About IDFC 2026｜The Digital Forensics Journey Continues - Join Us in Bangkok!

 

 

 

1. Event Introduction

 

As digital threats evolve at breakneck speed—from IoT and blockchain vulnerabilities to complex cross-border cybercrimes—law enforcement and digital forensic professionals need sharper expertise, more robust tools, and stronger global partnerships than ever before. That is why the International Digital Forensics Challenge (IDFC) returns in 2026, bigger and more comprehensive than ever.

IDFC 2026 will take place on December 15–18, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, gathering the world’s leading digital forensic talents for a dynamic, action-packed event.

 

 

2. Event Schedule and Format

 

- Date: December 15–18, 2026.

 

- Location: CIB (Central Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police‌)

 

- Address: CIB, 1106 Phahonyothin Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

 

 

- Participants: Teams of two law enforcement officers from each country, experienced in digital forensics.

 

- Format: Team-based competition with challenges such as data recovery, malware analysis, and network forensics. Teams must bring their own forensic equipment.

 

Event Schedule:

- Dec. 14: Participant check-in.

- Dec. 15: Technical Seminar & Exchange.

- Dec. 16: Technical Seminar & Exchange.

- Dec. 17: Morning: Opening Ceremony, Pre-competition Q&A; Afternoon: Competition.

- Dec. 18: Morning: Review of Contest Problems, Closing Ceremony Afternoon: Departure.

 

 

3. Registration Information

 

- Registration Form Deadline: Submit the form by October 31, 2026.

- Contact Information: Email completed forms to idfc@meiyapico.com.

 

 

4. Venue Information

 

Location: CIB (Central Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police‌), 

1106 Phahonyothin Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

 

 

5. Accommodation Information

 

Recommend Hotel: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok

Walking Route Map (14-minute walk) 

 

 

Transportation arrangement： Centara Grand Hotel – RTP CIB

Dec. 15-16

A unified bus service will cover lunch in hotel and the return transfer for all participants.

Dec. 17-18

During the competition, all-day shuttle services between the hotel and CIB will be in operation.

 Welcome Cocktail Dinner-Dec. 15

Shuttle bus service from CIB to the hotel.

 

 

6. Getting to and from the Airport

 

Destination: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao

Address: 1695 Phaholyothin Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

The hotel is easy to access to the city by MRT underground “Phaholyothin” station and BTS Skytrain “Ha Yaek Lat Phrao” station. Central Plaza Department Store is connected to hotel (50m). Complimentary shuttle service 9 times per day to Mo Chit BTS Skytrain Station.

 

✈️ Option 1: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

① Grab ride (Recommended for guests with lots of luggage)

Destination input: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok

Distance: around 25 km. Travel time: 40–50 mins without traffic; 60–75 mins during rush hours.

Fare: 300–450 THB (includes expressway toll, fixed price, no extra tipping required)

Pick-up point: Grab dedicated waiting area on Level 1 near Gate 7.

② Public rail transit (For solo travellers with light luggage, avoids traffic jams)

Take Airport Rail Link (ARL) on Basement Level to Makkasan Station (A5).

Transfer to MRT Blue Line towards Bang Sue and alight at Phahon Yothin Station.

Exit via Exit 3, walk approx. 700 meters into Central Ladprao mall. Go through the mall to reach the hotel lobby.

Total fare: ~80 THB; total travel time: 50–60 mins

Alternative transfer route: Take ARL to Phaya Thai Station, switch to BTS Green Line northbound to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao Station (N9), Exit 3. Walk 450m through the shopping mall to the hotel.

 

✈️ Option 2: Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Don Mueang Airport is closer to the hotel, only around 15 km away.

① Grab taxi (Highly recommended)

Travel time: 20–30 mins without traffic; 35–45 mins during rush hours.

Fare: 180–280 THB

Pick-up point: Grab waiting area on the ground floor arrival exit.

② Public transportation

Take Bus A1 (30 THB). The terminus is Mo Chit BTS Station.

Take one stop northbound on BTS Green Line to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao Station (N9).

Exit from Exit 3, walk 450 meters through Central shopping mall directly to the hotel.

Total travel time: 35–50 mins

 

For more details, please refer to the official website of the airline.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

https://www.suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th

Transportation:

https://www.suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/en/transportation

 

Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

https://donmueang.airportthai.co.th

Transportation:

 

https://donmueang.airportthai.co.th/en/service/transportation

 

 

7. Visa Information

 

Bangkok, 1 September 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises foreign visitors that new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption categories, together with updated Visa on Arrival eligibility, will take effect on 15 September 2026. The new framework will replace Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption measure, which will end on the same date. The related Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026.

From 15 September 2026, travellers previously covered by the 60-day visa exemption will instead be subject to the applicable 30-day visa exemption, 15-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival, or other relevant entry arrangements, depending on nationality.

Under the new framework, holders of passports or travel documents from 60 countries and territories will be eligible for visa exemption for tourism, with a permitted stay of up to 30 days.

List of 60 countries/territories for unilateral 30-day visa exemption：

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America

For entry through land-border immigration checkpoints, travellers using the 30-day visa exemption may generally enter Thailand under this exemption no more than twice per calendar year. This limit does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore, or to other nationalities as may be designated by the Minister.

A 15-day visa exemption will apply to holders of passports or travel documents from Seychelles and Mauritius. Travellers entering through land-border immigration checkpoints under this exemption may generally do so no more than twice per calendar year, except for nationalities designated by the Minister.

Visa on Arrival will apply to holders of passports or travel documents from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.

Separate bilateral and related entry arrangements will continue to apply where relevant, providing visa exemption periods of 90, 30 or 14 days, depending on the applicable agreement or arrangement. Travellers should check the entry conditions that apply to their nationality before travelling.

 

 

8. Travel Guide

 

Weather

In general you can expect a typically tropical climate that is hot and humid, but there are three seasons. There’s a hot, wet and cool season, although the country offers a diverse range of geography that allows you to pick weather that suits your needs.

The World Meteorological Organisation has Bangkok as the world’s hottest city. The average air temperature throughout the year is 28 degrees centigrade but this hits 34 degrees between the months of March and May along with 90% humidity!

Electricity

Electrical outlets in Thailand are charged to 220v at 50 cycles per second, which is compatible with appliances from the U.K. but not those from the US and many other nations.

 

       

 

 

9. Contact us

 

Email: idfc@meiyapico.com