Thailand wants foreign visitors to pass immigration counter in 40 seconds with its new app
Thailand's Immigration Bureau has launched the Thai Immigration (THIM) mobile app to simplify procedures and improve international visitors' stay experience, amid efforts to realize its target of welcoming 33 million foreign visitors in 2026.
Thailand is introducing a new app called THIM, which aims to reduce the time foreign visitors spend at immigration counters, Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug announced. The app, which was launched in May, wants to limit the time at the immigration counter to 40 seconds, according to Pol Maj Gen Pratchaya Prasansuk, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau.
THIM currently allows travelers to submit their arrival information online before their trip, with subsequent phases of the app set to include public services such as booking queue appointments, applying for visa extensions, reporting 90-day residence, issuing residence certificates, and processing visa-on-arrival applications.
To ensure information security, THIM utilizes passport chip scanning, facial recognition, and biometric data encryption technologies. The app also includes a feature called "Explore Thailand," which offers QR codes for discounts on tourism and accommodation services. Since its pilot launch on Aug. 1, THIM has seen over 600,000 downloads with an activation rate of more than 97%, as reported by the Immigration Bureau.
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