Thai drivers License no longer accepted

[Baerboxer]

20 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I seriously doubt that. In all the years I have been here, on the few occasions the toy police have asked for my ID, my Thai drivers license, or my color copy of my passport has ALWAYS been satisfactory to them. I do not buy into hysteria. One guys posts, and says carrying the passport around is necessary. BS. Is this nazi Germany? Sorry sir, I refuse to carry my papers!

 

No, it's nothing like Nazi Germany or the socialist people's republics for that matter.

 

I don't carry mine. But applying common sense and "refusing" are too different things. I was asked for my passport at the police station when involved in a traffic accident. I handed over my DL instead - no problem. Keep polite rather than refusing.

I do know someone who got carted off and stuck in a cell for a few hours waiting for someone to get her PP. But she almost certainly rubbed them up the wrong way!

[Chongalulu]

8 hours ago, dave_boo said:

I'm another that carries my passport and uses it.

 

How is carrying a passport any more of a hassle than carrying an id or license?

See the difference in aggravation should you have to replace a lost passport vs a Thai driving licence.

only on Monday I used my Driver licence in kasikorn Phimai to do a transaction. 

[starboy]

I had the same when I wanted to visit my safe deposit box. They sent me away although we have the box already 10 years, to get my passport. I complained,  sent several mails, but they said it are the rules now. I told them that if rules change they have to inform their customers, a bit of service doesn't hurt anyone. But we are foreigners so......

[Wake Up]

13 hours ago, NUUM said:

I always ask to see the tellers id when I make a deposit...

I always do a minimum one hour surveillance of the alleged bank employee, qoogle the requirements of working at the bank as an employee, then ask the teller for her id, secretly take her fingerprints and compare the fingerprints to her prints the last time I was in the bank,  and take a photo of her and all the bank employees. Never had a problem with a fake bank employee yet but always aware and on the look out for any bank teller fraudulent activity. Can’t be too careful.  55555

 

?

[thrilled]

I opened an account with Kasikorn 10 years ago.Needed to show passport only.I never carry my passport but have A copy if they ever want to see it.

[kwilco]

why were you driving around without legal ID?

[LukKrueng]

I haven't withdraw from the bank in the past couple of months (use atm), but they never asked for an id if in my branch, only if different branch. moreover, the branch I have an account with used to be a sub branch at the time I opened the account. I happened to withdraw money from the actual branch without showing any id many times. One time I was asked for an id at the branch and I asked why do I have to show it as my account is in their sub branch. They said the sub branch got "promoted" to be a full branch, but still were willing to give me the money. Oh, the account is at kbank

[bandito]

19 hours ago, jossthaifarang said:

Well it has your full name, passport number and picture on it, that's all the information they need. Why wouldn't they accept it??

 

Because when you get a new passport you also have a new passport number and the passport nr on your DL is then invalid.

That's the reason.

[gk10002000]

20 hours ago, dave_boo said:

I'm another that carries my passport and uses it.

 

How is carrying a passport any more of a hassle than carrying an id or license?

Well, it is a bigger document and not wallet sized, and a very very much more important document.  Many people greatly prefer to keep it under secure lock and key except when absolutely needed.

 

   I wonder if they would accept a color photocopy of the ID pages of the passport

[bandito]

1 minute ago, gk10002000 said:

Well, it is a bigger document and not wallet sized, and a very very much more important document.  Many people greatly prefer to keep it under secure lock and key except when absolutely needed.

 

   I wonder if they would accept a color photocopy of the ID pages of the passport

 

They do not.

Happened to me.

Show original passport.

[jossthaifarang]

2 hours ago, bandito said:

 

Because when you get a new passport you also have a new passport number and the passport nr on your DL is then invalid.

That's the reason.

Bank does not update your passport number until you call the call center or walk in and tell them you have a new one, the old one stays on record. You think your Thai bank has a direct link to your home countries ministry of home affairs, to know immediately you have a new passport?

[orientalist]

Everyone's experience with banks seems to be different. I've never had any luck using a DL at Kasikorn, Thanachart, CIMB or Krung Thai. At an LH Bank branch other than my own recently I asked about this and they said it depends what ID you used when applying for the account. Then after a few moments the teller said,  "you can register your pink ID card with us now and use that." Go figure!

[Kwasaki]

On 6/6/2018 at 10:45 AM, Classic Ray said:

My Thai driving licences include my UK passport number in the information on the card. I have always used that to prove ID although I have been asked for passport as well on occasions. 

Not everybody !!  my 5 year Thai DL's has my given Thai ID number from my yellow book.

Many people living in Thailand usually know that rules and guide lines of banks and other institutions do things different also get changed, an inconvenience at times but that's the way it is.

[Kwasaki]

On 6/7/2018 at 5:16 AM, bandito said:

 

Because when you get a new passport you also have a new passport number and the passport nr on your DL is then invalid.

That's the reason.

Not always the case. ?

[Just1Voice]

I've been going to the same local Bangkok Bank branch for 10 years.  The only time I need to show ANY type of ID is when I need a new bank book, and for that I naturally take my passport.  One time about 4-5 years back, I went to the counter to do a deposit, a new girl asked for my passport.  The one sitting next to her quickly touched her arm and told her - Khun Dean.  Don't need.  The girl apologized and treated me like a VIP after that.  Occasionally I have had to use a different branch on the weekends, but they know me there as well, and happily take my pink Thai ID for ID purposes. At one time I had a Kasikorn account, but didn't like their attitudes so I close it after just a couple of months.

 

[rungsi]

On 6/6/2018 at 11:17 AM, spidermike007 said:

The only time I carry my original passport around, is when I am leaving the country, or have lost my ATM card or bank book, and need to get them replaced. Any other time, the DL and a color copy of my passport seems to be fine, along with my ATM card. I refuse to carry my original passport for anyone. Not gonna happen. 

Exactly what I did  and do the last 10 years. A color copy of my home address paper is useful too (for police check).

[jimster]

On 6/6/2018 at 9:06 AM, dave_boo said:

I'm another that carries my passport and uses it.

 

How is carrying a passport any more of a hassle than carrying an id or license?

Easy. Because it's much bigger and doesn't fit into a wallet (unlike an ID card or license, which are both credit card sized) not to mention the major costs and inconvenience of replacing a stolen passport. Depending on your nationality, a new passport can cost 10,000 Baht or more plus there's travel costs involved (if you live in Bangkok or nearby it's not that bad, but imagine you're in Chiang Rai?) you'll need to get a police report, get your visa/entry stamp replaced at immigration.

 

Having said all that, I will carry my passport if there's a chance I will need it for some business that day. If I'm sure I won't need it I don't bring it. A photocopy is also useful to carry around and should be accepted in case you forgot to bring along your actual passport.

[travelling wilbury]

On 6/5/2018 at 6:15 PM, Capealava said:

Pattaya Branch Suhkumvit and Beach road, 2 banks

What do you expect in pattaya

[dave_boo]

21 hours ago, jimster said:

Easy. Because it's much bigger and doesn't fit into a wallet (unlike an ID card or license, which are both credit card sized) not to mention the major costs and inconvenience of replacing a stolen passport. Depending on your nationality, a new passport can cost 10,000 Baht or more plus there's travel costs involved (if you live in Bangkok or nearby it's not that bad, but imagine you're in Chiang Rai?) you'll need to get a police report, get your visa/entry stamp replaced at immigration.

 

Having said all that, I will carry my passport if there's a chance I will need it for some business that day. If I'm sure I won't need it I don't bring it. A photocopy is also useful to carry around and should be accepted in case you forgot to bring along your actual passport.

I understand what you are saying in regards to hassle if your passport is lost or stolen (does this really happen as I don't know anyone who had a passport stolen).

 

I've had a government id of some sort for 25 years (a moped license at 14 was the first). I've had passports for 22 years. I've lost 3 credit card sized ids and exactly 0 passports in that time (don't ask how many bank cards also). Add in the extended length of validity for a passport and it's been much cheaper. 

 

In fact if it wasn't for needing a driver's license I would just stick to the passport as my id. 

 

This of course is only applicable to me; your experiences may differ; special terms and conditions may apply.

[cracker1]

If you get treated badly by a service provider protest with your feet and take your business to another.

[The Deerhunter]

On 6/5/2018 at 10:21 PM, asiaexpat said:

Over more than 10 years of dealing with various Thailand banks in Bangkok I have never been able to use either my DL or Pink ID card to make a counter withdrawal or get a new bankbook. They have always required my actual passport and then make a copy that I must sign. That copy is attached to the withdrawal/bankbook renewal document.  

My understanding is that very recently there have been a spate of rip offs by bank staff in various banks of foreigners and all the banks have adopted new rules to protect themselves.  I was told this in my own local bank with some embarrassment by the staff.