Thailand launches THIM app for foreign travelers
Dhaka: Thailand's Immigration Bureau has officially launched the Thai Immigration Application (THIM), a digital platform designed to serve foreign nationals before and during their stay in the country.
In an official statement, the bureau, which operates under the Royal Thai Police, said the app will gradually bring its immigration services together on a single platform. The initiative aims to improve security and data accuracy, promote digital technology, and support the country's tourism economy.
Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalug said growing tourist arrivals have strained the physical capacity of airports and border checkpoints. The bureau is turning to digital tools to improve efficiency and streamline procedures while maintaining national security.
Currently, the app offers the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and the Explore Thailand feature. Travelers can submit the TDAC through the app, in addition to the bureau's website.
The bureau plans to add Queue Booking, Certificate of Stay, Visa Extension, 90-day Report, and Visa on Arrival services at authorized checkpoints.
The app became available on the App Store, Google Play Store, and Huawei AppGallery on August 1. It has since recorded more than 600,000 downloads and over 580,000 users, equivalent to 97.2% of total downloads, the bureau said.
The system handles personal and biometric data and uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to read passport data and electronic passport chips. It also applies liveness detection and face comparison to verify identities.
Data is encrypted during transmission and storage, while biometric data is kept separate from other personal information. The app also uses access controls and system activity logs and complies with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act of 2019.
The platform runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud technology through the AWS Asia Pacific (Bangkok) Region.
Through the Explore Thailand feature, users can currently access privileges and coupons from partner companies and redeem them using a QR code or promotion code, subject to each partner's terms and conditions. The bureau said the feature may later include information on attractions, accommodations, and activities.
At the launch press conference, executives from The Mall Group, GrabTaxi (Thailand), Wipay, True Corporation, and Minor International presented their services and privileges for app users. Other private-sector partners also took part in the event.
