If you’re planning a journey to Thailand, there’s an important update you need to know. Beginning May 1, 2025, all international travelers will be required to fill out the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the country.

This new system is designed to simplify the immigration process, making your arrival quicker and more efficient. Here’s an in-depth look at everything you need to know about this requirement, including who must fill it out, how to apply, and tips for a smooth entry.

What Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an online immigration form that travelers must complete prior to entering Thailand. This digital upgrade replaces the traditional paper arrival card, allowing for expedited processing at immigration checkpoints across the country. By submitting your details online, you contribute to a more efficient entry experience and help reduce paper use.

Key Features of the TDAC:

• Digital Submission: Complete your immigration details online before your flight, eliminating the need for paper forms upon arrival.
• Real-Time Processing: The TDAC allows for quicker processing at immigration counters, reducing wait times significantly.

Who Is Required to Complete the TDAC?

The TDAC is mandatory for all foreign visitors arriving in Thailand by air. This includes:

• Tourists: Individuals visiting Thailand for leisure or vacation purposes.
• Business Travelers: Those traveling for work-related activities.
• Students: International students who are studying in Thailand.
• Work Visa Holders: Individuals entering Thailand on work permits.
• Visa-Exempt Visitors: Travelers from countries that do not require a visa for short stays.
• Visa-on-Arrival Passengers: Travelers who are eligible for visas upon arrival.

Exemptions:

• Thai Citizens: Nationals of Thailand are not required to fill out the TDAC.

When Should You Complete the TDAC?

You can fill out the TDAC form up to three days prior to your arrival in Thailand. For example, if your flight lands on May 1, 2025, you can complete the TDAC on April 29, April 30, or May 1. It’s advisable to complete the form as early as possible to avoid any last-minute stress or technical issues.

How to Apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

Applying for the TDAC is a simple process. Follow these steps to ensure you complete your application correctly:

1. Access the Official Website: Navigate to [Click here] to fill out the application form. It’s crucial to use the official website to avoid scams or misinformation.

2. Information Required: Prepare to provide the following details:

   • Passport Information: Include your passport number, nationality, and expiration date.
   • Flight Details: Enter your arrival flight number and the date of your arrival.
   • Accommodation Address: Specify where you will be staying in Thailand.
   • Contact Information: Provide a phone number or email address for communication.

   Make sure to review all entered information for accuracy before submitting.

3. Confirmation of Submission: After successfully submitting your TDAC, you will receive a confirmation. While it is recommended to keep a digital or printed copy, the requirement for showing this confirmation at immigration is not explicitly stated.

What If You Don’t Have a Smartphone?

If you do not have a smartphone or access to the internet, Thailand’s international airports will provide dedicated computer terminals where travelers can fill out the TDAC upon arrival. However, completing the form in advance is still highly recommended to save time and avoid long queues at the airport.

Important Information for Travelers

Here are some essential points to remember:

• Mandatory Requirement: The TDAC will be required starting May 1, 2025, for all eligible travelers.
• One Form Per Traveler: Each individual must complete their own TDAC, even if traveling as a family.
• Keep Confirmation Ready: While it’s not mandatory, having your confirmation available can help streamline your passage through immigration.
• Avoid Incomplete Forms: Failing to complete the TDAC accurately may result in delays or complications upon arrival.
• Data Protection: Thailand’s immigration authorities have implemented measures to protect travelers’ personal information.

Why Is Thailand Implementing the TDAC?

The introduction of the TDAC is part of Thailand’s broader efforts to modernize its immigration system. The goals include:

• Enhancing Efficiency: Streamlining the entry process to reduce wait times at airports.
• Improving Security: Utilizing digital data collection to strengthen border control.
• Minimizing Paperwork: Supporting eco-friendly travel by reducing the use of paper forms.

This initiative aligns with global trends in digitizing border entry systems, making travel more seamless and enjoyable for visitors.

Updated Liquid Rules for Hand Luggage

In addition to the TDAC, travelers should be aware of updated regulations concerning liquids, gels, and aerosols (LGAs) in hand luggage. These rules are in line with international aviation standards and include:

• Container Size: Each container must not exceed 100 milliliters, regardless of how full it is.
• Total Volume: Passengers are allowed to carry multiple containers, but the total volume must not exceed one liter.
• Packaging: All liquid items must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag for screening at airport security.

The new Thailand Digital Arrival Card represents a significant advancement in the country’s immigration process, aiming to provide a more efficient and traveler-friendly experience.

To ensure a hassle-free start to your adventure in the "Land of Smiles," remember to complete your TDAC well in advance, keep your confirmation accessible, and get ready to explore the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality that Thailand is renowned for. With these preparations, you can look forward to a smooth entry and an unforgettable travel experience!

In a bold leap toward environmental leadership, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK Airport) is integrating cutting-edge sustainable technologies as part of a major terminal expansion—becoming the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to adopt DYNAES’s revolutionary thermodynamic energy efficiency system.

This milestone initiative is more than a technical upgrade; it’s a statement of intent. With Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism and economy rapidly accelerating, airport authorities are ensuring that growth goes hand-in-hand with sustainability. The move reflects a broader commitment to reducing environmental impact while meeting rising air travel demands.

Cooling Innovation, Warming Planet's Hope

Recognizing that air conditioning systems account for some of the highest energy consumption in airport operations, RAK Airport—guided by consultants ARTELIA Airport and STG Contracting—has turned to DYNAES’s breakthrough technology, first unveiled at Dubai COP28. The system’s installation in the terminal extension marks a regional first.

“Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, highlighted the vision behind the move: “RAK Airport joined the Retrofit Energy Program in 2023. Now, we are proving how even older infrastructure can lead the way in sustainability.”

Developed alongside leading scientific institutions including Mines Paris PSL, TÜV, and CNRS, DYNAES’s patented system enhances thermal performance without increasing compressor power or requiring complex electronics. It works by optimizing the interaction between refrigerants and lubricating oils in air conditioning systems—delivering improved reliability, maintainability, and energy savings.

Professor Assaad Zoughaib of Mines Paris PSL called the innovation “a major scientific breakthrough in the field of thermodynamics.”

Big Impact, Low Footprint

The environmental potential is massive. If deployed globally, DYNAES’s system could slash carbon emissions by up to 7%—equivalent to the total emissions from the internet and air traffic combined. At RAK Airport, the technology is supported by seasoned partners Airchal and Takyeef Factory, ensuring a strong foundation for its regional rollout.

This technology boost also aligns with RAK’s broader goals of economic diversification and sustainable development. With a 28% rise in passenger traffic last year, the airport is rapidly scaling up. Recent route expansions include Air Arabia’s new service to Uzbekistan and planned connections to Kenya, Georgia, and India via IndiGo.

A Model for Green Growth

RAK Airport’s ambitious blend of infrastructure growth and environmental responsibility is setting a new regional standard for sustainable aviation. As the airport continues to grow as a vital hub for tourism and trade, it is doing so with an eye firmly fixed on the future—one where economic and environmental priorities go hand in hand.

Ras Al Khaimah may be a smaller Emirate, but with RAK Airport leading the charge in clean technology, it’s making a big impact in global sustainability conversations.

Etihad Airways has officially become a participant in IATA’s Turbulence Aware initiative, bringing its entire fleet-comprising nearly 100 Airbus and Boeing aircraft-into the programme. By doing so, every Etihad flight will now automatically feed anonymized, real-time turbulence data into a global network.

This development is set to further enrich the world’s largest database on in-flight turbulence, empowering pilots and dispatchers to make better-informed decisions about flight routes, thereby enhancing safety, comfort, and operational efficiency for all passengers and crew.

The Turbulence Aware programme is an aviation industry-wide collaboration that aggregates and shares precise, up-to-the-minute turbulence readings-known as Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) data-from aircraft operated by participating airlines, business aviation, and ground-based systems.

All the information is processed within seconds, ensuring that pilots, dispatchers, and operational teams can access the latest turbulence updates through their own flight planning tools, third-party apps, or IATA’s MET Viewer, a web-based interface that visualizes turbulence in vivid detail, including intensity, location, altitude, and relevant weather patterns.

The advantages of this programme are far-reaching. By providing objective, real-time turbulence data, Turbulence Aware helps flight crews steer clear of hazardous weather, uphold the highest safety standards, and reduce the likelihood of injuries among passengers and crew-an area of concern that remains a leading cause of in-flight incidents.

Furthermore, optimized routing supported by the programme leads to significant fuel savings, lower CO₂ emissions, and reduced operational expenses. The predictive power of the data also aids in minimizing aircraft wear and tear, which in turn helps decrease maintenance costs and increase fleet reliability.

With more than 2,600 aircraft now actively contributing to the data pool-and over 54 million turbulence reports generated in 2024 alone-the programme’s reach and data quality are rapidly expanding as additional airlines join the effort. Etihad’s involvement is especially significant, as it extends the programme’s coverage across the Middle East and all five continents it serves.

This ensures that pilots and dispatchers worldwide have access to the most accurate and timely turbulence information, supporting safer, smoother, and more efficient flights for everyone.

Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Interim Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, highlighted the airline’s strong commitment to safety, stating, “Having access to real-time, accurate turbulence data allows our pilots to make better decisions, resulting in smoother and more comfortable journeys for our guests.”

Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, also welcomed Etihad’s participation, emphasizing that timely, reliable turbulence data is key to improving flight safety and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

In essence, by joining the Turbulence Aware programme, Etihad Airways is not only reaffirming its dedication to safety and operational excellence but also playing a vital role in a global, collaborative movement to make air travel safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable for everyone involved.

Qatar Airways, acclaimed as the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2024, made a powerful statement on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2025, unveiling a suite of industry-leading digital and experiential innovations designed to redefine the future of air travel. At the heart of the airline’s showcase was the debut of Sama, the world’s first AI-powered digital human cabin crew, now with advanced Arabic-speaking capabilities.

Sama, whose name means ‘sky’ in Arabic, is powered by UneeQ-a New Zealand-based leader in intelligent digital human interfaces-and is designed to engage with passengers in both Arabic dialects and Modern Standard Arabic, offering a uniquely personalized and culturally attuned travel experience.

Sama’s new role extends beyond ATM, as she is now accessible across Qatar Airways’ digital ecosystem, including the award-winning mobile app and the immersive QVerse web platform. Travelers can interact with Sama through voice and chat, receiving real-time assistance with flight bookings, destination recommendations, and personalized itineraries.

Sama’s AI is also emotionally aware, capable of interpreting user moods to suggest the perfect holiday destination, marking a significant leap in the field of emotionally intelligent AI assistants. Beyond the booking process, Sama has become a social media ambassador, engaging a global audience on Instagram (@SamaOnTheMove) with travel tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into the airline’s operations, further humanizing the brand and connecting with digitally native travelers.

Qatar Airways’ ATM stand also introduced The ORCHARD, a hyper-realistic virtual recreation of the iconic indoor garden at Hamad International Airport, allowing visitors to explore and preview the tranquil, nature-inspired environment in immersive VR. This experience is designed to make the unfamiliar feel familiar, setting a new standard for digital engagement in travel.

A major highlight was the Qsuite Next Gen, the latest evolution of Qatar Airways’ award-winning business class. The new suites feature fully customizable Quad and Companion Suites, movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova in-flight entertainment screens, increased dining space, taller digitally controlled privacy dividers, ambient lighting, and a dedicated ‘Make My Bed’ button for a 5-star turn-down service.

These innovations are set to debut on the Boeing B777-9 aircraft, offering passengers unprecedented levels of comfort, privacy, and connectivity. Complementing the Qsuite Next Gen was a multi-sensory pod, which brought the suite’s atmosphere to life through visuals, sound, scent, and motion, providing a fully immersive preview of the onboard experience.

Qatar Airways also announced expanded flight frequencies to key destinations, including Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Entebbe, Tokyo Narita, Maputo–Durban, Larnaca, Trabzon, Sharjah, Manchester, Madrid, Lisbon, and London Heathrow for the peak summer season. In parallel, the airline signed new Memoranda of Understanding with Visit Maldives and Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism to boost visitor arrivals and explore new tourism promotion opportunities via Hamad International Airport.

Additionally, the airline revealed that more than half of its Boeing 777 fleet now features Starlink’s high-speed Wi-Fi, with plans to equip all wide-body aircraft by the end of 2025, ensuring seamless connectivity for passengers.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized the airline’s commitment to innovation and regional relevance: “We are proud to return to ATM with industry innovations that reflect the diversity and spirit of our region. Sama, The ORCHARD in VR, Qsuite Next Gen, and our multi-sensory pod are all part of how Qatar Airways is shaping a future of travel that is not only digital, but also deeply human.”

Visitors can experience these innovations firsthand at Qatar Airways’ stand ME1420, located between Halls 3 and 4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, until May 1, 2025. Through these advancements, Qatar Airways continues to set new benchmarks in digital transformation, personalized service, and customer engagement, reaffirming its leadership in the global aviation industry.

SalamAir, Oman’s prominent low-cost airline, has introduced a new WhatsApp service designed to enhance the passenger experience by delivering flight tickets and boarding passes directly through the popular messaging app. This convenient feature allows travelers to bypass the traditional hassle of sifting through emails or printing documents, making the check-in process smoother and more efficient.

For a nominal fee of 0.250 OMR per booking, customers who provide their WhatsApp number during reservation will receive automated notifications with their booking confirmation and boarding passes, although the service currently supports only one-way communication from the airline to the passenger.

This innovative move is part of SalamAir’s ongoing digital transformation efforts aimed at offering more flexible and customer-friendly travel solutions. The airline, which operates a fleet of 13 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft and conducts over 80 daily flights, plans to expand its fleet with a new A321neo arriving in early 2025 and an additional 10 Airbus A320s by 2028, supporting its growth strategy aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040.

SalamAir’s leadership, including Chief Commercial Officer Steven Allen, has emphasized the airline’s commitment to leveraging technology to provide travelers with seamless, personalized services.

Alongside the WhatsApp ticketing service, SalamAir has recently introduced other enhancements such as Express Bag and Priority services, further improving the overall travel experience. While the WhatsApp service improves convenience, passengers are responsible for ensuring their devices have adequate connectivity to receive messages.

The airline also maintains strict privacy policies to protect customer data and limits third-party sharing to essential service functions. This latest development reinforces SalamAir’s position as a trusted and innovative carrier in the Gulf region, continuing to prioritize customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

Qatar Airways is rapidly advancing its Starlink satellite internet rollout, achieving significant milestones ahead of schedule. As of February 2025, the airline has equipped 30 Boeing 777 aircraft—over 50% of its fleet—with Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet. This progress comes just four months after launching the world’s first Starlink-enabled Boeing 777 flight in October 2024.

Originally planned to take two years, the retrofit process has been optimized to just 9.5 hours per aircraft, allowing installations to be completed overnight without disrupting operations or flight schedules. The entire Boeing 777 fleet is now expected to be fully upgraded by mid-2025, nearly a year ahead of initial projections.

Following the completion of the Boeing 777 upgrades, Qatar Airways will begin outfitting its Airbus A350 fleet with Starlink by summer 2025. The airline operates one of the largest A350 fleets globally, with 58 aircraft (A350-900s and A350-1000s), and plans to complete this phase within an accelerated timeline as well.

Additionally, Qatar Airways has announced plans to extend Starlink installations to its Boeing 787 Dreamliners and other wide-body aircraft by the end of 2025.

The service offers passengers complimentary high-speed internet from gate to gate, enabling seamless streaming, gaming, and work capabilities at cruising altitudes. Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer described Starlink as a "game-changer," emphasizing the airline’s commitment to redefining in-flight connectivity standards.

The installations are being conducted at the airline’s Qatar Airways Technic MRO facility in Doha Hamad International Airport, ensuring adherence to safety and efficiency standards.

Beyond Starlink, Qatar Airways is also enhancing its inflight entertainment systems through a partnership with Thales, establishing a maintenance hub in Doha for quick repairs and support. By the end of 2025, all wide-body aircraft in Qatar Airways’ fleet are expected to feature Starlink connectivity, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in aviation technology and passenger experience innovation.