Thailand launches THIM as digital gateway for foreign visitors
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has launched the THIM app, bringing digital arrival services, travel information and planned immigration services together on one platform.
- Thailand's Immigration Bureau has launched the THIM app, a digital platform designed to streamline immigration and travel services for foreign visitors.
- The app currently provides access to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and travel promotions, with plans to become a one-stop platform for services like visa extensions and 90-day reporting.
- It was created to improve efficiency in response to rising tourist numbers, aiming to make entry and stays more convenient and secure for travellers.
- The platform emphasises security, using biometric verification and data encryption to protect users' personal information.
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has officially launched the THIM app as a digital gateway designed to bring immigration and travel-related services for foreign nationals together on a single platform.
The bureau, which operates under the Royal Thai Police, plans to develop THIM into a broader digital gateway covering pre-arrival preparations, entry procedures, stays in Thailand, tourism information and visitor privileges.
The project focuses on security and data accuracy, wider use of digital technology and support for the tourism economy.
Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, explained that increasing numbers of foreign visitors have put pressure on the physical capacity of airports and border checkpoints, prompting the bureau to use digital technology to improve efficiency and simplify procedures without compromising national security.
He described the aim as making entry into and stays in Thailand “more convenient, faster, safer, and more seamless” for foreign nationals. The platform is intended to accommodate additional services over time while maintaining standards of security, data accuracy and personal data protection.
THIM brings arrival services into one platform
Services already available through THIM include the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and the Explore Thailand feature, with further immigration functions planned.
The TDAC is the Immigration Bureau’s official digital arrival card system. While it remains available through the bureau’s website, THIM provides foreign nationals with another channel for accessing and submitting the card while linking them to other services relevant to their journey and stay.
Future functions are expected to include queue booking, certificates of stay, visa extensions, 90-day reporting and visa on arrival at authorised immigration checkpoints, as the bureau works towards making THIM a one-stop platform for immigration services.
The app became available on the App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery on August 1, 2026. It has since recorded more than 600,000 downloads and more than 580,000 users, equivalent to 97.2% of total downloads, according to the Immigration Bureau.
Security built around identity and data protection
The bureau has also placed emphasis on protecting personal and biometric information handled by the platform.
THIM uses technology including the reading of passport data and electronic passport chips using Near Field Communication (NFC), along with liveness detection and facial comparison, to support identity verification and authentication.
Its data-protection measures include encryption during transmission and storage, separation of biometric information from other personal data, access controls and activity logging.
The bureau notes that personal information is protected under Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act BE 2562 (2019) and other applicable laws.
The application also uses cloud technology from Amazon Web Services through the AWS Asia Pacific (Bangkok) Region. Security measures cover threat detection, monitoring, encryption and communication between systems.
Explore Thailand adds travel services and privileges
Beyond immigration functions, the Explore Thailand feature is intended to connect foreign visitors with information, services and privileges during their stay.
Participating partners already provide coupons and privileges through the app, which can be redeemed using QR codes or promotion codes subject to individual terms and conditions. The Immigration Bureau plans eventually to expand the feature with information on attractions, accommodation and activities.
Companies participating in the launch included The Mall Group, GrabTaxi (Thailand), Wipay, True Corporation, The Minor Food Group, Minor International and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, whose representatives presented services and privileges for THIM users. Other private-sector partners also took part in the event.
The Immigration Bureau expects the platform to make immigration procedures and travel in Thailand more efficient for foreign nationals while maintaining security standards as additional services are introduced.
For more information, please visit the Immigration Bureau’s official website at www.immigration.go.th.
