When you get married and live in Thailand, you should get a Pink Thai ID Card.
The pink ID card is an official Thai ID, featuring your name in Thai and your Thai ID number. It confirms the spelling of your Thai name that should be used the same everywhere.
Non-Thai residents, mainly foreign nationals, use their passports as identification in Thailand. A variant of the Ta bian ban, known as the “Yellow Ta bian baan,” (Yellow House Book) can be used by foreigners.
This document is typically issued by the local Amphur and/or Tessaban, providing an official address for the foreign resident. Another document provided by Immigration, known as the “Certificate of Residency,” can also validate a foreigner’s address.
The pink ID card for foreigners is a unique identification card. It does not offer the same rights as those held by a Thai national and on the back, it is even written that this is not an ID card! Yes, but still, it can be very useful if you live in Thailand or even when you are abroad.
The Ministerial Regulation of Section 5 of the Civil Registration Act, BE 2534 (1991), as amended by the Civil Registration Act (No.2), BE 2551 (2008), provides several definitions for non-Thai nationality individuals:
- Aliens who have obtained permission to reside in the Kingdom under the Immigration Act and have a permanent residence or certificate under the Immigration Act or the Alien Registration Act. This category also includes children born in the Kingdom who have not been granted Thai nationality by birth.
- Aliens who have been granted special cases of residence in the Kingdom by the Minister of Interior under the Immigration Act and children born in the Kingdom who have not been granted Thai nationality by birth.
- Aliens temporarily admitted to the Kingdom under the Immigration Act and children born in the Kingdom who have not been granted Thai nationality by birth.
- Aliens who entered the Kingdom without permission under the Immigration Act, and children born in the Kingdom who have not been granted Thai nationality by birth.
You must be in a ta bian baan before applying for Thai pink ID for foreigners
This pink ID card is valid for 10 years as per clause 8 of the regulation in 2551. However, if you are over 60, it will not have an expiry date. The issuing process can be free or may cost up to 60 baht as per the law. Remember that if you are a foreigner, you must apply to get a yellow ta bian baan first. Unless you have permanent residency, which you would be in a blue ta bian baan.
The benefits of the card are subject to discussion. Perhaps you might receive Thai prices in national parks or might not need to carry your passport all the time (however, the visa information is not listed on the card).
Documents needed for pink Thai ID for foreigners
For obtaining this card, one must have a Thai ID number. It is recommended to go to the Amphur and/or Tessaban with all original documents and copies of the following, as needed:
- Your passport
- Your work permit (if applicable)
- Your Ta bian ban
- Your marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Your two books for permanent residency (if applicable)
- Birth certificate of Thai children (if applicable)