Which ID Types are Needed

[AAArdvark]

Unmarried and non-Thai speaking.  What types of IDs are required or useful?  I will not be driving, so the pain in the butt driver's license won't be needed.  It seems that I will need a Residency Certificate to accomplish much of anything.  Other than a precursor for a pink ID card, what else would I need a Yellow Book for?  I know I need the Residency Cert to open a bank account but why else would I need it?  Why would I need an ID card (or a DL) other than possibly not having to carry around a passport?   What form of ID does a bank require to access an already opened account?

[jacko45k]

5 hours ago, AAArdvark said:

Why would I need an ID card (or a DL) other than possibly not having to carry around a passport?   What form of ID does a bank require to access an already opened account?

Usually the bank wants the passbook and your passport. Although you seem to not need a Thai driving licence I do find it useful as an ID and a substitute for carrying a passport around. I haven't got any of this pink card or yellow book stuff, and a Residence Letter from immigration is usually issued for a specific reason like getting a driving licence, renewing one, getting a bank account etc, and beyond that not much use as an ID. 

 

Many like to carry little laminated copies of their passport and entry stamp/etc in their wallets but I never seem to need one, rarely asked for any ID. Checking into hotels and banking business is the only time and for that I slip the passport in my pocket.

[AAArdvark]

If I understand correctly, a driver's license has your passport number on it someplace.  Does a pink card also have your passport number on it somewhere.  I thought that a pink card might be easier than a drivers license to get, no medical check, training or test required.

[mtls2005]

5 hours ago, AAArdvark said:

What form of ID does a bank require to access an already opened account?

 

I mean other than online access and ATM access I am always required to produce my original passport when doing anything at SCB and Bangkok Bank in person, say like getting a new passbook, getting a new credit card or ATM card or sorting out any issues. I do not believe that I would be allowed to do anything with just my Thai DL's, regardless of the numbering scheme.

 

No clue what you mean by "access" but suspect you'd need the passport, the passbook (unless lost) and the ATM card (unless lost).

[wgdanson]

1 hour ago, AAArdvark said:

If I understand correctly, a driver's license has your passport number on it someplace.  Does a pink card also have your passport number on it somewhere.  I thought that a pink card might be easier than a drivers license to get, no medical check, training or test required.

You think a Pink Card is easier than a Driving Licence. You must have a Yellow Book before a Pink Card. My Amphoe told me that I must be MARRIED to get one. I know that's a load of b....cks, but he was adamant, and wanted divorce papers from UK, translated into Thai, even though I told him I had never been married. Go for the Driving Licence.

[jackdd]

The only thing that's needed is a passport, everything else is optional

If you want to get a drivers license or register a vehicle in your name you need a certificate of residence (or a yellow book with your name in it)