Thailand Customs and Immigration 2025 🇹🇭

Your Essential Guide Before You Go

Planning a trip to Thailand? Understanding customs and immigration rules before you travel helps you avoid delays, fines, or even refusal of entry. This page gives you a clear, up‑to‑date overview, with links to detailed guides for each topic.

🚀 At a Glance – What You Must Prepare

Before departure, make sure you have:

• ✅ Passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival
• ✅ Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) submitted online
• ✅ Proof of onward travel (flight or exit plan)
• ✅ Cash funds available (important – see below)
• ✅ Visa (if your nationality is not visa‑free or you plan a long stay)

💡 Tip: Save digital and paper copies of all documents.

🧑‍✈️ Passport & Entry Requirements

To enter Thailand, all foreign travelers must:

• Hold a passport valid for 6 months or more from the date of arrival
• Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

• Mandatory for all foreign travelers
• Replaced the paper arrival card in May 2025
• Required for air, land, and sea arrivals
• Must be submitted within 72 hours (3 days) before arrival

⚠️ Failure to submit the TDAC may result in delays at immigration.

💰 Proof of Funds – Cash Requirement (Important)

Thai immigration regulations allow officers to request proof of sufficient funds:

• 20,000 THB per person
• 40,000 THB per family

This amount is intended to demonstrate that you can support yourself during your stay.

Important details travelers should know:

• Funds are officially required in cash (Thai Baht or equivalent foreign currency)
• Enforcement is not always consistent, but checks do happen
• Officers are more likely to ask if:
  • You stay frequently or long‑term in Thailand
  • Your travel plans are unclear
  • You have no onward ticket

❌ Bank statements, credit cards, Wise or Revolut apps are NOT guaranteed to be accepted if the rule is strictly applied.

✅ Best practice: Carry at least part of the required amount in cash to avoid problems.

🛂 Visa & Length of Stay

Visa‑free entry

• Many nationalities qualify for visa‑free tourist entry (often up to 60 days under current rules)
• Length of stay and eligibility depend on nationality

When you need a visa

🐾 Bringing Animals & Plants

If you’re traveling with pets or plant items:

• Contact the appropriate Thai quarantine offices ahead of time to learn current rules and paperwork requirements.

🧳 At the Border: Green vs Red Channel

When you reach customs:

• If you have nothing to declare, proceed through the Green Channel.
• If you do have items to declare (goods above allowance, restricted products, etc.), use the Red Channel and present your customs form.

🛫 Departure Taxes

• International departure taxes are usually included in your airline ticket price. Tourism Authority of Thailand
• Some smaller airports (e.g., Koh Samui) may still charge a small domestic departure fee depending on current policies.

📌 Quick Tips for a Smooth Arrival

✔ Always save a copy of your TDAC confirmation (digital or printed).
✔ Keep essential items (passport, airline ticket, hotel address) handy for immigration.
✔ Be truthful and clear when answering immigration questions — immigration officers may ask about your travel plans or onward ticket.
✔ Have a local currency amount ready for taxis or transport immediately after you exit immigration.
✔ Check official Thai government or embassy sites for the latest rules before you travel.

📦 Customs Allowances – What You Can Bring

Duty‑free personal items

• Personal belongings and clothing
• Total value generally not exceeding 20,000 THB
• Must be for personal or professional use, not resale

Alcohol & tobacco limits

• 🍷 Up to 1 liter of wine or liquor
• 🚬 Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco products

Prohibited or restricted items

• Drugs and narcotics
• Certain plants, seeds, animals, or animal products
• Items requiring permits or quarantine

If unsure, declare your items.

🧳 Green Channel vs Red Channel

At customs clearance:

• 🟢 Green Channel – Nothing to declare
• 🔴 Red Channel – Items above allowance or restricted goods

Declaring items honestly can help you avoid fines or confiscation.

🔗 Useful Links – Thailand Customs and Immigration