New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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buksida
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New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

Post by buksida »

A new immigration form will replace the existing one on October 1 in line with a Cabinet resolution in January approving a Tourism and Sports Ministry request for changes to the “TM6” form.

Following that request, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in July instructed the Immigration Bureau to decide whether to cancel the requirement for visitors to use the TM6 form as part of measures to improve immigration procedures at airports and reduce waiting times. Prayut then signed an order on August 4 to issue a ministerial regulation to cancel the existing form and replace it with a new one.

However, the Cabinet resolution allows the use of the old TM6 form, which has two separate sections for arrivals and departures, to be used until September 30.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports requested the delay until the end of September to adjust to the new form to help the agency analyse and plan tourism marketing strategies. The new form has only one side for visitors to record both arrival and departure information, with an “automatic channel” barcode for more convenience.
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Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... l/30323322


Same same but different.
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404cameljockey
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

Post by 404cameljockey »

It's the 'landing card/departure card' right? The ones handed out on airplanes? So I guess we just continue to use what is given to us by the lovely boys and girls in the sky, doesn't affect us or our visitors at all.

Although the ones already issued will still be valid when departing Thailand after September, or not? :shock:
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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Yes. The existing departure card version could be in someone's passport for several years if they keep getting retirement extensions, or any type of uninterrupted extensions. it can even be transferred to a new new passport when renewal is needed. Pete :cheers:

Note: Go ahead and lose one sometime and see the BS you have to go through to replace it. You would think you've lost a Top Secret nuclear weapon security clearance card. :roll: The reason there are immigration staffing shortages at the airports is because small, regional offices are filled with people walking about, shuffling papers, chatting etc. Cushy assignments through connections no doubt. Airport duty must be punishment? It's very similar to hospitals with 10 nurses at a desk station all looking at you as you come up the elevator. Why are they there. :? Pete :cheers:
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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even though annoyed by the process I have often thought that working 8 hours/day on the immigration desks at airports must be a horrible job.
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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oakdale160 wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:30 pm even though annoyed by the process I have often thought that working 8 hours/day on the immigration desks at airports must be a horrible job.
You can actually try it yourself if you like.
http://papersplea.se/

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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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Note: Go ahead and lose one sometime and see the BS you have to go through to replace it. You would think you've lost a Top Secret nuclear weapon security clearance card.
A couple of months ago I realised I had lost my TM card while standing in the immigration queue at Don Meuang waiting to get stamped out of Thailand. I asked an immigration official who said it didn't matter as it was all on the computer.

They did ask me to fill out another departure while I was in the queue and then stamped me with no delays at all saying mai pen rai when I apologised for losing my original TM card.
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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Glad to see things have changed since I lost mine some years ago. Required a trip all the way back to main immigration office in Bangkok then plus considerable forms to fill out.

What you say is very interesting in light of the Gov trying to streamline the arrival process. It seems they want to keep the form for TAT statistical purposes only and it no longer has anything to do with security. Why then can't TAT get their data directly from the Immigration data base and eliminate the TM6 form all together? Pete :cheers:
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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prcscct wrote: Sat Aug 12, 2017 12:19 pm Glad to see things have changed since I lost mine some years ago. Required a trip all the way back to main immigration office in Bangkok then plus considerable forms to fill out.

What you say is very interesting in light of the Gov trying to streamline the arrival process. It seems they want to keep the form for TAT statistical purposes only and it no longer has anything to do with security. Why then can't TAT get their data directly from the Immigration data base and eliminate the TM6 form all together? Pete :cheers:
govts. thrive on paper work. how else can they justify all those people sitting around doing nothing and getting paid for it via tax money and why would they want to make it simple and easy when complicated and difficult is the norm?
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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ricardo wrote: Sat Aug 12, 2017 9:47 am
Note: Go ahead and lose one sometime and see the BS you have to go through to replace it. You would think you've lost a Top Secret nuclear weapon security clearance card.
A couple of months ago I realised I had lost my TM card while standing in the immigration queue at Don Meuang waiting to get stamped out of Thailand. I asked an immigration official who said it didn't matter as it was all on the computer.

They did ask me to fill out another departure while I was in the queue and then stamped me with no delays at all saying mai pen rai when I apologised for losing my original TM card.
exactly the same happened to me at suvarnabhumi airport 2 weeks ago, I did as the lady told me filled a new card got it stamped and away I went, no problem at all, everything is in their computer
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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If worried about losing your card, scan and save on your computer or even just take a photo on your phone. Immigration accepted the photo with no problem.
Then again what is accepted by one does not mean it will be accepted by all.
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

Post by Homer »

StevePIraq wrote: Sun Aug 13, 2017 4:45 pm If worried about losing your card, ...
Staple it to a passport page if immigration didn't. If you're really worried, staple it twice.
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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ricardo wrote: Sat Aug 12, 2017 9:47 am
Note: Go ahead and lose one sometime and see the BS you have to go through to replace it. You would think you've lost a Top Secret nuclear weapon security clearance card.
A couple of months ago I realised I had lost my TM card while standing in the immigration queue at Don Meuang waiting to get stamped out of Thailand. I asked an immigration official who said it didn't matter as it was all on the computer.

They did ask me to fill out another departure while I was in the queue and then stamped me with no delays at all saying mai pen rai when I apologised for losing my original TM card.
Entry - and exit porcedures and forms seem over-ripe for renewalto me. I am in and out of a few coutnries like US, Brazil. Thailand and Singapore - I repeat since 25 years the same information about my self several times a year, as the officer said - its all on the computer. Now our fingerprints are scanned, our pics are taken - why this is not linked to the Data base beats me. These forms are over-ripe for scrapping or is there something I dont get here?
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

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It keeps the citizens employed, I cant see any other reason. Like you I have travelled extensively and never had to go through the farce of Thailand, 90 day reporting, annual reporting with the same documents every time. I am still giving in photos taken 10 years ago and there is never a question. In a sensible country the computer does it all. In Qatar you do a full hand scan and immediately the immigration have everything, never having to attend an office again for 3 years.
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

Post by GroveHillWanderer »

Seems they're going to scrap the TM6 forms - for Thai nationals only. According to newspaper reports:
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said [...] there was talk of scrapping the form entirely but the Tourism Ministry lobbied for its retention for non-Thais.
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Re: New immigration form (TM6) goes into effect in October

Post by StevePIraq »

I'm sure the TM 6 was never a requirement for Thais but then again the TM6 cannot be the cause of the delays.
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