Thailand:
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau (IB), under the Royal Thai Police, has enhanced its immigration services through digital technology with the official launch of THIM application (Thai Immigration Application).
Designed to evolve into a Digital Gateway, THIM provides services for foreign nationals throughout their journey, from preparing to enter Thailand and traveling and staying in the country to accessing tourism information and privileges. The Immigration Bureau also plans to expand its immigration services through the THIM application, bringing them together on a single platform. The initiative is driven by three key objectives: enhancing security and data accuracy, promoting the use of digital technology, and supporting Thailand’s tourism economy.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalug, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said that Thailand’s tourism promotion has attracted a large number of foreign visitors to the country, while airports and border checkpoints face physical capacity constraints in accommodating travelers. The Immigration Bureau is therefore moving forward with the use of digital technology to improve service efficiency, streamline procedures, and facilitate travel, while continuing to fulfill its responsibilities for national security.“THIM application was developed with the aim of making entry into and stays in Thailand more convenient, faster, safer, and more seamless for foreign nationals.
Immigration services are being developed into a digital platform that can be continuously expanded with additional services, while maintaining a balance between service efficiency and standards of security, data accuracy, and data protection, as well as supporting the country’s tourism sector and economy,” said Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas.
THIM Application: From Pre-Arrival Services to a Digital Gateway
The THIM application has been developed as a digital platform that connects services related to entering and staying in Thailand, making them more easily accessible. Key services currently available include the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and Explore Thailand feature, with plans to introduce additional immigration services in the future.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the Immigration Bureau’s official digital arrival card system, available through the Immigration Bureau’s website. The THIM application provides an additional channel for foreign nationals to access and submit the TDAC conveniently, quickly, and accurately through the application, while also connecting them to other services that support their travel and stay in Thailand.
Looking ahead, the Immigration Bureau plans to develop the THIM application into a one-stop platform for immigration services, with additional services planned to include Queue Booking, Certificate of Stay, Visa Extension, 90-Day Report, and Visa on Arrival at authorized immigration checkpoints, enabling foreign nationals to access relevant services more conveniently and seamlessly.
Since the THIM application became available for download across three major platforms, App Store, Google Play Store, and Huawei AppGallery, on August 1, 2026, it has recorded more than 600,000 downloads and over 580,000 users, equivalent to 97.2% of total downloads. These figures reflect the response from users to date, with the number of users expected to continue growing as more services are developed and access to the application expands in the future.
Building Trust with a Strong Focus on Security, from Identity Verification to Data Protection
Another key priority of the THIM application is the security, protection, and accuracy of data. As the system handles travelers’ personal and biometric data, technology is used to support identity verification and authentication. This includes reading passport data and electronic passport chips using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, as well as Liveness Detection and Face Comparison, to enhance the accuracy and reliability of identity verification in line with international standards.
The system employs multiple layers of data protection, including encryption of data during transmission and storage, separation of biometric data from other types of personal data, access controls, and system activity logging to monitor access to data.Personal data is also protected in accordance with Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (PDPA) and other applicable laws.
The THIM application is also built on cloud technology from Amazon Web Services (AWS), a global cloud technology provider, through the AWS Asia Pacific (Bangkok) Region. Security technologies are deployed across the system, from threat detection and security monitoring and management to data encryption and communication between systems, helping protect travelers’ critical information and strengthen data security throughout the entire process.
Expanding Explore Thailand feature to Connect Travel with Services and Privileges
Beyond immigration services, the Immigration Bureau is further expanding the THIM application through the Explore Thailand feature, enabling foreign nationals to access information, services, and privileges during their travel and stay in Thailand.Currently, privileges and coupons from participating partners are available through the application. Users can select privileges and redeem them using a QR Code or Promotion Code, subject to each partner’s terms and conditions. In the future, Explore Thailand can be further expanded to include information on tourist attractions, accommodations, and activities, making it easier for travelers to access services and spend in Thailand.
This represents another way to support the country’s tourism sector and economy. At the press conference, the Immigration Bureau received support from leading private-sector companies across a range of industries. Executives from The Mall Group Co., Ltd., GrabTaxi (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Wipay Co., Ltd., True Corporation Public Company Limited, The Minor Food Group Public Company Limited , Minor International Public Company Limited and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited presented services and privileges available to THIM application users.
Other private-sector partners from various industries also participated in the event, supporting the continued expansion of services and privileges available to foreign nationals.
The Immigration Bureau hopes that THIM application users will benefit from immigration services that are more convenient, faster, and safer, while maintaining security standards, making travel to and stays in Thailand more efficient. Further information is available on the Immigration Bureau’s official website at www.immigration.go.th