Entry Requirements
If you hold a passport from South Korea, you must submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the Kingdom of Thailand. The TDAC replaced the paper-based TM6 form and is now required for all international arrivals — regardless of your visa status or purpose of travel.
As a South Korean citizen, you are eligible for visa exempt (90 days) entry. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. The TDAC collects your personal details, travel information, and accommodation address in Thailand.
⚠️ Common Issue for South Korean Passport Holders
Romanization of names — this is the most common reason for TDAC rejections from South Korean travelers. Our system automatically detects and corrects these issues before submission, ensuring your arrival card is accepted without delays at immigration.
How to Apply
- 1Have your South Korea passport ready with at least 6 months validity from your planned entry date.
- 2Complete the online form on TDAC.info with your personal details, travel itinerary, and accommodation address in Thailand.
- 3Our team reviews your submission for errors and you receive your approved QR code via email before your departure.
- 4Present your QR code at Thai immigration upon arrival — no paper forms needed, skip the queues.
Visa Status
South Korean citizens: Visa Exempt (90 Days). No visa application required for tourist stays within the allowed period.
Visa Duration for South Korean Citizens
South Korean passport holders can stay in Thailand for 90 days under the bilateral agreement — unchanged by the 15 Sep 2026 reform under the current visa exemption. Extensions are available at local Immigration offices.
Flights to Thailand from South Korea
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) → Bangkok
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) → Phuket
- Busan (PUS) → Bangkok
Common TDAC Mistakes by South Korean Travelers
- Korean name romanization must match passport exactly
- Korean passport numbers: 1 letter + 8 digits
- Family name (성) comes first on TDAC — do not reverse
Auto Gates at Suvarnabhumi: South Korea Is on the Announced List
Thailand's Immigration Bureau approved in principle on 17 August 2026 that South Korea passports will be added to the automated arrival gates at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the change phased in ahead of the November-April high season. It is not fully live yet: until the signage at your terminal says otherwise, treat the manned counter as your default.
What has to be true before a gate will take you
- At least two previous entries to Thailand. The gate matches a live face scan against biometrics already on file, so first-time visitors still clear immigration at a manned counter.
- A renewed passport resets it. New passport, new biometric capture - the first arrival after a renewal goes back through the counter.
- The arrival card is still mandatory. Auto gates do not replace the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. The gate reads your passport chip and looks up the TDAC filed under that passport number.
- Any mismatch sends you to the manual queue. A name spelling, passport number or date of birth that does not match the filed TDAC will not clear the gate.
The fast lane is only as fast as the arrival card behind it: the details on your TDAC have to match the passport in your hand, character for character.
Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul
For visa enquiries beyond the visa exemption period, contact the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul.
Visit Embassy WebsiteThe 90-Second Version
What Immigration Checks on South Korean Passports
- Return ticket and hotel. Rarely questioned for Korean package travellers; independent travellers should keep both on their phone.
- Passport validity. Six months from entry. Korean passports are ten-year documents for adults, five for minors.
- First-night address. Required on the TDAC in English; write the hotel's English name and street.
Your Name on the TDAC
Practical Notes for South Korean Travellers
- Payments. Korean Visa/Mastercard credit cards work widely; domestic-only BC or Samsung Pay (Korea) do not. Every Thai ATM charges a flat 220 THB per withdrawal.
- Time zone. Thailand is two hours behind Korea.
- Help in Thailand. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is on Thiam Ruam Mit Road in Bangkok.
Visa Rules for South Korean Citizens in 2026
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Guide
Free field-by-field guide to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card: passport name, address in Thailand, occupation for children, dates and QR timing.
FAQ
Do children need a TDAC? Is it a visa? When do you file? 25 answers on the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, checked against the September 2026 rules.