{
  "id": 11091019,
  "title": "Thailand wants foreign visitors to pass immigration counter in 40 seconds with its new app",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/thailand-wants-foreign-visitors-to-pass-immigration-counter-in-40",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-01T02:49:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "VnExpress International",
    "slug": "vnexpress-international",
    "url": "https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/thailand-wants-foreign-visitors-to-pass-immigration-counter-in-40-seconds-with-its-new-app-5126755.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nTo 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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "New app THIM aims to reduce immigration counter time to 40 seconds.",
    "THIM allows online submission of arrival information before travel.",
    "App features QR codes for discounts on tourism and accommodation services."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Thailand's new app streamlines immigration for foreign visitors, cutting wait times and eventually offering various public services, while prioritizing information security with advanced technologies.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}