How can a UK citizen in Hua Hin obtain the Yellow Book and what are the steps involved?

A recurring discussion among expats is whether it is worth applying for the Yellow Book (which lists the foreigner's residence in a property) and the Pink Card (a Thai ID card for foreigners).

The general answer is yes, as they can often ease the burden of repeated visits to the immigration office. They can be used to register a SIM card, become a patient in a hospital, open a bank account, enter fee-based facilities including national parks, report to police stations and transfer vehicle ownership.

Why do I say “often”?

Because every bureaucracy has the power to either accept the Yellow Book and Pink Card or insist on a specific letter from immigration confirming one’s address.

For example, most DLT’s (land transport offices) actually require a letter from immigration as part of the process for applying for or renewing a driver's license.

From a certain “age” on, of the Yellow Housebook, they might ask you for an updated version or a more recent “certificate of residence” from Immigration

Applicants for the 5 – 20 year Elite visa will also find that they require proof of address from immigration. Buyers of a vehicle will find it useful to be able to buy and register the vehicle with the help of the Yellow Housebook.

But it's still worth making the effort. If only because owning the Yellow Book and Pink Card will set you apart from the general Farang crowd in Thailand.

The documents required to apply vary somewhat from province to province and from Amphur to Amphur

You will definitely need your original passport and preferably a non-immigrant or better visa.

If you have a work permit and/or a marriage certificate, they are very useful, but don't worry, they are not actually required.

You will most certainly need the blue housebook (and ID card) for the residence where you live, as well as the owner's permission if you do not own the property. Or the owner must be present when you apply.

Whether you need to provide embassy confirmation of your passport and a birth certificate depends on the policy of your local jurisdiction.

What you definitely need for the application to the Yellow Housebook, is a legalized transcript of your full name, into Thai script. The approval of the transcript can be made by your embassy and further the Thai MfA.

In my case, the Amphur boss accepted the transcript of my farang name into Thai script, done by the principal of a school in our district. I felt privileged and was glad I didn’t have to travel to Bangkok for this.

Other requirements may include address confirmation from immigration, photographs and a police clearance certificate in some local authorities.

Some will tell you also need two witnesses, one of whom can be your Thai lawyer if you choose to hire one.

The advantage here is familiarity with the process, as the lawyer will accompany you to the interview at the town hall or district office.

In the Pattaya area, the venue for applications depends on the location of your address: City Hall for Pattaya and district offices in Banglamung, Nongprue and Huay Yai

As you probably already know, a foreigner's name cannot appear in the blue housebook or “Tabean Baan” of a property. Even when you own a Condo as a foreigner, your name will not appear in the “Tabean Baan” of the Condo.

Having the Yellow Book does not prove that you own the property. The Yellow Housebook is just a registration of you, the foreigner residing there.

However, there is an exception to the exclusion of foreigners from the blue book: A foreigner who holds a Permanent Residency Status, may be listed there. Permanent residents are foreign nationals who do not have a date specified in their passport by which they must renew or leave the Kingdom. They also have a red book that they use to report to the police station and not to immigration. Permanent residency is a privilege typically given to foreigners who have successfully worked in Thailand and/or benefited Thailand in some significant way through their presence and activities.