In five days, I’m flying to Thailand with my family, and a few days ago we received check-in instructions from Čedok.
I usually travel independently, but since I’m traveling with my family this time, especially with children, booking a trip to Thailand through Čedok was the logical choice. They have their own charter flights, so we’re flying directly from Brno to Phuket and then continuing to Khao Lak.
As is often the case, I started looking into the basic question: do we need visas for Thailand or not? And if not, what actually needs to be arranged before departure?
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Good news right from the start 😊
Citizens of the Czech Republic currently do not need visas for tourist trips to Thailand.
However, instead of a traditional visa, you must complete an online arrival registration before every trip, known as the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). It works similarly to ESTA when traveling to the USA, for example.
Without a completed Arrival Card:
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you may not be allowed to check in,
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or you may have problems entering the country.
Completing the Arrival Card for Thailand
Completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is relatively simple and takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
⚠️ Important notice:
The form can be completed no earlier than 3–4 days before departure. If you try to complete it earlier, the system will not let you proceed.
Instructions:
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Go to the official Official Thailand Digital Arrival Card website
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Click the “Arrival Card” button
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Start completing the form
Page 1 of the form – personal details (Personal Information)
On the first page, enter your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport.
Enter everything in CAPITAL LETTERS, without diacritics, and exactly as shown in your passport.
🔹 Personal Information in Passport (Passport details)
Family Name → Surname
Enter your surname exactly as it appears in your passport.
If your passport does not contain a surname, enter the “-” symbol.
First Name → First name
Enter your first name as shown in your passport (without diacritics).
Middle Name → Middle name
If you do not have one (as is the case for most Czechs), leave the field blank.
Passport No. → Passport number
Enter your passport number without spaces.
Nationality / Citizenship → Nationality
Select Czech Republic.
🔹 Personal Information (Personal details)
Date of Birth → Date of birth
Enter the following in order:
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year (YYYY)
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month (MM)
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day (DD)
Gender → Gender
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Female – woman
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Male – man
Country / Territory of Residence → Country of permanent residence
Select Czech Republic.
City / State of Residence → City / region of permanent residence
Enter the city where you live (e.g. Brno, Prague).
Phone No. → Phone number
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enter the country code in the Code field (e.g. +420)
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enter the number without spaces in the Phone No. field
Occupation → Occupation
For example:
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Employee
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Businessman (self-employed / entrepreneur)
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Student
Visa No. → Visa number
👉 LEAVE BLANK (if you do not have a visa).
Once completed, click Continue.
Page 2 of the form – travel and accommodation information
On the second page, enter details about your arrival, departure, and accommodation in Thailand.
✈️ Trip Information – Arrival Information (Arrival information)
Date of Arrival → Date of arrival in Thailand
Select the date on which you arrive in Thailand.
Country/Territory where you Boarded → Country where you boarded the flight
Enter Czech Republic (or another country if you have a connecting flight).
Purpose of Travel → Purpose of travel
Select Tourism.
Mode of Travel → Mode of travel
Select Air (if traveling by plane).
Mode of Transport → Type of transport
Leave the pre-filled / automatically entered value.
Flight No. / Vehicle No. → Flight number
Enter the flight number (e.g. QS1234, OK567).
✈️ Departure Information (Departure information)
Date of Departure → Date of departure from Thailand
The date of your return home.
Mode of Travel → Mode of travel
Select Air.
Mode of Transport → Type of transport
Leave it set automatically.
Flight No. / Vehicle No. → Return flight number
If you do not know it yet, it is usually not a problem.
🏨 Accommodation Information (Accommodation in Thailand)
If you are not only in transit, complete this section.
Type of Accommodation in Thailand → Type of accommodation
Select, for example:
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Hotel
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Resort
Province → Province
For example, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, etc.
District / Area → Area / district
For example, Khao Lak.
Sub-District / Sub-Area → Sub-area
If you do not know it, select the closest option.
Post Code → Postal code
If you do not know it, you can enter a general postal code or leave it blank.
Address → Accommodation address
Copy the hotel address from:
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Booking.com
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the hotel’s website
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or the travel agency (Čedok)
👉 If you are only transiting through Thailand, check the following option:
“I am a transit passenger, I don’t stay in Thailand”
Once completed, click Continue to proceed to the Health Declaration.
Page 3 of the form – health declaration
On the final page, complete the health declaration:
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countries visited in the past 14 days
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confirmation that you have not experienced any health problems
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any relevant health or vaccination information
In most cases, this is merely a formal confirmation.
Finally, confirm that the information is accurate and submit the form.
📌 I recommend saving the confirmation on your phone and ideally also printing it.
Financial resources when entering Thailand
When entering Thailand, immigration authorities may ask you to provide proof of sufficient funds in cash upon request. According to official information, the required amount is:
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20,000 THB per person, or
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40,000 THB per family,
or the equivalent amount in another major currency.
In practice, this check is relatively rare, and most tourists will not encounter it. Nevertheless, it is worth being prepared for this possibility, especially if you are traveling independently.
Permitted length of stay in Thailand and penalties
Visa-free stays in Thailand are generally permitted for up to 60 days, but the final decision always rests with the immigration officer when you enter the country, who may exceptionally permit a shorter stay.
Your stay can be extended by a maximum of another 30 days by applying directly at an official immigration office in Thailand.
⚠️ Be careful not to overstay your permitted period:
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the fine is 500 THB for each day
with a minimum of 1,000 THB and a maximum of 20,000 THB
For longer overstays, especially if you do not have a valid return ticket, the consequences may include:
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being placed in an immigration detention center
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court-ordered deportation from the country at your own expense
Customs regulations: what you can and cannot bring into the country
Alcohol and cigarettes
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1 liter of alcohol per person
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200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco
Medication
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standard medication for personal use is permitted
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ideally in its original packaging
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an English-language medical certificate is recommended for stronger medication
What you definitely must not bring
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drugs (including the import/export of marijuana)
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electronic cigarettes and vaporizers
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weapons, counterfeit goods, pornography
Hooray, we’re flying to Thailand – there’s no need to worry about the paperwork
We are really looking forward to Thailand. It is a beautiful country with plenty to offer tourists, and the good news is that the entry process is now very simple and straightforward. If you are traveling from the Czech Republic for a vacation, you do not need to arrange a visa for Thailand, and all the “paperwork” is essentially limited to completing the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
Completing the Arrival Card itself takes only a few minutes, and anyone can do it. However, it is important not to forget this step and to complete the form in time, ideally 3–4 days before departure. Without it, you may experience complications when checking in or entering the country.
If you have completed your Arrival Card, have a valid passport, and understand the basic entry rules, nothing will stop you from enjoying Thailand to the fullest. We already cannot wait for the beaches, warmth, and relaxation – and we hope this guide will also help you travel to Thailand without stress or unnecessary worries. 🌴✈️
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need a visa for Thailand if I’m traveling there on vacation?
No, citizens of the Czech Republic do not need visas for tourist trips to Thailand. However, instead of a visa, you must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before every trip.
How early can I complete the Arrival Card?
The Arrival Card can be completed no earlier than 3–4 days before departure. The system will not let you submit the form any earlier.
Do I need to complete an Arrival Card for children as well?
Yes. A separate Arrival Card must be completed for every traveler, including young children and infants.
What happens if I do not complete the Arrival Card?
Without a completed Arrival Card:
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you may be denied check-in at the airport
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or you may be denied entry into Thailand
Completing it is therefore a mandatory requirement for entering the country.
Do I need to print the Arrival Card?
It is not mandatory, but it is recommended that you at least save the confirmation on your phone. Ideally, you should also have a printed copy in case of technical problems.
Do I need to carry cash when entering Thailand?
Officially, immigration authorities may ask for proof of cash funds:
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20,000 THB per person
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40,000 THB per family
In practice, this check is relatively rare, but it is worth being prepared for it.
How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa?
Visa-free stays are generally permitted for up to 60 days. The final decision always rests with the immigration officer when you enter the country.
Can I extend my stay in Thailand?
Yes. Your stay can be extended by up to another 30 days at an official immigration office in Thailand.
What happens if I overstay my permitted period?
If you overstay, you must pay a fine of 500 THB for each day (up to a maximum of 20,000 THB).
A longer overstay may result in detention and deportation from the country at your own expense.
Can I bring medication into Thailand?
Yes, standard medication for personal use is permitted. It is recommended that you:
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keep it in its original packaging
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carry an English-language medical certificate for stronger medication
What are the most common mistakes when completing the Arrival Card?
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errors in the passport number
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using diacritics
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entering a different name from the one shown in the passport
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completing the form too early
Always enter the details exactly as they appear in your passport.
