Thailand has replaced its old paper arrival card with a mandatory online form, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), for every foreign national entering the country by air, land or sea — including at Phuket International Airport.
What it involves
The TDAC must be completed online in advance of arrival, covering personal details, travel plans, accommodation information and the purpose of your visit. It's submitted through Thailand's official immigration portal rather than filled out on paper during the flight or at the airport.
Why it matters
Arriving without a completed TDAC can cause delays at immigration, and in some cases has been reported to risk refusal of entry — worth treating this as a genuine pre-departure task alongside checking your passport validity and visa-exemption status, rather than something to sort out on arrival.
How to complete it
Submit the form through Thailand's official immigration website within the window specified by current rules before your flight — avoid third-party sites charging a fee for what is a free official process. If you're unsure which official channel is current, your airline or a Thai embassy/consulate can point you to it directly.