Does a Thai citizen living in a rental property need a new House Registration book with each address change?

Oct 27, 2023
a year ago
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone. As background, my wife (Thai) and I retired in Thailand (Jomtien) starting in May of this year. Prior to that my wife had lived in the US for 30 years. So her idea of many Thai government requirements and procedures is based on how things were done 30-40 years ago rather than today.

My questions pertain to House Registration Books. She is originally from Yasothon, though she has had no property or ties to there for decades. She did make a trip there over 25 years ago to register our marriage that was done in the US.

When we arrived in Thailand this year her national ID card had expired, so we went to Pattaya City Hall and got a new one. At the time we were still living in a hotel waiting to move into a condo. We did that the next month. One other piece of info: she and her adult son own a house in Chachoengsao that we bought 20 years ago. She never actually lived there and never will.

So with all that in mind, my reading indicates that Thai House Registration books are used to report and provide proof of where you actual reside, not whether you are the ownerof the property or not. So it seems to me that she would need to get a new book with our condo address in Jomtien as the registered address. She however is under the impression that she either needs tophysically go to Yasothon to fix this or to Chachoengsao since she is half owner of a house there.

Ive also read that now all the district offices share info by internet and there is no need tophysically go to those other locations but could do whatever we need to do here in Chonburi district office.

So my main question is, does a Thai citizen who lives in a rental property need a new House Registration book that reflects that address and needs a new book each time the rental address changes? And would that be done at the district office of the rental location?

And lastly, I have seen references to a yellow house registration book for foreigners. I am here on a 10 year visa and intend to stay for my remaining years. Is that registration required, or optional, and is there value in getting it?

Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether a Thai citizen, who resides in a rental property, is required to have a House Registration book reflecting their current address and the process involved, including the importance of registering at the district office corresponding with the rental location. There are references to the yellow house registration book for foreigners, its benefits for proof of address, and implications concerning access to health schemes in Thailand.
Xjwhudkwhry ********
She and her son owns the house you've paid for? Lol.
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Xjwhudkwhry *******
it was a gift to the son. It was around 15 years ago and the amount of the house was trivial compared to my income. I didn't have and still have no intention of ever living in that house. My wife and I have been together for 30 years and are both in our 60s. We are well positioned and the house turned out to be a nice way to help the son get established.
Kay ********************
Hi Mike,

The system here is not the same as in the States where address on your ID card is your actual address either you rent or own the place.

Here, address on your ID card is where you registered on the house registration book. It can be the one you own or owned by family or friend who allows you to be registered on their book.

I own condo in Pattaya and also rent a condo in Bangkok. Even though Bangkok condo is actually my home base but landlord (normally) don’t allow tenant to be registered on their book therefore Pattaya condo is the address shown on my ID where my name is registered on the house registration book that I own.

I was in the state for 35 years so I took me a little while to figure out the Thai’s way of do things when I moved back here 6 years ago. 😁
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kay *******************
thanks! One next question if I may. They intend on selling the house in a few months. So she will have no "permanent address" or house ownership after that as we will be living in rentals. So my question is, does each Thai citizen need their own House Registration Book, even if they only live in a rental, or are you saying that the House Registration Book is only given to owners of properties, and she is supposed to have the landlord add her name to a book for the condo address? Or if she has no permanent address she just doesnt require a House Registration Book as long as she has a National ID Card?

Thanks
Robert **********
@Mike ********
if she is going to access the the 30 Baht , or Social Security Thai national health schemes, she may want to get permission from your landlord, and be put on the house book at the condo where you guys usually live. Otherwise, she would be registered at a hospital near the hospital location, not your actual location.
Kay ********************
@Mike ********
The house registration book is only issued to the owner of the property.

I was registered on my mom’s book while I was away in the states and remained on that book when I returned even though I didn’t leave there.

I then registered on my niece’s book until I bought a condo couple years later after my mom passed away and we sold her home.

I am sure your wife have family members that own property who wouldn’t mind adding

her to their book as all Thai’s are required to be registered on the book then she will do a change of address on her ID with that address. Again, here in Thailand address on the ID is where you are registered on the house book and not always be the actual address where you live. It does not make sense but just how it works here.

It’s a pain in the neck system. I had to go through this to reinstate my Thai citizenship and not having to dealing retirement visa ever again once I decided to live here permanently.

I hope y’all will find a solution for this. Good luck to y’all.
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Twiggy ******
With the yellow book, you can apply for a pink ID card. It is handy when you buy train tickets in Thailand for example, that you don’t need to show them the passport.
Alastair ********
Every Thai citizen is meant to be registered in a house book. It's very common that they don't live in the same address. Many rental owners don't like to register their tenants in the house book of that address.

Copies of house book is often required when dealing with different government departments.

The yellow house book allows non-citizens to be registered, and can assist as proof of address for dealing with banks, immigration, etc. Also helpful if you qualify for immigration / citizenship pathways.
James *********
Many knowledgeable people in this group, (I'm not one of them) but it's a Friday and not always the best day for an answer, as many go traveling, are socializing, etc today. Check for answers here tomorrow 🙏
Dave ******
Why would a Thai citizen need to register with immigration?
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dave *****
not with immigration.
Dave ******
@Mike ********
Ok, then i don't understand what you're asking?
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dave *****
im asking about Thai House Registration which is something Thai citizens have (and apparently some foreigners) that is done through district offices not immigration offices. This may be the wrong group as its not visa related. But I saw the everything else in the title so thought I would give it a try.
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