Official TDAC vs. paid TDAC services: is it worth paying?
Short answer: you never need to pay to get a Thailand Digital Arrival Card. The TDAC is free on the official Thai Immigration Bureau website, tdac.immigration.go.th. Paying only makes sense if you are buying something extra, and you should know exactly what that is.
Not the official TDAC website. Asia Tour Desk is an independent helper and is not affiliated with the Thai Immigration Bureau or the Thai government. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card itself is free at the official site tdac.immigration.go.th. Our optional €5 tool only auto-fills that official form for you; you review and submit it yourself.
The three options compared
| Official TDAC site | Paid TDAC agencies | Asia Tour Desk Auto-Fill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Often US$20–90 per person | €5 one-time per profile |
| Who submits the form | You | The agency | You, on the official site |
| Who sees your passport data | Thai Immigration Bureau | The agency and the Immigration Bureau | Only you and the Immigration Bureau |
| Repeat trips | Retype every time | Pay every time | Edit dates and flight, run again |
| Best for | Occasional travellers | Rarely needed | Frequent travellers and border runs |
What the authorities say
Thailand's Immigration Bureau and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports have warned travellers about websites charging fees for the TDAC and stress that registration is free and should be done through official channels. In 2026 the Immigration Bureau said at least 10% of arrivals had used paid third-party sites charging roughly US$20 to US$90 (Bangkok Post, Ministry of Tourism and Sports). They also warn that passport data given to unofficial sites can be misused.
How to spot the official TDAC site
- The address is exactly tdac.immigration.go.th. Government sites in Thailand end in .go.th.
- It never asks for a card payment.
- Search ads at the top of Google are often paid services. Scroll to the official result or type the address yourself.
More warning signs and examples: Is the TDAC free? How to avoid fake TDAC sites.
So why do we charge anything?
We do not sell the TDAC. We sell a convenience tool for people who fill it in often: your details are saved in your own browser, and a script types them into the official form so you only review and submit. If you visit Thailand once a year, just use the official site by hand. If you cross the border every month, the tool saves real time. See how to fill the TDAC faster or try the auto-fill.