How can a foreigner get their name on a Tabien Baan in Thailand, and what documentation is required?

May 17, 2023
2 years ago
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’d like to get my name in a Tabien Baan in prep for Thai Citizenship. Anyone done this for Blue Tabien Baan? What does the Amphur need to get this done? Thx.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This conversation centers around the process for foreigners to have their name included in a Tabien Baan (house registration book) in Thailand, as part of the pathway to Thai citizenship. Key points include the distinction between the yellow and blue Tabien Baan, with blue reserved for Thai nationals only. Many commenters note that requirements vary significantly by district and office, complicating the process. Necessary documents include a passport and visa, and possibly translations of credentials. Some participants shared experiences of obtaining a "Pink ID Card" as part of the registration process, while highlighting the bureaucratic challenges faced. It was also noted that additional points may be rewarded for being registered in a Tabien Baan during the citizenship application.
Johnny ******
If you live outside Bangkok, it's a good idea to get your yellow housebook at a friend's house in Bangkok. I tried to get citizenship in Khon Kaen but too hard. The process was much easier in Bangkok, however I had to get my birth certificate legalised then translated then verified. This was as for the citizenship process you need your parent's names on the yellow book. Also needed my parent's passport copies. You'll also need to choose a Thai name at the district office when starting the process of naturalisation, but you can keep your original name if you want.
John **********
I think you can only get your name in a blue tabien baan after you get citizenship
Johnny ******
@John *********
or if you have PR.
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Yeah I’m confused about this. I thought the color is determined by the property owner’s citizenship and not necessarily the tenant. I’ll go ask soon.
John **********
@Mark ********
the tenant wouldn't get in the Thai owners book at all.
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I don’t think this is accurate. The Thai citizenship explicitly awards points for being in a Tabien Baan. And it’s suggested you ask a Thai friend to be put in theirs for points.

It’s housing registration - people register in that book to say that’s their official address. Tenants are in Tabien Baans all the time.
John **********
@Mark ********
I've never heard of a foreigner being in a Thai's tabien baan unless married to the Thai owner.
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I’ll keep asking. The Blue vs Yellow is simply the nationality of the property owner.

Most Tabien Baans have many tenants registered inside that Tabien Baan. I’m not sure why the nationality of the tenant would matter.

But honestly I’m just piecing this together from diff sources.
@Thai ************
maybe you can elaborate? I know your article for citizenship mentions getting your name in a Yellow Tabien Baan specifically…
John **********
@Mark ********
I can't help with Thai citizenship, I don't qualify for it. I know there is a specific group for purely that but can't remember the name.
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
You’re right about the Tabien Baans after having read this:

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Jeremy ********
Easy process…I went to the Amphur provided a copy of my passport and visa, filled out some paperwork, took a picture, met the district chief, it took 2 weeks, then I received my Pink ID Card for the cost of I think 100THB…I also had to get some paperwork translated
Kerren **************
@Jeremy *******
I’m a foreigner wife and I’m in the blue book with my kids
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kerren *************
Are you a Thai Citizen or Permanent Resident?
Jeremy ********
@Mark ********
no not at all …I just wanted a pink card
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
Are you referring to process of getting Pink Card or being added to a Tabien Baan? Do you own the property yourself?

I’m looking to get on one as a tenant/resident - I don’t own property.
Jeremy ********
@Mark ********
that’s what I did I was added as a tenant on a residence for the tambien and received a pink card…easy process just took about 2 weeks if I remember correctly
Drew *******
@Jeremy *******
, was that before Covid? As I am now 54 weeks still waiting. As said previous all districts and sub-districts are different. I am just unfortunate for the province I am in.
Jeremy ********
@Drew ******
it was before covid
Drew *******
@Jeremy *******
think because of Covid some provinces have huge back logs or least that is what I was told 40 weeks ago.
Jeremy ********
@Drew ******
i did it in Bangkok and it was a smooth and streamlined process…I was actually in awe of how proficient it was
Drew *******
@Jeremy *******
can I ask did you have to have your passport translated into Thai?
Jeremy ********
@Drew ******
I think so it’s been so long that I have forgot what I had translated
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
Everything I’m reading says only Thai nationals and Permanent Residents are entered into blue books. All foreigners go into yellow books.

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Jeremy ********
@Mark ********
you're correct it is the yellow book...they issued the Yellow book at the Ampur to go to me and the blue book to stay with the owner... easy process took 2 weeks in the pre-covid world
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
Ah ok interesting. Do you know if it was a yellow or blue Tabien Baan? Like you had to know a property owner to do this right?
Jeremy ********
@Mark ********
yes I know the property owner
Jeremy ********
@Mark ********
I was added to the blue tambien Baan
Del ******
If a foreigner , you only get a yellow Tabein ban , blue are reserved for Thai nationals only
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Del *****
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this refers to the owner of the Tabien Baan - not the tenants or people listed in the Tabien Baan.

A foreigner condo owner is issued a yellow Tabien Baan. But a Thai property owner is issued a Blue Tabien Baan. This is a different thing than being listed on a Tabien Baan as a tenant.

Not 100% sure on this, would love more insight.
Del ******
@Mark ********
your guess is good as mine .. not come across a situation like that .
Brandon ************
Every office has vastly different requirements. That's why searching online is useless. You have to go ask the office you'll be dealing with.

Do take note that it's simply not possible at some offices.
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Ok thx. Regarding which office - are you referring to the ‘Amphu’? Or I’m just not sure if that’s the same as a ‘Tessaban’
Ludwig ***********
@Mark ********
Tessaban refers to the Tambon office (sub district). The house book is being issued by the Amphur office (district). Thais get a blue book, foreigners get a yellow book. The process to get a yellow book varies widely from Amphur to Amphur, very easy to very difficult. Usually they want to ascertain whether you have any intention to stay long time in Thailand, they don’t want to issue yellow books to people who disappear after 2 or 3 years.
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ludwig **********
That all makes sense thx.

For my particular circumstance, I’m not looking to acquire a yellow book. I’m looking to get registered in one as a tenant.
Brandon ************
@Mark ********
usually the amphur handles this as far as I know. But there's different names for the same thing in different parts of Thailand 😵‍💫
Terry **********
Going through process at moment. Best bet is go to Tessaban and ask as it's a complete mare. You might have various tessabans within you're area dealing with different sub districts, and I would put money on it that they're not doing the same as each other, seriously.
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
Ok I’ll figure out who I need to talk to.

You mentioned ‘Tessaban’, what’s the difference between that and ‘Amphur’?
Johnny ******
@Mark ********
amphur deals with house registration, not tessaban.
Terry **********
@Mark ********
same same really, just symantics
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
Two diff offices entirely I learned. One is district, other is sub district. Many Tessabans, few Ampurs
Terry **********
@Mark ********
cheers bud. Everyday is a school day
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
Lol definitely.
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