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What are the uses and limitations of the Pink Thai ID card for expats?
Pink Thai IDThai VisaExpat ExperienceIdentificationImmigration ProceduresBanking in ThailandDriving LicenseHealthcare AccessCommercial Transactions
Jun 16, 2025
10 months ago
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThere has been lots of posts over the years regarding to the use of "Pink" Thai IDs cards. Here is my experience after 5 or 6 years of use. In my mind it's second class to your passport or "normal" Thai ID, in so much they are used when a greater level of verification is needed, like banks, AIS, LD (land department). However, I have successfully used the pink ID in Hospitals both private and government, doctors, dentists, which is useful if I need to go without thinking about taking my passport, because I leave it at home.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the use of the Pink Thai ID card by expats in Thailand, highlighting its perceived status as a 'second-class' form of identification compared to a passport or standard Thai ID. Users share various experiences with their Pink IDs, noting that it is generally accepted in hospitals, for phone plans, and in some banking situations, although acceptance can vary by location. The benefits mentioned include ease of use for certain transactions, obtaining Thai pricing at attractions, and facilitating some immigration processes. However, many also express concerns about its limited acceptance, suggesting that a Thai driving license sometimes serves a similar function without the complications. Overall, the conversation underscores the experience of using different identification forms as an expat in Thailand.
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Max **********
Since I gained pink ID a lot less stress at Immigration. 😀
Kim *********
@Max *********
can I ask why? What can you use the pink ID card for at immi that the passport can't? Nothing I presume - except you don't have to bring your passport and the pink ID card is obviously always on you.Reinhard ********
@Max *********
At our Immi it doesn't work for anything!Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Max *********
where did you use the pink ID in what immigration process?Max **********
@Colin *********
90 day reporting I never do online.Kim *********
@Max *********
that's strange - it takes max 2 minutesColin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Max *********
ohh cool, I've always taken my passport to immigration, because I popped in to ask a question and they wanted to see my passport when I said it was at home they told me off for not carrying it, so anyway I just take my passport.Reply to
Colin **********
Reply
Peter ****************
Two years ago in hospital for Covid Did not have to pay 5,400฿ a day for 12 days showing yellow house book and pink ID. Lucky. But indeed, some except some don't.
John **********
I'm not sure the pink ID card does any more than a Thai driving licence
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
what have you used your DL for?John **********
@Colin *********
lots of different things other than the obvious one of driving. Checking into hotels, getting discounts only available to Thais, flights, the list goes onColin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
what about opening bank accounts and the like?John **********
@Colin *********
bank accounts have become difficult but you will definitely need your passport to open one and probably also a residence certificate, pink book probably won't helpCabbie ******
@John *********
I’ve opened a bank account at SCB with my passport and yellow book attached to the pink ID as proof of residence rather than going to immigration for a letter of residence.Reply to
Cabbie ******
Reply
Cris ******
My Thai drivers license has worked in the same way. I still don't understand getting the pink ID card.
Reinhard ********
@Cris *****
Our Ampere didn't even know what it is!Reply to
Reinhard ********
Reply
Julian *******
I agree. It also gets you Thai prices at certain attractions and helps in immigration issues.
Reinhard ********
@Julian ******
5555,!!!Julian *******
@Reinhard *******
why is this funny. It’s factual. White temple in chiang mai , the grand palace , wat po , all accept link id as well as many other including entrance to Koh lipe and other islandsReinhard ********
@Julian ******
Try at a National Park.Julian *******
@Reinhard *******
I have and it’s 30% chance with my wife telling the guard what for. 70% say no so we drive away. Always have a plan B. It’s not about the money, it’s the principle. Thailand is where I’m domiciled, pay tax , married for 17 years to a Thai.Reinhard ********
@Julian ******
Married to Thai 36 years live in Thailand now for 10 years and come to Thailand since 83 and speak Thai and the CM dialect fluent.I boicott every place ,which has different prices for Thais and Farang now for 40 years.Julian *******
@Reinhard *******
man of ethics and principles. Much respect to you.Reply to
Julian *******
Reply
Jeffrey ****************
I like to try to use it first for all situations..if it doesn't work then no damage has been done.
Pete *******
What can the pink ID card do that a Thai driving license cannot?
Peter **********
@Pete ******
Apply for facial recognition at SCB, get Thai prices at various tourist places, get you a PIN, ease up on several immigration procedures. Just to name a few.Mark ********
@Peter *********
buy/sell vehicle without use of passport or residence certificateStuart ***********
@Peter *********
genuine question, how does it help at immigration (I only got my pink id a few weeks ago).Peter **********
@Stuart **********
I didn't write "helps at immigration". 😉Stuart ***********
@Peter *********
okay...'ease up on several immigration procedures'?Peter **********
@Stuart **********
In my case that was getting an import permit. Not specifically "immigration procedure" but immigration related. I showed my drivers license but that wasn't accepted. Then I took my Pink ID and all was well.Stuart ***********
@Peter *********
okay thanks.Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart **********
yes i wondered thatReply to
Colin **********
Reply
Sue **********
Most people don‘t carry their passports with them. Either a hardcopy of it or on the phone to show when asked.
The Thai DL has almost same worth as the farang pinkID.
The Thai DL has almost same worth as the farang pinkID.
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sue *********
yes agreedReply to
Colin **********
Reply
Tarmo ***********
The pink card should always be renewed when the passport number changes and it is pretty unnecessary anyway because many places in Thailand do not accept it, a farang is a farang no matter what color card they have in their pocket, but 1,000 THB notes work in most places 555
Michael ********
I have my True phone account registered with my pink ID and last year used it for the phone/bank verification. Again like everything depends who you asking. Two weeks ago was getting money from exchanges and as needed small denomination euros ended up going to 4 different places, 3 of them fine with pink ID 1 said need passport but just showed her photo and was ok.
Kool *******
My Thai driver's license works everywhere
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
when did you use it to open a bank account?Kool *******
@Colin *********
already have four bank accounts from over 14 years ago. Always need passport to update them. Pink ID not accepted, only passport.Reply to
Kool *******
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Jeremy ********
I’ve used it to check in for hotels, phone plans and get a Thai D/, open a bank acct
Reply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
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