The new web and mobile immigration management system is designed with the aim to reduce repeat form-filling for travellers and support more online services for foreigners in the country.
Thailand is preparing to launch the Thailand Immigration Management System, or THIM, on 1 October, according to the Bangkok Post.
According to the media report, THIM is being developed by Digital Identity in partnership with the Thai Immigration Bureau and Amazon Web Services, and will allow travellers to complete a full profile once and update only selected details, such as flight number and return date, on future visits. The Bureau said this could reduce digital arrival card completion time to about three minutes.
The app is currently available for pilot downloads and uses electronic know-your-customer verification against passport details. Travellers will not need to show a QR code at immigration counters as their data will sync directly with immigration systems and be checked when officers scan a physical passport.
As further reported by Bangkok Post, the service currently supports English, Russian, Japanese and Chinese, with plans to expand to 15 languages. Future functions may include appointment booking, electronic visa extension services, 90-day reporting for expats, online document pre-submission, and electronic document requests.