thai immigration warns

Thai Immigration Warns of Scam Digital Arrival Card Websites

BANGKOK — The Immigration Bureau has issued a warning to foreign travellers about fraudulent websites offering Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) services for a fee, stressing that registration — while mandatory — is completely free and available only through official government channels, the Bangkok Post reported.

Fake Thailand Digital Arrival Card Website Emerges – Scammers Charge $10 Fee

The TDAC was introduced on May 1 last year, replacing the traditional TM.6 paper form. All foreign visitors must now register their arrival details online in advance for immigration screening purposes. The system is similar to entry systems already used in countries such as South Korea, Japan and Singapore.

Unofficial Websites Charging Fees

Immigration spokesman Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee said on Sunday that some travellers had been misled into registering on unofficial websites that are not part of the Thai immigration system. He stressed that visitors must submit their details only via the official website at tdac.immigration.go.th, or through the Immigration Bureau’s main site, which provides a verified link and QR code to the platform.

Travellers are advised to complete registration at least three days before arrival to allow authorities time to process the information and send confirmation by email — a measure designed to help reduce waiting times at immigration counters.

“Registration is completely free of charge,” he said, emphasising that any website requesting payment is not affiliated with the Thai government.

At Least 10% of Arrivals Affected

Despite repeated public warnings, at least 10 percent of foreign arrivals have mistakenly used fraudulent websites, which often charge between US$20 and $90 (approximately 680 to 3,000 baht), according to Pol Maj Gen Choengron.

Among the platforms flagged were websites openly describing themselves as private or “independent” service providers. These include tdac.info, which advertises document assistance services, and ivisa.com, a commercial visa-processing platform offering TDAC submissions for a fee. Several other domains claim to process the TDAC while stating in their terms and conditions that they are not affiliated with the Thai government.

Data Security Risks

Pol Maj Gen Choengron warned that personal data entered on such fraudulent sites could be misused, potentially exposing travellers to scams or identity theft. Some platforms even attempt to collect sensitive information under the guise of offering e-visa services, putting users at significant risk of financial fraud or data breaches.

Enforcement Challenges

The Immigration Bureau said it is working with other agencies to track down and shut down the fraudulent websites. However, enforcement is complicated as many of these platforms are hosted overseas, beyond the direct reach of Thai authorities.

Thailand Implements Mandatory Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) for All Tourists Starting May 1

Officials have also sought cooperation from airline representatives to help warn travellers to register only through official channels before arrival, in order to avoid unnecessary delays, additional costs, and potential data security breaches.

Travellers are urged to exercise caution and to verify website addresses carefully before submitting any personal information or making any payment for TDAC-related services.

-Thailand News (TN)

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Imran Khan asks Akbar S Babar to reunite former PT…

    PTI founder Imran Khan has sent an important message to former party colleague and founding member Akbar S Babar from jail. According to Babar, Khan has asked him to play a role in bringing together the party’s early members. He has also been asked to reach out to disgruntled leaders and workers. Babar confirmed that he received the message through another longtime associate of the PTI founder who is currently in jail. The message reportedly focuses on reconnecting with people who were associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during its early years. It also includes party members and workers who later became unhappy with the party leadership or distanced themselves from it. Babar said the message reflects Khan’s desire to bring former colleagues closer together. The aim is to create greater unity among PTI’s old associates and workers. The former PTI leader also shared another significant part of the message. He said Imran Khan told him that after being released from jail, he would first visit Babar’s home. The message is being viewed in the context of PTI’s efforts to maintain political unity. The party has faced internal disagreements and differences among several of its former and current leaders. Akbar S Babar was among the founding members of PTI. He later developed serious differences with the party leadership. His disagreements with the party eventually led to a long-running legal and political dispute. Babar has remained critical of several aspects of PTI’s internal affairs. However, the latest message indicates a possible attempt to reconnect with the party’s early associates. The reported communication also highlights the importance of PTI’s original members and workers. Many of them played a role in establishing the party during its early political years. According to Babar, the message from jail was clear. He has been asked to help bridge differences and bring people together. The development could become significant if former leaders and workers respond positively to the outreach. It may also open the possibility of renewed communication between PTI’s current leadership and some of its former associates. For now, Babar has publicly confirmed receiving the message. Further details about the proposed efforts to reunite former PTI members have not been disclosed.

  • Pollution Control Department Warns of Rising PM2.5 Until Mid-January

    BANGKOK – The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has issued a warning that hazardous PM2.5 levels are expected to continue increasing until mid-January, with the most severe conditions anticipated in Bangkok, its metropolitan surroundings, and the Upper Central Region. An improvement in air quality is projected after January 16. Thailand Chokes Under Widespread Smog, 45 Provinces […]

  • Cambodia Pushes for Immediate Ceasefire as Border Talks Resume

    BANGKOK – Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha has formally called for an immediate end to hostilities and full implementation of existing ceasefire agreements in a letter to his Thai counterpart. The proposal, dated December 22, urges a return to the terms of the Kuala Lumpur ceasefire agreement signed on July 26 and the Joint Declaration […]

  • | |

    Pakistan’s major dams reach 72% storage capa…

    Pakistan’s water reserves have improved significantly, with the country’s major reservoirs now filled to 72% of their total storage capacity, according to official data released on Sunday. The latest figures show that the combined water storage in the country’s key reservoirs has reached 9.466 million acre-feet (MAF), compared with a total storage capacity of 13.149 million acre-feet. Officials said the improvement follows a substantial increase in water inflows across the Indus River system, with inflows significantly exceeding outflows. The higher inflow has helped replenish major dams and strengthen the country’s water reserves. The increase in reservoir levels is expected to support irrigation needs, improve water availability for agriculture and enhance overall water management during the current season. Authorities continue to monitor inflows and reservoir levels as the monsoon season contributes to rising water storage across the country’s major dams.

  • | |

    PML-N’s clean sweep in AJK refugee seats ref…

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry on Sunday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s victory on all three refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections reflected the confidence of Kashmiri refugees and the people of Rawalpindi in the leadership of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Speaking at a press conference, Chaudhry thanked voters, Kashmiri refugees and party workers for what he described as a historic electoral success, saying the results reaffirmed the party’s strong support among the refugee community. He said the outcome of the elections was a clear endorsement of the PML-N’s political narrative and leadership, adding that the party had once again demonstrated its close connection with Kashmiri refugees by securing all three seats. The parliamentary secretary said the election mandate showed that the PML-N remained the principal political representative of Kashmiri refugees. Criticising rival parties, Chaudhry claimed that the Pakistan Peoples Party failed to attract significant voter support during the polls, alleging that its polling camps remained largely deserted throughout election day. He also said the party’s post-election press conference reflected its electoral performance. The PML-N has termed the clean sweep a major political achievement, saying it would further strengthen the party’s position among Kashmiri refugees ahead of future political contests.

  • Thailand’s PM Orders Tighter Security After Russian Siblings Brutally Murdered in Pattaya

    PATTAYA – Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul issued a public apology on Saturday following the brutal murders of two Russian siblings and three Thai family members in Chonburi. The prime minister visited the crime scenes to oversee the police investigation and mandate stricter security measures for the region. This urgent response aims to restore international […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *