What benefits and rights does a Thai Pink ID card offer to a foreigner married to a Thai citizen?

Oct 24, 2024
6 days ago
Keith *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi folks,

I moved here to Thailand 6 months ago. I've got a non O visa that I will be extending for 1 year based on marriage.

My name is on the title of my wife's and my house and I have just been issued with a Thai I.D. card (pink).

Is anyone able to explain to me the benefits and rights that my Thai I.D. card extends to me?

Sincere thanks in advance for your kind consideration.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A pink ID card in Thailand provides limited benefits for expats. It can be used for identification purposes when checking into hotels and flying domestically, but many argue that a Thai driver's license is just as effective. Some users report slight advantages like access to Thai pricing at national parks, but experiences vary. Many find that a yellow house book, alongside the pink ID, can simplify processes such as obtaining a residency certificate for banking or vehicle purchases. Overall, the pink ID card is generally viewed as having minimal utility compared to other forms of documentation.
Greg ***********
@Keith ********
"I moved here to Thailand 6 months ago. I've got a non O visa that I will be extending for 1 year based on marriage" . . . . . if you are here on a 90-days Non-Imm-O marriage visa, and haven't secured the "1-year extension of stay yet, you are knee deep in calamities. You will be in a 3-month overstay 😐
Frankie *******
Only benefit is u get lots of boom boom.just joking sorry
Brook ********
There will be naysayers who tell you that a Yellow Book and Pink ID card are worthless. However, if you have been here a while and are informed you may have a different opinion.

For example, when you apply to add your name to the Yellow Book, you are issued a 13 digit Thai ID number as part of the process.

Those that have been here for some time will remember when Covid vaccines first became available, the only way to schedule an appointment was online - and that process required a Thai ID number in order to complete.

There was also a time when your name in the Yellow Book was your pass to gain access to the country when entry to the country was restricted under the quarantine.

Then, when the country began to reopen, the government began a program of providing half off travel vouchers. That program was available to foreigners, but required a Thai ID number to complete the online application.

Finally, the Yellow Book often (but not always) eliminates the time and expense of securing a Residency Certificate from the local immigration office when doing things like buying a car or opening a bank account.

The Pink ID card will rarely provide you with Thai National entrance fees to places like National Parks, but it will make things like flying, checking into hotels and sending packages easier and more convenient.

I am not aware of any drawbacks to securing these useful credentials.
Keith *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
Thanks Brook for your clear and informative response.πŸ™
Chris ********
@Brook *******
- Agree. It has made my life easier. Especially opening bank accounts. I have had mixed success using it to get Thai price for national parks and tourist places with dual pricing. But always worth a shot in case it works.
Stuart **********
Not a lot but you can buy a car or motorbike in your name
Brook ********
@Stuart *********
You can easily buy in your name without one too
Terence *********
Got one also and just found out that it also covers your future Tax number...wow yes.ouch....Alway found in Tland the more bits of paper..Yellow book.. cards .certificates...whatever the better.Even the phograph of when I was a monk goes down well..Sanuk..Anything to make life easier..chai..
Keith *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok. Thanks Brandon.
Geoff **********
I have been able to use the pink card as ID to open some financial fintech accounts (crypto exchange and payment system) as a Thai resident where they would not take my Thai DL for kyc. Not very common issue though.
John **********
Your name might be in a yellow house book but I'd be surprised if your name is on the title
Greg ***********
well, if you got issued a pink ID card, I bet you also were handed a yellow housebook. This replaces the "certificate of residence" from Immigration, which you will need for example opening a bank account, or renewing your Thai dirvers license
Keith *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
ok, thanks Greg.
John **********
@Greg **********
in some instances, some DLT offices insist on the residence certificate
Greg ***********
@John *********
yeah, correct, when I intended to extend my DL they weren't accepting my yellow housebook. Fortunately, my Thai GF accompanied me, and she showed them her blue housebook and confirmed that I still live in her place. The DLT boss accepted it
Alan ******
Having a farang name on any title, bonds, land, property, blaa blaa blaa, in Thailand, ???, well well well, lol. If you're happy with that good luck, she's never gunner rob you is she
*****
5,
Greg ***********
@Alan *****
absolutely right. If the marriage goes to shambles, he will be happy to get out there village alive. He won't even consider staying there, no matter what is written on the back of a Chanote land title . . . people get killed for 10.000.- THB
Andy ************
I don't like handing my info willy-nilly to a strange government. Another database to have personal details on. If it was worthwhile no problem, but I can't see the advantages
Greg ***********
@Andy ***********
YOU again! You "would-like-to-be-the -expert" . . . . . . I am astonished that you offer expertise, without having any bonds to that knowledge
Andy ************
@Greg **********
I'm giving my viewpoint. What's the point of subscribing to something if it gives no benefits?
Greg ***********
@Andy ***********
false viewpoints need to to get binned
Andy ************
@Greg **********
Obviously English not your first language! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Greg ***********
@Andy ***********
I am a deaf German, I can read lips, I can read and speak basic Spanish, French and Thai. I am fluent in English and German. My IQ at the age of 14 was tested at 135. And I presume I didn't get any more stupid in the long run. I am sligthly autistic and I hope this doesn't make myself less worthy in your opinion. And the lenght of my penis is not a matter of discussion
Andy ************
@Greg **********
You have a number of fake profiles on Facebook which are well known to people. You have a misguided sense of importance. Your English grammar and comprehension is lacking. Stick with German.
Greg ***********
@Andy ***********
I reckon I got more "real" English and American friends than you πŸ˜„πŸ˜‚πŸ˜„. You are fulla BS
Jason *******
@Greg **********
why not ? 🀣
Greg ***********
Chris *****
the Pink ID card has no benefits since most Thais never seen one. For travel and ID use you're drivers licens to check in to hotels, flights etc. What you real want is the Yellow house book, that makes life easier, no need certificate of residency from immigration
Keith *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ****
I've got the Yellow house book.
Chris *****
@Keith ********
perfect mate
Chris *****
@Keith ********
perfect, don't listen to the idiots, yellow house book is the way to go
Kim *********
@Chris ****
funnily enough then that the yellow book is necessary for getting a pink ID card (that's what I've been told)
Chris *****
@Kim ********
wouldnt know about that, got both when registered the marriage at local Amphoe
Pete *******
Pink ID is worthless, you can do everything with a driving license. The real worth is your in the yellow book. No need to go immigration for resident certificates.
Jens *********
Its good to include in your paperwork when applying for your next visa...!!
Jim ********
@Jens ********
Why? They don't ask for it
Jens *********
@Jim *******
i just find the attitude in the employees of the thai embassy i go to changed after i got mine and things were smoother...!!
Jim ********
@Jens ********
Thai Embassies no longer handle visa applications, it's all done online now, so I guess that's redundant!
Jens *********
Jim ********
Pink ID card isn't worth a pinch of salt. A Blockbuster Video membership card is worth more! πŸ˜†
Wayne *********
@Jim *******
just tried blockbuster card to do exchange they would not accept it, Told them you said it was worth more, they asked who you are. They accepted my pink id card and did the exchange:)
Jim ********
@Wayne ********
Ha! The last Blockbuster in Australia closed five years ago, so I know your statement is flawed. I should have said my Rooty Hill RSL Club card! πŸ‘
Wayne *********
@Jim *******
I still have my card from PT Hedland kept it as a reminder of work in the Pilbara with only ABC tv
Jim ********
@Wayne ********
You mean Pt Hedland actually got electricity? Next you'll be telling me Dubbo has internet access! πŸ˜†
Wayne *********
Dubbo don't need internet they all related and gossip better than any internet provider
Wayne *********
@Jim *******
yes we had even in 1970 hard to believe hey
Michael ********
@Jim *******
in your opinion I use mine quite a bit
Jim ********
@Michael *******
I agree, it is my opinion. I've struggled through 15 years in Thailand without one, and at times it was desperate, but I've hung on in there. I've always been mindful of not wanting to associate myself too closely with Thailand, and with the rumours being spread by tax agents touting for business about taxing expats, I'm happy I did. Although I will fall into the Thai Tax Residency bracket through number of days, the DTA will trump that and keep my Australian Tax Residency, meaning I will not have to pay tax in Thailand. All I've got to show for 15 years in Thailand is a bank account, a TEMPORARY extension of stay, and a 12-month lease. That suits me fine!
Michael ********
@Jim *******
Yes mine helped me out during covid. Was proof of residency and i was stuck in Singapore and embassy there got three of us farangs in on a repatriation flight because we had these and yellow book. So for me was worth quite a lot more than a pinch of salt.
Mikkel *******
@Jim *******
a pink ID card can be mandatory for keeping SSO (social security) paid out of pocket after having worked in Thailand for minimum 12 months. If you get laid off or resign, you can keep the SSO for a minimal monthly fee, but it often requires a pink ID card.

That's about the only thing I can think of though.

So absolutely not for everyone.

As Brandon mentioned above, you might get Thai price at some national parks etc.. But it's hit or miss. Same with a work permit. It works sometimes. Also you can sometimes use t as an ID, but it actually says directly on the card that it is not an officially accepted form of ID as it lacks the chip.
Tim ***********
@Mikkel ******
you are 100% correct. Its now a requirement to have pink ID and yellow house book to keep SSO insurance for Bt 450/month after ending your employment
Tumanova ***********
Following
Brandon ************
Really not much benefit. Some anecdotal evidence that some people have been able to get Thai price at national parks with the pink ID card, but others were not able to. Can use it to check-in to hotels and fly domestically within Thailand, but you can use a Thai drivers license for that as well. The only real possible benefit is that some DLT offices will accept your yellow book instead of a residence certificate for drivers license or vehicle title services.
Pertti *************
@Brandon ***********
yes tabien baan save half day trip to immigration when example buy vehicle etc where address need verificationπŸ™ Thai id and WP give free entrance or thai priced to many places.
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