Source: TAT News (tatnews.org) — Thailand Immigration Management Application introduced to streamline foreign traveller registration.
Thailand's Immigration Bureau has launched a new mobile application that changes how hotels and accommodation providers register foreign guests — and as a Thailand DMC for travel agents, Explera is already incorporating it into our Bangkok and nationwide pre-arrival briefings. Here is what every agent needs to know before August 2026.
What is the THIM App?
THIM stands for Thailand Immigration Management. It is a smartphone application developed by Thailand's Immigration Bureau that enables accommodation providers — hotels, guesthouses, service apartments — to submit foreign guest registration data digitally, replacing the traditional paper-based TM30 form. Under Thai law, any property hosting a foreign national must notify immigration within 24 hours of arrival; THIM fulfils that obligation electronically and far more efficiently.
The app uses passport photo scanning — the system reads passport data automatically — and completes a single guest registration in under three minutes. Hotels can also process groups of up to 10 guests simultaneously, which makes it practical for tour groups and family bookings alike. The app launched in pilot phase in June 2026 and is scheduled for official nationwide launch in August 2026. It is available on both the iOS App Store and Android Play Store, and currently supports English, Russian, Japanese and Chinese, with more than 15 additional languages planned.
Does THIM replace the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
No — and this is the most important point for agents to communicate clearly. THIM and TDAC are separate systems serving different purposes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the traveller-facing pre-arrival form that all foreign nationals must complete before arriving in Thailand. THIM is the hotel-facing registration system used by accommodation providers once guests are on-property. Your clients must still complete their TDAC as usual — THIM is an operational tool for hotels, not for travellers.
What future features are planned?
Thailand's Immigration Bureau has indicated that THIM will expand to include digital document submission, appointment scheduling for immigration-related processes, and online request processing for matters such as 90-day reporting. These are forthcoming features; the current version focuses on arrival registration.
What this means for travel agents
For agents, the primary action is simple client briefing:
- TDAC is still required — all clients travelling to Thailand must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before departure. THIM does not affect this obligation.
- Hotel check-in may be faster — properties using THIM can register guests in minutes, which means shorter waits at front desks, especially for groups.
- Groups benefit most — the simultaneous 10-person registration feature is a genuine time-saver for tour groups moving through hotel check-in together.
- Pilot phase now, full launch August 2026 — not all properties will have adopted THIM immediately. Some hotels, particularly smaller properties, may still be using paper TM30 forms during the pilot period.
How Explera handles pre-arrival immigration logistics
As your Thailand DMC for travel agents on the ground, Explera coordinates with hotels on all check-in requirements. Our Thailand DMC transport team also briefs drivers and guides on any group registration paperwork needed at accommodation stops. We track regulatory changes — including the THIM rollout — so your clients arrive without administrative surprises.
Frequently asked questions
Do my clients need to download the THIM app?
No. THIM is a hotel and accommodation tool. Guests do not need to install it. Travellers only need to ensure they have completed their Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arrival.
When does THIM become mandatory?
The pilot ran from June 2026. The official launch is August 2026. Adoption timelines for all properties across Thailand will be communicated by the Immigration Bureau.
Is THIM available in my clients' language?
The current version supports English, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. More than 15 additional languages are planned.
What happens if a hotel is not yet using THIM?
Hotels not yet on THIM will continue using paper TM30 forms for the time being. There is no impact on guest experience.
Brief your clients — and book Thailand through Explera
The pre-arrival landscape in Thailand is evolving: TDAC for travellers, THIM for hotels, and more digital infrastructure on the way. Keeping your clients informed is the difference between a smooth arrival and avoidable confusion at check-in. As a nationwide Thailand DMC for travel agents, Explera monitors every regulatory update and builds it into our pre-departure briefing packs. Contact our trade desk to align on client briefings and get your next Thailand programme quoted.
Immigration procedures and app features are subject to change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Thailand Immigration Bureau before travel.
