Thailand wants foreign visitors to pass the immigration counter in no more than 40 seconds. To reach that goal, its Immigration Bureau has launched a mobile app called THIM. The country hopes to welcome 33 million foreign visitors in 2026. Officials say growing visitor numbers have put pressure on airports and border gates.
The app currently includes a Digital Arrival Card. Visitors can submit their information online before the trip. In later phases, it will add services such as visa extensions and queue booking. For security, the app scans the passport chip and uses facial recognition. It also offers QR codes for discounts on tourism and accommodation services. The app has been in pilot operation since August 1. In nearly two months, it recorded more than 600,000 downloads. Over 97 percent of users activated it.