Pink Thai ID Card for Foreigners – What is it?
Thai people use mainly two identifications cards:
- A Thai ID card with their name, picture, address and a 13 digits numbers. This card is blue. (see an example below)
- A Ta bian baan, which is a blue house book, that will certify their official address.
These two IDs are needed to transfer land, to vote at elections, to apply for a government job, to open a bank account, etc.
Foreigners mainly use their passports in Thailand as ID. A “yellow ta bian baan” (yellow house book) can also be used by foreigners. The amphur and/or Tessaban is normally responsible for that. This document, like for Thais, will indicate their official address. Immigration can also make a document called “certificate of residency” to certify your address.
The Thai ID card is done according to a law related to the Thai ID Card adopted in Buddhist year 2526.
The first digit of the Thai ID Card has the following meaning:
Number 1- means a Thai national born from January 1, 1984 onwards whose parents registered their birth within 15 days
Number 2- means a Thai national, born from January 1, 1984 onwards whose parents registered their birth late
Number 3- means a Thai national and aliens with identification cards whose names appeared in the census before May 31, 1984
Number 4- means the same group of people (as #3) who previously didn’t have an ID number
Number 5- means a Thai nationals whose names was added to the census later due to error
Number 6- is used for those who entered the country unlawfully or those who entered lawfully with intent to stay in the country on temporary basis. So if you have a yellow ta bian ban, you probably have a Thai ID number starting with 6.
Number 7- is for children of number 6
Number 8- is for formers aliens whose original nationality was converted to Thai after May 1, 1984 (And permanent residents to what I know).
Thai people over 7 years-old must do their Thai ID Card according to the law.
This ID card does not have the same rights as a Thai national or becomes a Thai national.
By the Ministerial Regulation of Section 5 of the Civil Registration Act, BE 2534 (1991), as amended by the Civil Registration Act (No.2), BE 2551 (2008), the following definitions shall apply to persons who are Non-Thai nationality;
1) Alien who are permitted to reside in the Kingdom under the Immigration Act and have a permanent residence or certificate under the Immigration Act or the Alien Registration Act, as the case maybe, and children who born in the Kingdom and have not been granted a Thai nationality by birth under the law of nationality.
2) Aliens who have been granted an indulgent to reside in the Kingdom are special cases of the Minister of Interior under the Immigration Act, and children who born in the Kingdom and have not been granted a Thai nationality by birth under the law of nationality.
3) Aliens who are temporarily admitted to the Kingdom under the Immigration Act, and children who born in the Kingdom and have not been granted a Thai nationality by birth under the law of nationality.
4) Aliens who enter the Kingdom without permission under the Immigration Act, and children who born in the Kingdom and have not been granted a Thai nationality by birth under the law of nationality.
Terms and conditions for applying and considering;
Non-Thai nationality; In the case of aliens who are permitted to reside in the Kingdom under the Immigration Act and have a permanent residence or certificate under the Immigration Act or the Alien Registration Act whose names and particulars are included in the household registration, Thor.Ror. 14 (Blue Book) identifies other nationalities or Non-Thai nationality which there are 13 digits begin with digits of the number 3, 4, 5, 8 and the children who born in the Kingdom and have not been granted a Thai nationality by birth under the law of nationality whose names and particulars are included in the household registration, Thor.Ror. 13 (Yellow Book) begin with digits of the number 6 and 7, from the age of five, but not exceeding seventy years, must have a valid identification card. The application must be filed with the Registrar within sixty days from;
1) The date of age of five years old.
2) The date of the registrar added the name into the household registration.
3) The date of original card expired.
4) The date of the card was lost, destroyed or damaged.
5) Date of revision of name, surname or first and last name Or date of birth in the household register
Thai ID Card for Non-Citizen Thailand in 2551
Following the military coup of 2014, the government wanted to register the thousands of migrants workers from Cambodia, Burma and Laos. It was all over the news that a new “pink card” would arrive soon.
PINK THAI ID CARD SINCE 2016
On 7 February 2016, the amphur and tessaban received a new regulation of 2 pages explaining the process for this new “pink Thai ID card”.
How to get this card:
First, you need a Thai ID number to get the card. If your name is currently in a yellow (foreigners) or blue tabian ban (permanent residents) we suggest you to go at the amphur and/or Tessaban and bring all original documents and a copy of the following:
- your passport
- your work permit (if any)
- your ta bian ban
- your marriage certificate (if any)
- your 2 books for permanent residency (if you are permanent resident)
- birth certificate of Thai children (if any)
It is always better to bring more documents than less as you never know what an amphur can request. For example, I wouldn’t be surprised that a translation of the passport could be requested in some areas, even if the regulation doesn’t specify it.
Bring all documents, make a copy and signed all pages in blue. The regulation also refers to a witness, meaning you must have a witness that bring with her or him his Thai ID Card.
The process should be quick meaning on the same day or you will get it few days later. You must submit both thumbs as fingerprints and take a picture without shoes where they make the cards. Migrants workers for Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar have a similar card but it is white. Dress properly for the day that you go to make your card.
This card is valid for 10 years according to clause 8 of regulation in 2551. However, if you are over 60, it will be without an expiry date (also on same clause 8).
What are the benefits? We will see….maybe you will pay Thai prices in national parks? Maybe you won’t have to always carry your passport (But the visa is not written on that card). This is an official ID from Thailand, with your name in Thai and your Thai ID number. It will also fix the spelling of your Thai name.