indicated." If you leave Thailand for a few days, say to visit Laos or Cambodia, and then come back, you need a new card for the second entry, sent within its own three-day window.
The form also has a box asking whether the trip is only a day trip. The government's sources don't explain it further, so tick it only if it describes your visit.
Cruises and boats
The general rule applies to sea arrivals: foreign passengers need a card, and crew don't. The government sources we checked don't give separate guidance for cruise passengers, ferries or private boats. If you're on a cruise, it's worth asking the cruise line what they expect at each Thai port, since each entry into Thailand needs its own card.
On the day
Have your passport and your TDAC with you when you reach the immigration checkpoint. You can show the QR code on your phone; you don't have to print it. If you won't have a phone with you, the FAQ suggests printing a copy. Keep it to hand with your passport so you aren't searching through e-mails at the counter.
If you'd rather have help
calmvisa is an independent service, not affiliated with the Thai government. Our form covers arrivals by air, land and sea: we ask how you're arriving in plain words, show the right transport choices, and fill in the Thai form for you once your window is open. The questions on our Thailand arrival card page explain how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TDAC if I'm crossing from Malaysia by land?
Yes. All foreigners entering Thailand by land, air or sea need a card, unless they enter with a Border Pass or another exception applies.
I'm arriving by bus. What do I choose for mode of transport?
Bus isn't one of the listed choices for land travel, which are car, train and others. Choose others and type a few words, such as bus.
Can I fill in the TDAC at the land border?
The TDAC FAQ lists kiosks at five airports only. Help points at immigration checkpoints are for exceptional circumstances, so submit the card before you reach the border.
I'm leaving Thailand for a few days and coming back. Can I reuse my card?
No. Each card is valid for one entry. Submit a new card for your return, within the three days before you cross back.