For the past few weeks, one question keeps coming up: 

will THIM (Thailand Immigration Management System) become mandatory this summer? 

Some sites have announced a deadline as early as August 2026. Here’s what we found, based on the sources we could verify.
Where the confusion over the date comes from
We took the time to verify this information before relaying it, because a wrong date could cause a traveler to miss a real deadline. What we found: some media outlets and assistance sites reported an August 2026 deadline, likely getting ahead of themselves. To date, there is no genuine official communication from the Thai Immigration Bureau confirming this date — and it’s the Immigration Bureau, and only the Immigration Bureau, that has authority over this kind of deadline.
Cross-checking available sources, several mention October 1, 2026, but we also found conflicting mentions — some referencing August, others specifying that the date remains conditional on the outcome of the ongoing pilot phase. In other words, even October is not an absolute certainty at this stage — we’d rather tell you that clearly than display a date as if it were set in stone.
At www.thailandentry.com, we’d rather stay cautious than relay an unconfirmed date. At no point, in the official communications we were able to identify, have the Thai Immigration Bureau or Thai government websites stated that THIM would become mandatory, nor that it would be the sole and exclusive way to enter the country. Everything we’ve stated so far about TDAC and THIM therefore remains valid: nothing is formalized at this stage, and we will update this article as soon as an official communication is published.
As long as no official date is confirmed, THIM remains in a pilot phase, with voluntary use.
What THIM changes (and what it doesn’t)
THIM does not replace the TDAC. These are two different things:
The TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) remains, to this day, the only formality that is genuinely mandatory to enter Thailand. It must be completed within 72 hours before arrival, on the official website.
THIM is an app designed to simplify repeat travel: once your profile is created (passport scanned a first time), future trips only require a few details (flight number, return date), instead of re-entering everything each time.
For a first trip to Thailand, the real question to ask today isn’t “should I download THIM?” but rather: have you completed your TDAC before departure?
Our recommendation
Until the full rollout, the two processes coexist, with no obligation to use THIM for travelers passing through. If you’re planning several trips to Thailand within the year, setting up your THIM profile now could save you time down the line — but it’s not urgent for an upcoming trip.
What remains essential, whatever kind of traveler you are: submitting your TDAC on time, without errors, before you arrive.
Need help with your TDAC? Our team reviews every application before submission, for a stress-free departure.

Two systems, one destination. Thailand is still waiting for you.