onthemoon

I just completed another domestic trip. Didn't bring my passport. The problem with the pink ID is that the name is only in Thai. Airline staff and airport security had trouble to verify that it is the same name as in the ticket. So I also handed my driver's licence to them for the name. I don't know whether they would have accepted it instead of the pink ID, as they couldn't accept it at all because it is expired. But it still helped them verify the name. No problem al all at the hotel upon check-in. They accepted the pink ID without question.

Incidentally, the work permit renewal is the only case where I do use my passport. Which makes no sense, as a PR holder should not need a WP. Anyway, I always have an immigrant visa in my passport, because I travel a lot. Which again makes no sense, PR holders shouldn't have to renew their visas every year; in fact, they shouldn't need visas. But they, nobody ever said the world is perfect. ????

At Bangkok Bank, they even asked for my pink ID... Have changed to pink ID also at SCB and K-Bank. At the airport for domestic travel, I sometimes have to show my driver's licence, because the pink ID shows the name only in Thai while the ticket is in English. The last time anybody asked for my passport is many years ago. So yes, your mileage may differ.

Well, your experience may differ, but I haven't carried my passport around within Thailand for years, and if any official is not familiar with it, any discussion is usually very short as they immediately ask their supervisor. I haven't had a problem since I first renewed my driver's licence six years ago. Edit: I forgot to answer what I want to do with it. Take domestic flights, check in at hotels, renew driver's licence; anything I need an ID for. The exception is when renewing the work permit, that's when I need the passport.

No, in the front.

I only know about the pink card for PR holders. It says at the front "ID card for non-Thai citizens who have PR" in Thai language. That's printed pretty small and can be easily overlooked. Yes, the main benefit if the pink card is ID. I don't need to carry the passport around with me any more. The card will be issued by the ID department of your local Khet/Amphur upon request. It does not give you free healthcare benefits. Your social security card gives you the free healthcare benefits, and if I am not mistaken, at any government hospital in case of emergency. I don't think it includes private hospitals but will be happy to be corrected. In a non-emergency you have to go to the hospital mentioned in your SocSec card, of course. The pink ID card (even the one for PRs) does not come with working rights. You still have to apply for a work permit.

There is no committee working on it. There is simply no interest and no political will for that. We are a small minority that won't bring more money to the country if we don't need a work permit, and we cannot even vote. Where is the incentive for them?

I support point 1, no need for work permit for PR holders, 100%. I already brought this up to the Ministry of Industry when they publicly announced that holders of the new Long Term Residence (LTR) visa for 10 years won't need a work permit. Why do we PR holders? The problem is that several ministries have to agree to waive this requirement, and nobody sees any priority. There are "so few" PR holders, nobody thought of this. Plus, whoever needs a work permit already has one, so what's the point? - I think we'll need an inside advocate for this.

Plus add the computer chip like the Thai ID cards have. ????

I had a problem at a domestic airport with my pink ID once (don't remember where that was), because the ticket is in English and the pink ID in Thai. They then asked for my driver's licence and all was fine. I do agree that the pink ID should be bilingual, very much like the Thai citizen ID is bilingual. I travel a lot and never bring my passport when travelling domestically. Some people told me that hotels require passports, but that is not true either. When they register you with your passport, they also need the number of the TM6 - which you do not exist. I had to explain to the manager once that they should try to key in just my Thai ID number and it worked, so all was fine.

Well, every 2-3 years in my case (passports get full with stamps), and avoidable hassle. I just received a letter again with a very old (5 years?) passport number and that I should update my work permit. With ID card, I don't need a to update the work permit either; banks and credit card companies actually need that every year, but even the banks forget. Credit card companies, yearly contracts, you name it. I just don't have that hassle any more. But then, people are different. If you prefer to have a complete list of where your passport number is used, and prefer to not go through the one-time action of using the ID number instead, that's up to you.

Yes. I had the case that I suggested to an official that they call to the Khet and ask what this card is about. They did, and apologised. I once had a banker who insisted that foreigners can only use passports. I closed that account.

@jombangkok In the past, the figure of 100,000 was floating around as lawyer's fee. I always joked that I would do it for that amount, as the lawyer can do exactly nothing. He'll get the list of documents required, and that list is available in English. You have to get him the documents (starting from birth certificate), and all he does is collect them and pass them on. As @jayboy says, a good secretary is an asset for this. I did mine all alone. I never have my passport with me within Thailand, as a matter of principle. ????

In my case, Bangkok Bank was happy to accept the pink ID. It was kind of easier for them than dealing with a passport with ever-changing numbers. KBank was a bit confused but finally managed to use it in their system.

Did you see my DM?

Which batch was that, when were their documents handed over from SB to MoI?

The advantage is that you have the same number everywhere and don't have to deal with different numbers. For the tax ID, the company I worked for at the time just used the new number. When I asked, I was told that the tax office said that either number is fine, they are interlinked. I have been using the number of the pink ID every since. For social security, you have to go to their office and fill in a form. I have the form but haven't changed my number yet. They said it takes about a month.

Thanks for the info.

That's because the Red Book has no meaning at all any more. It was useful before the invention of computers, and somebody forgot to update the law.

At one time, when arriving at DMK, the immigration officer said I am not Thai and really have to go to the (very long) foreigner's line - with or without PR. She was so gracious to allow me this time and but I should remember for next time... I just shook my head in disbelief.

I talked with some big guy at the Min of Industry a few weeks ago. He had held a speech about the new LTR visa, and that the holders don't need a work permit because they showing commitment to the country. So I asked him how about PR holders, haven't we shown commitment? He admitted that we have, and we even handed in a pile of paperwork etc. The reason the WP is still required for us is that there are so very few PR holders and they didn't think about us. He would bring it up in the next meeting... I am not holding my breath.

That's the way it should be. In Bangkok, they protect the environment by getting rid of all the nasty trees, that's why they need paper forms for everything. In fact, the whole re-entry permit (oh sorry, "Non-quota Imm Visa" and "endorsement") should be on the internet. I am willing to pay the fee (by credit card), I don't mind the fee. I do mind the fact that I have to travel all the way to CW and lose half a day. It would be even better if they cancelled the requirement for this re-entry altogether; a PR should include the right to multiple re-entries automatically. Like in other countries. But I know, I'm dreaming...

True. If you have all the forms at home, that's faster. If you have to dig and find out forms to use (as the poster to who I replied seemed to) and have to download them from the internet, it may be faster to fill them in on the spot. I can never remember which forms to use for what, and cannot be bother to do research on the internet if it is so easy at the counter. Different strokes for different folks.

You get all the forms (two in total) at the counter outside. Just show them your white book, they know which forms you'll need. You don't need to figure out anything. If you forget to bring photos, there is a shop downstairs in the basement. All very easy. Just bring enough money.

What did Lao immigration say when you showed them a Thai passport?