Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing many separate bureaucracies regarding Thai Visa issues. It turns out there are actually many separate bureaucracies within the Thai Visa system, the Thai Immigration System if you will, the apparatus here in Thailand for dealing with matters pertaining to your lawful status here in the country. For those who are unaware, there are things like address reporting, the TM30 system. There are things like the TM6, arrival/departure card system. As we have discussed in other videos, that was an analog paper system in the past. It was suspended, it's now being brought back and there are other systems, like the 90-day reporting system etc. Each of these is kind of its own little bureaucratic fiefdom unto itself. 

I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: The Thai Digital Arrival Card from May 1 causes confusion. As we have discussed in other videos, Thailand is rolling out what is being referred to in this article is the TDAC so that's the Thailand Departure Arrival Card. They suspended that, they had a paper version of that. Now it looks like they are going to be rolling that back out in a digital format coming in May. As we have discussed in other videos, this has ramifications for things like the Destination Thailand Visa or I should say the digital protocols associated with that. Also, there may be some tax implications to this as we have discussed in other videos. I urge those who are watching this video, go check that out. That said, article is titled, from Pattaya Mail, pattayamail.com: The Thai Digital Arrival card from May 1 causes confusion. Quoting directly: "Confusion has arisen between the TDAC" - again that's Thailand Departure Arrival Card - "and a visa application. They are quite separate bureaucracies. Tourists from 93 countries, including all those sending large numbers, are now visa exempt for 60 days with the option of extending a further month at local immigration. They will from May have to complete the TDAC bureaucracy. But so will all Visa holders as the new rule applies to all foreign arrivals irrespective of their permission or permit status." And as they get into in that article, they talk about and I urge those who are watching this video, go check out that article for yourself, Pattaya Mail, pattayamail.com, but again as they note, they kind of ask "well what happens if people don't fill it out before getting on the plane?" or is there going to be a place where they can fill this out digitally while they wait in line. I expect that they will. They basically have gone from a paper system to putting this in a digital system; it will effectively be in people's phones. Now for those who are aware and sort of watch this channel with any frequency, you know how much I love all this digital travel tech. 

But long story short look I think this is inevitable. They have gone through all of the due process they need to regulatorily and legally to roll out this new TM6 system and I think it's going to come down the pike inevitably here in May of 2025. That being said and the thing to understand is matters pertaining to the TM6 itself much like 90-day reporting or TM30, is a different bureaucracy from the visa extension itself. Now how exactly that new bureaucracy is going to interact with Visa Extension bureaucracy etc., remains to be seen but we will certainly be keeping you updated on this channel as that situation evolves.