Fake TDAC Websites in Thailand: How to Protect Your Data and Money in 2026

Scammers are already profiting from Thailand's updated entry requirements. Counterfeit copies of the official immigration website are harvesting travelers' personal data and charging $10 for a procedure that is entirely free. For investors and expats who cross the Thai border regularly, this is not a minor annoyance - it is a direct threat to financial and personal security.

Since 1 May 2025, every foreign national entering Thailand is required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) no later than 72 hours before arrival. The form is submitted through the official Immigration Bureau website. The process costs nothing. Any platform that charges a fee for this form is fraudulent.

Quick Answer

• Official TDAC website: tdac.immigration.go.th
• Cost: free - zero baht, zero dollars
• Submission deadline: at least 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival date
• Red flag: any site requesting payment (typically $10 USD) while mimicking the official design
• Official domain rule: always contains the word immigration and ends in .go.th - Thailand's government domain
• New fake sites appear faster than authorities can block them, so checking the domain manually every time is essential

Scenarios and Options

Scenario 1: You found the site through a search engine

Search engines do not guarantee that the top result is the official one. Fraudsters buy paid advertising and use SEO to push their clones up the rankings. Always verify the domain manually. Legitimate Thai government websites exclusively use the .go.th zone. A .com, .org, or .net domain for a Thai immigration service is an immediate warning sign.

Scenario 2: Someone sent you a link in a chat or messaging app

Even well-moderated expat and investor groups are not immune. Someone may share a link in good faith without realizing it leads to a fake site. Do not click links from conversations. Type tdac.immigration.go.th directly into your browser address bar every time.

Scenario 3: You have already paid and entered your details

If you submitted banking details to a suspicious site, block your card immediately through your bank's app. Report the fraud to the Tourist Police Thailand by calling 1155. Then complete the TDAC form again on the official site - data entered on a fake platform never reaches the Immigration Bureau's system.

Scenario 4: You travel to Thailand frequently

Investors visiting Thailand multiple times a year to inspect properties or manage transactions are particularly exposed. Every single entry requires a new TDAC submission. Bookmark the official site once and use only that saved link for all future submissions.

Main Risks and Mistakes

Risk 1: Personal data exposure. The TDAC form collects your passport number, date of birth, and flight details. In the wrong hands, this information enables identity theft, fraudulent document creation, and targeted phishing attacks against you.

Risk 2: Financial theft. Entering bank card details on a fake site grants criminals direct access to your funds. The initial $10 charge is rarely the end. Actual losses can be substantially higher once full card details are compromised.

Risk 3: Denied entry at the border. You paid, received a confirmation from a fake website, and believe everything is in order. At passport control, the officer finds no record of your TDAC in the system. A screenshot from a third-party site carries no legal weight with Thai immigration officials.

Risk 4: Endless clones. Scammers operate networks of dozens of duplicate sites. Blocking one domain solves nothing - a replacement appears within hours. The only reliable protection is memorizing and using the correct official address.

Common mistake: trusting the visual design. Fake sites replicate official logos, color schemes, and page layouts with high accuracy. Appearance proves nothing. Only the domain matters.

FAQ

What is the TDAC and why is it required? TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) is an electronic arrival card that replaced the paper TM.6 form. It is completed online before travel and is linked to your passport number.

How far in advance must I submit the form? At least 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival in Thailand.

How much does the TDAC cost? Nothing. The official process is completely free. Any request for payment is a sign of fraud.

How do I tell the official site from a fake? Check the domain. The official address is tdac.immigration.go.th. It contains the word 'immigration' and ends in '.go.th'. The site will never ask for your payment card details.

What should I do if I already paid on a fake site? Block your card, contact your bank to dispute the transaction, and call the Tourist Police on 1155. Then resubmit your TDAC on the official site.

Do I need to submit TDAC for every visit? Yes. A new form is required before each border crossing, including repeat visits.

Does TDAC apply to holders of Elite Visas or work visas? Yes. The requirement applies to all foreign nationals entering Thailand regardless of visa type.

Can I complete the form on a mobile device? Yes. The official site is mobile-optimized. Confirm you are typing the correct address into the browser bar before submitting.

What happens if I do not submit TDAC before departure? You may face delays at passport control. Officers may allow on-site completion, but this is not guaranteed and creates unnecessary complications - particularly problematic if you are traveling for a time-sensitive property transaction.

Save tdac.immigration.go.th as a bookmark right now. Do not search for it before each trip. Share this information with partners and colleagues who travel to Thailand regularly. For investors active in the Thai property market, frequent flights are part of doing business. A compromised passport or a blocked card on the eve of closing a deal can cost far more than $10.

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