Border Tensions Rise as Claims of Forest Fires Surface

Cambodia can do on their land as they want.. What Thailand thinks it is is not important and not even done to interfere in another country....But Thailand wants to control everything and everybody, but it can't be done over the borders. And as long Cambodia is not doing anything, Thailand can think the worst, but there is no proof yet.... so why claim rising border tensions.. It is made up by Thailand

The Thai Facebook page “Army Military Force” has alleged that Cambodian soldiers were deliberately setting fires along the border as a tactical maneuver.

“…The intention, according to the posts, is to reduce visibility for Thai forces, who reportedly hold higher ground and have been intercepting Cambodian communications…”

However, according to the Top News report I watched this morning, the attempt appears to have backfired badly thanks to a change in wind direction, destroying some Cambodian buildings rather than obscuring Thai positions.

With no official confirmation yet from Thai authorities, this remains speculative.

One thing is painfully clear though: incidents like this only add fuel to the fire.

Tensions along the frontier are already high, and indiscriminate actions, especially if civilians get involved, could easily escalate into renewed conflict.

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Cambodia can do on their land as they want.. What Thailand thinks it is is not important and not even done to interfere in another country....But Thailand wants to control everything and everybody, but it can't be done over the borders. And as long Cambodia is not doing anything, Thailand can think the worst, but there is no proof yet.... so why claim rising border tensions.. It is made up by Thailand

hmmmmmmmm ... where's an F-16 when you need one !

On 2/16/2026 at 6:16 PM, snoop1130 said:

Allegations claim Cambodian troops use forest fires tactically along the border.

Thai paranoia again? Nothing more harmless than forest fires ready for the mushroom season!

55 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Thai paranoia again? Nothing more harmless than forest fires ready for the mushroom season!

This.

It's the time of year. It's heating up and the spontaneous combustion of the dry leaf fall in uninhabited forested areas is a regional thing, not a Cambodian border thing. Some of the local TV channels spends at least 20 minutes every morning streaming fresh video from Thai and Cambodian FaceBook pages, interspersed with months-old footage of tanks, burned out PTT stations (again) and F-16's. This morning's special was the Thai navy allegedly chasing Cambodian fishing boats a few days ago, complete with very impressive and well choreographed drone footage.

On 2/16/2026 at 6:33 AM, ikke1959 said:

Cambodia can do on their land as they want.. What Thailand thinks it is is not important and not even done to interfere in another country....But Thailand wants to control everything and everybody, but it can't be done over the borders. And as long Cambodia is not doing anything, Thailand can think the worst, but there is no proof yet.... so why claim rising border tensions.. It is made up by Thailand

Whoa. Look at what you are justifying and defending: Setting forests on fire, creating a natural catastrophe and toxic clouds of smoke. If true, then Cambodia is truly evil and selfish in its antagonism of Thailand.

You do not know if it is a fabricated story. We all know that there is a problem with jungle fires in this region. We also know that Cambodia has a long history of environmental crimes including state sanctioned poaching and destruction of forest areas. The Khmer Rouge financed its campaign of terror through the export of precious stones mined by slave labour, poached endangered animals, and the sale of rare old growth wood. Not much in respect to the callousness and corruption of the Cambodian government has changed since the days of Pol Pot. Maybe the claim is unfounded, but it merits investigation.

Give me another 2-3 weeks I'll be taking forest fires pictures for you deep within Thailand. Please go after the Cambodians but first you need to police your own territory and get this problem under control.

To their credit they've posted and announced over the village intercoms to not burn as of January which has largely been complied with. However this means nothing if even a single forest fire is lit which most assuredly it will be.

Situations like this show how important it is to rely on verified information from official sources before drawing conclusions. Border tensions can lead to speculation, especially on social media. It will be important to see if authorities provide confirmation or clarification, since misunderstandings can increase concern and affect regional stability and public perception.

23 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Whoa. Look at what you are justifying and defending: Setting forests on fire, creating a natural catastrophe and toxic clouds of smoke. If true, then Cambodia is truly evil and selfish in its antagonism of Thailand.

You do not know if it is a fabricated story. We all know that there is a problem with jungle fires in this region. We also know that Cambodia has a long history of environmental crimes including state sanctioned poaching and destruction of forest areas. The Khmer Rouge financed its campaign of terror through the export of precious stones mined by slave labour, poached endangered animals, and the sale of rare old growth wood. Not much in respect to the callousness and corruption of the Cambodian government has changed since the days of Pol Pot. Maybe the claim is unfounded, but it merits investigation.

How many Thai people all over the country are making wildfires every day??? I like to walk around early morning and when I do I see at least at 3 places every day people burn rubbish and leaves or are making charcoal.... A lot of smoke so please don't blame others....And than I won't talk about Thailand and all the forests and illegal buildings they have done.. so please don't blame others while the country here can improve much more...What Cambodia is doing on their soil is theirs.. Thailand should stick at its own

More videos this morning of Thai soldiers learning how to shoot, tanks and APC driver training and Cambodian soldiers moving around a jungle or riding in pickup trucks in flat and open country. Feeds the war like narrative while the national election vote count is still stuck at around 94% complete, ten days after the last vote was count (and a few early ones were annulled).

A while back when Cambodia and Thailand were still exchanging skirmishes, I wanted to book into a hotel with my Thai wife. As I am a resident of Thailand, and according to Thai immigration, all I have to do is present my Thai ID card. I am not required to present my passport to anyone if I have a Thai ID card. However, the receptionist demanded to see my passport. When I asked her why, she said: "We are at war with Cambodia and we have to make sure you're not a spy!". Looky, looky.... I really don't see how a lily-white "farang" in his sixties (me), accompanied with his Thai wife, could be a spy. No one asked my Asian-looking partner to present her passport!!! And my passport doesn't say whether I'm a spy or not. I have come to accept that many Thai people (not all of them) twist and turn, manipulate, lie and embellish to make themselves important or to hide ignorance and naivety. I admit, I have no idea what the fires are about in Cambodia - but neither do those who dramatise it. Thais burn rubbish and grass all day long and all over Thailand. Despite it being illegal, the police do not stop the burning. Let's start within Thailand's own borders and stop illegal burning and then work our way outwards once we have cleaned up our own back yard.

15 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Thai paranoia again? Nothing more harmless than forest fires ready for the mushroom season!

You're clearly not very bright. Forest fires create lots of toxic emissions that can cause respiratory illnesses, obscure visibility and destroy the health and lives of millions. Such fires can potentially also spread to nearby properties and other infrastructure. "Mushroom hunters" who burn forests should be jailed for decades.

13 minutes ago, highrider said:

You're clearly not very bright. Forest fires create lots of toxic emissions that can cause respiratory illnesses, obscure visibility and destroy the health and lives of millions. Such fires can potentially also spread to nearby properties and other infrastructure. "Mushroom hunters" who burn forests should be jailed for decades.

25 years ago the air in Bangkok was unhealthy already.. Thailand wants to make rules for everyone except for themselves...you are the same in your comment.. Look around how many temples and people make wildfires as the RTP is not enforcing the law... So why complain about others

4 hours ago, ZigM said:

A while back when Cambodia and Thailand were still exchanging skirmishes, I wanted to book into a hotel with my Thai wife. As I am a resident of Thailand, and according to Thai immigration, all I have to do is present my Thai ID card. I am not required to present my passport to anyone if I have a Thai ID card. However, the receptionist demanded to see my passport. When I asked her why, she said: "We are at war with Cambodia and we have to make sure you're not a spy!". Looky, looky.... I really don't see how a lily-white "farang" in his sixties (me), accompanied with his Thai wife, could be a spy. No one asked my Asian-looking partner to present her passport!!! And my passport doesn't say whether I'm a spy or not. I have come to accept that many Thai people (not all of them) twist and turn, manipulate, lie and embellish to make themselves important or to hide ignorance and naivety. I admit, I have no idea what the fires are about in Cambodia - but neither do those who dramatise it. Thais burn rubbish and grass all day long and all over Thailand. Despite it being illegal, the police do not stop the burning. Let's start within Thailand's own borders and stop illegal burning and then work our way outwards once we have cleaned up our own back yard.

That wasn't a "while back" it was recently.

Where did this occur? What district or town/city in which province?

You do have to understand though that Thailand is generally becoming stricter with passport/ID checks of foreigners (I don't think this necessarily has much to do with the Thai-Cambodian conflict but it has certainly accelerated this push) partly to ensure that foreigners are in the country legally.

Since the conflict though, foreigners who find themselves in the general vicinity of the Cambodian border (I'd say, anywhere south of highway 24, or east of the Chanthaburi-Sra Kaew highway or anywhere east of Trat city) COULD find themselves asked for a passport and questioned as to what they're doing in the area. Normally, after a quick check, you'll be allowed to go on your way, although some border areas are out of bounds (even to Thais) including the disputed border temples and the Emerald Triangle viewpoint.

With the scam center situation at the Thai- Burmese border, it's similar...they'll randomly ask all foreigners (including Asian foreigners) for their passports when entering and exiting Mae Sot along route 12 (although it's inconsistent...sometimes you won't be asked on entry but will be on exit or vice versa) and you even have to stand in front of your vehicle or if you travel by bus, in front of the bus, holding your passport, which they will photograph. Checks along route 105 between Mae Sot and Tha Song Yang are more casual...if they do ask for your passport (generally at the Mae La refugee camp checkpoint), it won't be photographed (unlike along route 12) and you can get away with showing your Thai driver's license instead. Even more bizarrely, inland route 1175 between Mae Ramad and Ban Tak doesn't allow foreigners to pass at all since January 2025 (or if they are now allowing it again, it must have been quietly permitted without fanfare in recent weeks or months), even if you arrive with your own vehicle, can speak Thai and have nothing to hide.

Yet Thais aren't asked for anything, despite many Thais being kidnapped and forced to work in scam centers, including just in the last few days. There are hardly any westerners in these scam centers and a westerner driving their own car to Mae Sot (or say beyond, to Umphang, which requires one to pass through Mae Sot, since there is no road connecting Umphang with either Sangkhlaburi or Kampaeng Phet) necessitating a long detour via Mae Sot and the mountain pass with 1219 curves is hardly likely to travel there with the intention of working in a scam center. Yet these dimwits think that asking for passports will "solve" the problem of illegal entry.

Some places, north and south of Mae Sot in fact still allow it...and even foreigners are generally permitted to cross, especially if you go with a local. In theory, one could go to Myanmar that way and travel internally to get to one of the scam centers if you wanted. Wouldn't be difficult...not that I recommend it of course!

It's still extremely easy to illegally cross into Myanmar if you know where and nothing much is being done to solve this issue, other than a few routes being closed for the time being for security reasons (including Nong Luang to Waley also known as the "Burmese shortcut").

So yeah, your story about "checking for spies" as an excuse sounds like a ridiculous excuse given by the hotel clerk.

Just now, ikke1959 said:

25 years ago the air in Bangkok was unhealthy already.. Thailand wants to make rules for everyone except for themselves...you are the same in your comment.. Look around how many temples and people make wildfires as the RTP is not enforcing the law... So why complain about others

It is a LOT worse now...although this year, so far, Bangkok's air quality is better than it was last year...though it's too early to pop the champagne corks, since there was definitely bad air quality about a month ago for a week and it's been at best, moderate since then.

I rightfully complain about the ones who CAUSE a big part of the problem. You're living in denial and pretending there isn't an issue.

"Temples making fires" LOL. I've not seen even one temple do that, except when there's a cremation. You must be living in a different Thailand to me...also, those burning forests are clearly harming far more people than someone burning a little bit of trash.

4 hours ago, ZigM said:

A while back when Cambodia and Thailand were still exchanging skirmishes, I wanted to book into a hotel with my Thai wife. As I am a resident of Thailand, and according to Thai immigration, all I have to do is present my Thai ID card. I am not required to present my passport to anyone if I have a Thai ID card. However, the receptionist demanded to see my passport. When I asked her why, she said: "We are at war with Cambodia and we have to make sure you're not a spy!". Looky, looky.... I really don't see how a lily-white "farang" in his sixties (me), accompanied with his Thai wife, could be a spy. No one asked my Asian-looking partner to present her passport!!! And my passport doesn't say whether I'm a spy or not. I have come to accept that many Thai people (not all of them) twist and turn, manipulate, lie and embellish to make themselves important or to hide ignorance and naivety. I admit, I have no idea what the fires are about in Cambodia - but neither do those who dramatise it. Thais burn rubbish and grass all day long and all over Thailand. Despite it being illegal, the police do not stop the burning. Let's start within Thailand's own borders and stop illegal burning and then work our way outwards once we have cleaned up our own back yard.

Secondly, you don't have a "Thai ID" unless you're a Thai citizen, in which case, that's what you would show them. You show your passport in all other cases (unless you're a permanent resident).

Yes, MOST hotels accept Thai drivers licenses in lieu of a passport but already more than 10 years ago, I was occasionally asked to present a passport for check-in at certain hotels in places like Mae Sot and Ubon Ratchathani. Long before any conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and at a time when even the Thai-Myanmar borders were fully open. In the case of Mae Sot, the hotel I stayed only wanted ONE passport for all the members in my group, so I had my friend present his and I didn't have to show anything myself....this happened only after I showed my Thai driver's license, which was rejected. This was in late 2014 by the way.

In December 2019, I spent a night in downtown Ubon on my way from Mae Sot to Laos. I was also asked to present my passport upon check-in, while in Mae Sot, at the usual hotel I stay in, they don't require one and accept a Thai DL. I only stayed at that hotel in 2014 once, because my usual hotel was full.

14 minutes ago, highrider said:

You're clearly not very bright. Forest fires create lots of toxic emissions that can cause respiratory illnesses, obscure visibility and destroy the health and lives of millions. Such fires can potentially also spread to nearby properties and other infrastructure. "Mushroom hunters" who burn forests should be jailed for decades.

With respect, I can assure you I am a very bright Forensic Expert but I was talking from experience living 20 years among the forests of Northern Thailand. Yes, I do know what toxic emissions and fires can sadly cause BUT before the rainy season arrives many thousands of mushroom hunters go into the forests to set light to them ready to gather mushrooms after the rains arrive. It is way of life for them and for the poor, mushrooms mean money. None will ever be arrested and jailed for decades, there are too many of them It is not only Thailand but also a custom in Burma and Laos.

Stock photo of a typical Thai roadside stall selling wild mushrooms gathered after the rains arrived. I have bought many like these during my travels among the forests and mountains of Lanna.

3 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

With respect, I can assure you I am a very bright Forensic Expert but I was talking from experience living 20 years among the forests of Northern Thailand. Yes, I do know what toxic emissions and fires can sadly cause BUT before the rainy season arrives many thousands of mushroom hunters go into the forests to set light to them ready to gather mushrooms after the rains arrive. It is way of life for them and for the poor, mushrooms mean money. None will ever be arrested and jailed for decades, there are too many of them It is not only Thailand but also a custom in Burma and Laos.

Stock photo of a typical Thai roadside stall selling wild mushrooms gathered after the rains arrived. I have bought many like these during my travels among the forests and mountains of Lanna.

You're making excuses because they're "poor".

Poverty isn't an excuse for breaking the law.

These people SHOULD be jailed (small numbers have been, I believe).

They're criminals.

I would never purchase their mushrooms either...for me they're "blood mushrooms".

55 minutes ago, highrider said:

You're making excuses because they're "poor".

Poverty isn't an excuse for breaking the law.

These people SHOULD be jailed (small numbers have been, I believe).

They're criminals.

I would never purchase their mushrooms either...for me they're "blood mushrooms".

NO, I am not making excuses for poverty! IT IS WAY OF LIFE! Take a tour up north and see for your self, rather than making stupid unfounded comments!

\No further comments from me.

22 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

NO, I am not making excuses for poverty! IT IS WAY OF LIFE! Take a tour up north and see for your self, rather than making stupid unfounded comments!

\No further comments from me.

Your comments are beyond stupid.

Again, you're making excuses for poverty...therefore, whatever you say on any topic can be safely ignored.

On 2/18/2026 at 3:10 PM, highrider said:

Secondly, you don't have a "Thai ID" unless you're a Thai citizen, in which case, that's what you would show them. You show your passport in all other cases (unless you're a permanent resident).

Yes, MOST hotels accept Thai drivers licenses in lieu of a passport but already more than 10 years ago, I was occasionally asked to present a passport for check-in at certain hotels in places like Mae Sot and Ubon Ratchathani. Long before any conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and at a time when even the Thai-Myanmar borders were fully open. In the case of Mae Sot, the hotel I stayed only wanted ONE passport for all the members in my group, so I had my friend present his and I didn't have to show anything myself....this happened only after I showed my Thai driver's license, which was rejected. This was in late 2014 by the way.

In December 2019, I spent a night in downtown Ubon on my way from Mae Sot to Laos. I was also asked to present my passport upon check-in, while in Mae Sot, at the usual hotel I stay in, they don't require one and accept a Thai DL. I only stayed at that hotel in 2014 once, because my usual hotel was full.

I understand. You're one of those who make up their own reality to appear to be important. You must be really bored. I have a Thai ID card. My Thai ID card is called a Thai ID card because it is issued by the local Thai authority. They are the ones who called it a "Thai ID card" because it is issued by a Thai authority for use in Thailand. The Thai ID card for foreign temporary residents is also called the Pink ID Card (formally the Identification Card for Foreigner). It is issued to non-Thai nationals with long-term visas who are registered in a yellow house book (Tabien Baan), providing a 13-digit identification number for use in place of a passport for local transactions. I have never heard of permanent residency for a non-Thai in Thailand. As per a lengthy notice issued by Thai Immigration in 2013, the purpose of introducing a "Thai ID card" for foreigners who are temporary residents is to make life more convenient by not having to drag a passport around everywhere. According to Immigration and the local office that issued the "Thai ID card", I can book a hotel, hire a car, open a bank account and do almost everything that a Thai citizen can do, except vote. It was pointed out to me when the card was handed to me that I can now also access various public services. Are you saying that Thai Immigration and local council staff who issued the ID are wrong? Also, when you ramble on about tightened security regarding foreigners, that is a call that only Thai police/Immigration can make. A hotel clerk has no authority whatsoever to make Thai immigration policy or to make up nonsense.

On 2/19/2026 at 3:41 PM, ZigM said:

I understand. You're one of those who make up their own reality to appear to be important. You must be really bored. I have a Thai ID card. My Thai ID card is called a Thai ID card because it is issued by the local Thai authority. They are the ones who called it a "Thai ID card" because it is issued by a Thai authority for use in Thailand. The Thai ID card for foreign temporary residents is also called the Pink ID Card (formally the Identification Card for Foreigner). It is issued to non-Thai nationals with long-term visas who are registered in a yellow house book (Tabien Baan), providing a 13-digit identification number for use in place of a passport for local transactions. I have never heard of permanent residency for a non-Thai in Thailand. As per a lengthy notice issued by Thai Immigration in 2013, the purpose of introducing a "Thai ID card" for foreigners who are temporary residents is to make life more convenient by not having to drag a passport around everywhere. According to Immigration and the local office that issued the "Thai ID card", I can book a hotel, hire a car, open a bank account and do almost everything that a Thai citizen can do, except vote. It was pointed out to me when the card was handed to me that I can now also access various public services. Are you saying that Thai Immigration and local council staff who issued the ID are wrong? Also, when you ramble on about tightened security regarding foreigners, that is a call that only Thai police/Immigration can make. A hotel clerk has no authority whatsoever to make Thai immigration policy or to make up nonsense.

It's NOT a THAI ID!!

It's a non-citizen ID that clearly identifies you as a foreigner.

If it were a Thai ID you'd be a citizen and then it would naturally have to be accepted.

Plenty of foreigners hold permanent residency in Thailand but you aren't one of them. Only 100 foreigners per nationality are eligible per calendar year.

Clearly you're the one living in an alternate reality. The truth is a hotel clerk CAN demand to see your passport as long as you're not either a citizen or permanent resident. They CAN demand to see your passport to do a TM30 and check you haven't overstayed. The enforcement part lies with immigration.

As for opening a bank account with a pink non-citizen ID card alone, good luck! Banks are required to do thorough KYC checks and with a pink NON-citizen ID alone, they won't know your immigration status...theoretically, you could be a tourist who received a pink ID when you were previously on a marriage visa, for example.

On 5/11/2026 at 11:51 PM, highrider said:

It's NOT a THAI ID!!

It's a non-citizen ID that clearly identifies you as a foreigner.

If it were a Thai ID you'd be a citizen and then it would naturally have to be accepted.

Plenty of foreigners hold permanent residency in Thailand but you aren't one of them. Only 100 foreigners per nationality are eligible per calendar year.

Clearly you're the one living in an alternate reality. The truth is a hotel clerk CAN demand to see your passport as long as you're not either a citizen or permanent resident. They CAN demand to see your passport to do a TM30 and check you haven't overstayed. The enforcement part lies with immigration.

As for opening a bank account with a pink non-citizen ID card alone, good luck! Banks are required to do thorough KYC checks and with a pink NON-citizen ID alone, they won't know your immigration status...theoretically, you could be a tourist who received a pink ID when you were previously on a marriage visa, for example.

Wow, so my 'Australian' drivers licenses issued by the various states and territories that I lived in over the years are all wrong because by using the word 'Australian' implies citizenship? My wife had an 'Australian' drivers license (issued by the ACT and then NSW) long before she became an Australian. The same goes for my now expired Korean driver's license. It used the word 'Korean' but I'm not Korean and never was. The same goes for my German driver's license and identification card. It's got 'Germany' plastered all over it (see samples attached). Does that mean I'm German? Regardless of nationality, calling the Thai ID card a 'Thai' ID card does not imply citizenship. The issuing Thai authority and Thai immigration called it that because it is issued by a Thai authority for use in Thailand. The ID already states that I'm a 'non-Thai'. Also, it's pink instead of blue. Please read this: https://www.<removed>.com/thai-pink-id-for-foreigners-in-thailand/ and here: https://ask.in.th/question/what-benefits-and-rights-does-a-thai-pink-id-card-offer-to-a-foreigner-married-to-a-thai-citizen. Regarding those hotels that requested my passport in lieu of the 'pink' Thai ID card, I rely on government issued statements (and from advice obtained directly from immigration) that the pink Thai ID card essentially replaces the need to carry a passport around. The excuse that the hotel's software is not yet linked to government servers is not my concern. One of the reasons, according to the Thai government statement issued a decade ago, was to make an ex-pats' stay easier without risk of losing their passport or have it stolen. The government decree that I read states that I can book a national flight, check into a hotel and even open a bank account with my pink Thai ID card alone. Any organisation that hasn't implemented government initiatives to date is at fault - not me. My 13-digits are to be entered into the system like any other Thai ID card, regardless of colour. Therefore, if I ever travel the world again, I will correctly refer to my Australian, German and Thai ID cards as just that. I'm also fully health insured through the Civil Servant Medical Benefits Scheme (CSMBS). Although reception at the local hospital have posters everywhere that foreigners have to present both pink Thai ID cards and passports, when I went there a few weeks ago, I was informed that I only needed to present my 'pink' Thai ID card whereas Bangkok hospital had a separate line for foreigners. They didn't even look at my 'pink' Thai ID. They just wanted my passport and treated me as a tourist. I paid handsomely for that whereas the public hospital was essentially free. No hassles - no issues. But they also eventually realised that the dozen or so posters requiring me to present my passport were wrong and outdated. No one has ever referred to my ID card as 'pink' or made references to how they think it should be called. Those who accept my ID card merely refer to it as a Thai ID card.

On 5/13/2026 at 12:17 PM, ZigM said:

Wow, so my 'Australian' drivers licenses issued by the various states and territories that I lived in over the years are all wrong because by using the word 'Australian' implies citizenship? My wife had an 'Australian' drivers license (issued by the ACT and then NSW) long before she became an Australian. The same goes for my now expired Korean driver's license. It used the word 'Korean' but I'm not Korean and never was. The same goes for my German driver's license and identification card. It's got 'Germany' plastered all over it (see samples attached). Does that mean I'm German? Regardless of nationality, calling the Thai ID card a 'Thai' ID card does not imply citizenship. The issuing Thai authority and Thai immigration called it that because it is issued by a Thai authority for use in Thailand. The ID already states that I'm a 'non-Thai'. Also, it's pink instead of blue. Please read this: https://www.<removed>.com/thai-pink-id-for-foreigners-in-thailand/ and here: https://ask.in.th/question/what-benefits-and-rights-does-a-thai-pink-id-card-offer-to-a-foreigner-married-to-a-thai-citizen. Regarding those hotels that requested my passport in lieu of the 'pink' Thai ID card, I rely on government issued statements (and from advice obtained directly from immigration) that the pink Thai ID card essentially replaces the need to carry a passport around. The excuse that the hotel's software is not yet linked to government servers is not my concern. One of the reasons, according to the Thai government statement issued a decade ago, was to make an ex-pats' stay easier without risk of losing their passport or have it stolen. The government decree that I read states that I can book a national flight, check into a hotel and even open a bank account with my pink Thai ID card alone. Any organisation that hasn't implemented government initiatives to date is at fault - not me. My 13-digits are to be entered into the system like any other Thai ID card, regardless of colour. Therefore, if I ever travel the world again, I will correctly refer to my Australian, German and Thai ID cards as just that. I'm also fully health insured through the Civil Servant Medical Benefits Scheme (CSMBS). Although reception at the local hospital have posters everywhere that foreigners have to present both pink Thai ID cards and passports, when I went there a few weeks ago, I was informed that I only needed to present my 'pink' Thai ID card whereas Bangkok hospital had a separate line for foreigners. They didn't even look at my 'pink' Thai ID. They just wanted my passport and treated me as a tourist. I paid handsomely for that whereas the public hospital was essentially free. No hassles - no issues. But they also eventually realised that the dozen or so posters requiring me to present my passport were wrong and outdated. No one has ever referred to my ID card as 'pink' or made references to how they think it should be called. Those who accept my ID card merely refer to it as a Thai ID card.

WHATABOUTISM...

Again, an Australian driver's license doesn't imply citizenship. Australia doesn't even issue national ID cards.

A Thai driver's license doesn't imply citizenship. A Thai ID DOES.

Either refer to it as a pink ID card or non-citizen ID card from now...which is exactly what it says on the front in the Thai language.

A "Thai ID" is ONLY for Thai citizens. It refers to a national ID card.

In 2024, the rules were tightened to require a passport for foreigners to board domestic flights. Sure, a pink ID or a Thai driver's license should still be accepted, but the wording is such that it implies that they want to see a passport and only if you're unable to show your passport can one of these two documents be used instead. Some airlines won't accept a pink ID and only a passport or Thai driver's license.

Hotels want to see your passport to do a TM30. Many hotels don't bother and you can get away with showing either a pink ID or driver's license (the latter is better, since you're a foreigner and a Thai license is bilingual showing your name in English as per your passport, whereas a pink ID is only in Thai).

However, there is nowhere that states a foreigner can comfortably use a pink ID instead of a passport. Many agencies will allow it, but more and more are wanting to sight a passport. This depends entirely on what you're trying to accomplish. To open a bank account, you'll 100% need your passport and to accomplish certain banking tasks, your passport will need to be sighted as well. A pink ID doesn't show the bank what type of visa you're on...hence why they want to see your passport.

On 5/20/2026 at 2:47 PM, highrider said:

WHATABOUTISM...

Again, an Australian driver's license doesn't imply citizenship. Australia doesn't even issue national ID cards. WHAT DO YOU MEAN WITH 'AGAIN'? I NEVER, EVER SAID THAT AN AUSTRALIAN DL IMPLIES CITIZENSHIP. READ MY COMMENT(S).

A Thai driver's license doesn't imply citizenship. A Thai ID DOES. I ALSO NEVER, EVER SAID THAT A THAI DL IMPLIES CITIZENSHIP. READ MY COMMENT(S). HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THIS STUFF - BOREDOM? WHAT I MERELY SAID WAS THAT THAI AUTHORITIES HAVE REFERRED TO MY 'PINK' ID THAI CARD AS A THAI ID WITHOUT FURTHER QUALIFICATION OR AD-ONS AND THAT THAT IS HOW I REFER TO IT. THEN YOU COME ALONG AND WANT TO BE THE BIG EDUCATOR. YOU DON'T READ MY COMMENTS BUT IMPLY IN YOUR RESPONSES THAT I MEANT SOMETHING CONTRARY TO WHAT I ACTUALLY WROTE.

Either refer to it as a pink ID card or non-citizen ID card from now...which is exactly what it says on the front in the Thai language. NO. I WILL REFER TO IT AS THE ISSUING THAI AUTHORITY REFERRED TO IT TO ME, WHICH IS A "THAI ID CARD". I WILL ALSO REFER TO IT AS THAI IMMIGRATION REFERRED TO IT TO ME, WHICH IS A "THAI ID CARD". THEIR ABBREVIATED CHOICE OF WORDS IS PROBABLY OUT OF CONVENIENCE AND TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THEY WANT TO SEE IDENTIFICATION ISSUED BY A THAI AUTHORITY. IN THE CASE OF IMMIGRATION, THEY WANTED TO SEE BOTH MY PASSPORT AND THAI ID CARD WHEN CHANGING MY ADDRESS. THEY ALSO WANTED TO SEE MY YELLOW BOOK. THEY MOST LIKELY DON'T WANT TO SEE AN ID ISSUED BY A FOREIGN AUTHORITY. BUT I SHAN'T SECOND GUESS THEIR MOTIVES. IF THAI IMMIGRATION START TO REFER TO MY THAI ID CARD AS A PINK ID CARD OR NON-CITIZEN ID CARD, THEN SO WILL I. UNTIL THEN, IT'S A THAI ID CARD TO ME AND THEM.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, WHO ARE YOU TO DIRECT ME TO REFER TO MY THAI ID CARD DIFFERENTLY TO HOW THAI OFFICIALS REFER TO IT? PERHAPS GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE, HIGHRIDER!

A "Thai ID" is ONLY for Thai citizens. It refers to a national ID card. WHOOPEE, WE ALREADY KNOW THAT. SEE MY PREVIOUS SENTENCE ABOVE. THE REASON THAI AUTHORITIES REFER TO MY PINK THAI ID CARD AS MERELY A THAI ID IS PROBABLY OUT OF CONVENIENCE AND BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW WHAT IS MEANT. SIMILARLY WITH AN AUSTRALIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE. IT IS REFERRED TO AS AN AUSTRALIAN DL BECAUSE IT IS VALID THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA BUT IT IS NOT ISSUED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. IT IS ISSUED BY AN AUSTRALIAN STATE OR TERRITORY AUTHORITY, YET IT IS VALID THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA AS A DL AND AS IDENTIFICATION WITHOUT IMPLYING CITIZENSHIP.

THIS WILL BE MY LAST INTERACTION WITH YOU. NO NEED TO REPLY.

On 5/22/2026 at 6:42 AM, ZigM said:

On 5/20/2026 at 11:47 AM, highrider said:

On 5/22/2026 at 6:42 AM, ZigM said:

On 5/20/2026 at 11:47 AM, highrider said:

Wow. Another angry, pedantic, entitled farang.

Again, the Thai authorities refer to it as a NON-CITIZEN ID card.

It is NOT and NEVER WAS a "Thai ID". Yes, it is issued by the Thai government, but may I repeat it for the LAST TIME:

It is a NON-CITIZEN ID card aka Pink ID.

Refer to it as one or the other.