strange pink card experience

[soalbundy]

I was with the missus at the Amphoer yesterday so by chance I asked about the pink card ID. The head of the Amphoer (blad) told me it is better not to have one, apparently foreigners are divided into 5 classes, falang have the highest class 5, the rest are for Cambodian, Burmese and other migrant workers from either Asia or Africa which is why the ID cards were made in the first place. I would fall down a class if issued with a pink ID and all the info on their files would have to be migrated to this class, they weren't meant for falangs who live here she said as they are already registered. When I mentioned that it would seem that a lot of falang have them she just shrugged and said it isn't really meant for them and serves no purpose.

[elviajero]

They were correct about the history of the ID card, but the rest just sounds like personal bigotry.

 

There is little advantage to having an ID card, but there is no downside.

[KhunBENQ]

The yellow book (which I got easily) was of some value like serving a proof of residence of the motor office and when opening new bank account.

Didn't need a proof of residence since many years.

 

Hard to say how much of value the pink card is.

Indeed it is not designed very useful (name only in Thai script e.g.) and was not meant for "expats".

It says in Thai that I must not leave the district(!) without permission

But who cares as long as I have a passport (which Burmese slave workers usually didn't have).

Merchants are happy to have something in Thai to write a bill/receipt or the like.

 

[worgeordie]

Anyone use the Pink ID card to exchange notes at Bank or Money exchanges,

or do they insist on the passport ?

regards worgeordie 

[sumrit]

3 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Anyone use the Pink ID card to exchange notes at Bank or Money exchanges,

or do they insist on the passport ?

regards worgeordie 

Yes, I have. My daughter brought cash with her when she came in April. I changed some for her at the Kasikorn and some at Krung Thai, both at Central in Chonburi. Also changed some at a Kasikorn bank in Bangkok but can't remember where it was. Used just my Pink ID card for all three.

[jumbo]

32 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Anyone use the Pink ID card to exchange notes at Bank or Money exchanges,

or do they insist on the passport ?

regards worgeordie 

me, at arrival bangkok both airports, no hassle

[CharlieH]

Just another example of inconsistency around the country/provinces.

 

Par for the course it would seem????

[berybert]

I used my expired passport copy to change money at a booth at Asoke not long ago.

[fourpack]

This will never go away will the I hate pinko card lovers v the I like pinko card lovers.

First response

3 hours ago, elviajero said:

They were correct about the history of the ID card, but the rest just sounds like personal bigotry.

 

There is little advantage to having an ID card, but there is no downside.

Little advantage that's your perspective of course.

 

20 minutes ago, jumbo said:

me, at arrival bangkok both airports, no hassle

There's one advantage and yes you could use Passport. As jumbo had it anyway.

I have used pink card for money exchange. Banking. Proof of address within and outside Thailand with it translated of course. Booking into hotels always. (But the "those days are numbered" lovers will be jumping on this????. Even used it at Nong Khao border post as officer says he couldn't read my writing on TM6 or understand my pigeon Thai. Handed him I'd happy as Larry.

So it will be a constant

No point

Yes point 

Forever.

Simple solution if you don't like it or don't want it skip passed the post let those who have it and use it answer the op. 

 

[jackdd]

16 minutes ago, fourpack said:

I have used pink card for money exchange. Banking. Proof of address within and outside Thailand with it translated of course. Booking into hotels always. (But the "those days are numbered" lovers will be jumping on this????. Even used it at Nong Khao border post as officer says he couldn't read my writing on TM6 or understand my pigeon Thai. Handed him I'd happy as Larry.

If they accepted your pink id card they would also have accepted your Thai driving license. So these were bald examples if you want to show that a pink id card is useful.

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, elviajero said:

They were correct about the history of the ID card, but the rest just sounds like personal bigotry.

 

There is little advantage to having an ID card, but there is no downside.

Not sure about that, many TV members have shared they have used the card as an ID at airline check-in and/or at the boarding gate.

 

Here in CM I'm aware of 3 TV members who produced the card at check-in and it wasn't accepted and after some discussion an airline supervisor appeared and explained that the pink card could not be accepted because it says clearly, on the back, that the holder is not allowed to move more than 35 (that number needs checking) kilometers away from the place of issue.

 

The airline supervisor also said that knowing the card holder was about to travel a lot further than the 35? K mentioned on the card the airline was concerned that it might be accused by the authorities of accepting something which is not appropriate as an ID for longer distance travel.  

 

It seems that this explanation has been given several times. 

 

Some TV members have said the back of their pink card doesn't say anything about travel being restricted to a specific number of kilometers away from the place of issue. I have PR and I have a pink card (issued at the main amphur office for muang Chiang Mai).  and it does mention that the holder cannot travel more than 35? away from the place of issue.

 

In Bkk I know a Thai lawyer who is very knowledgeable about such matters, he has checked with the ministry involved who say the wording on the back is absolutely standard for all pink cards.  He's also mentioned that the ministry knows that the pink card currently used for foreigners needs to be revised on several points.

 

 

[kokesaat]

My experience, having had the pink card for many years, is that Thais treat me better when they see the card.  Police, banks, airports.  When I'm asked for my passport, I show my pink ID and that usually does the trick.

 

[sumrit]

14 minutes ago, jackdd said:

If they accepted your pink id card they would also have accepted your Thai driving license.

Not true. Thai Driving licences may occasionally be accepted but not very often these days.

 

[elviajero]

15 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Not sure about that, many TV members have shared they have used the card as an ID at airline check-in and/or at the boarding gate.

 

Here in CM I'm aware of 3 TV members who produced the card at check-in and it wasn't accepted and after some discussion an airline supervisor appeared and explained that the pink card could not be accepted because it says clearly, on the back, that the holder is not allowed to move more than 35 (that number needs checking) kilometers away from the place of issue.

 

The airline supervisor also said that knowing the card holder was about to travel a lot further than the 35? K mentioned on the card the airline was concerned that it might be accused by the authorities of accepting something which is not appropriate as an ID for longer distance travel.  

 

It seems that this explanation has been given several times. 

 

Some TV members have said the back of their pink card doesn't say anything about travel being restricted to a specific number of kilometers away from the place of issue. I have PR and I have a pink card (issued at the main amphur office for muang Chiang Mai).  and it does mention that the holder cannot travel more than 35? away from the place of issue.

 

In Bkk I know a Thai lawyer who is very knowledgeable about such matters, he has checked with the ministry involved who say the wording on the back is absolutely standard for all pink cards.  He's also mentioned that the ministry knows that the pink card currently used for foreigners needs to be revised on several points.

Interesting, I wasn’t aware of the airline restriction.

 

There is a plan to introduce ID style cards to expats which will include their visa status etc. No idea when that’ll happen as it’s been talked about for ages, but IMO it would be a better option than the pink ID card that isn’t really meant for expat use.

[sumrit]

24 minutes ago, elviajero said:

There is a plan to introduce ID style cards to expats which will include their visa status etc. No idea when that’ll happen as it’s been talked about for ages, but IMO it would be a better option than the pink ID card that isn’t really meant for expat use.

Got to agree with that. Would be a very good move.......if it ever gets off the ground.

[drbeach]

Although the pink ID card doesn't do much (for anyone) it would be good if it could be issued to everyone and made more useful than it currently is.

 

Getting discriminated in relation to Thais is one thing but I can't stand the idea of Thais categorizing foreigners based on nationality or race. That's just not on.

 

If Burmese can get a pink ID card so should we. What's so special about Burmese anyway?

 

Also, there are definitely no African migrant workers in Thailand and they are treated the same as westerners.

[drbeach]

42 minutes ago, sumrit said:

Not true. Thai Driving licences may occasionally be accepted but not very often these days.

 

Driving licenses are usually accepted except where the individual/authority needs to see your passport stamps or visa. I wonder how it works for Singaporeans and HK citizens using the autogates though as no stamps appear in their passport.

[jayboy]

41 minutes ago, kokesaat said:

My experience, having had the pink card for many years, is that Thais treat me better when they see the card.  Police, banks, airports.  When I'm asked for my passport, I show my pink ID and that usually does the trick.

 

That sums it up quite well -  "usually does the trick." That's certainly my experience but there are occasions when it doesn't. The trouble is that until it's universally accepted/understood, "usually does the trick" isn't good enough. Most people will need a backup, for instance DL or passport if the task in hand is critical eg signing documents at a bank or government office.

 

I think the situation is getting better particularly on internal flights where after initial puzzlement, I haven't had any problems for some time in presenting the pink card at security.But for the time being I also carry other ID (see above).

 

I note however on this forum there are still those pink card holders who get stroppy and defensive if there's a suggestion the pink card isn't quite yet the Thailand version of Willy Wonka's golden ticket.

 

 

[jackdd]

11 minutes ago, drbeach said:

Getting discriminated in relation to Thais is one thing but I can't stand the idea of Thais categorizing foreigners based on nationality or race. That's just not on.

 

If Burmese can get a pink ID card so should we. What's so special about Burmese anyway?

Because of the travel restriction which is written on the back of the card, i'm quite sure that these cards were introduced for people who came into Thailand to seek asylum and who couldn't get any other identification document.

I don't see why you anybody would feel discriminated just because he can't get the same card as a person who had to flee from his home.

[sumrit]

3 minutes ago, drbeach said:

Although the pink ID card doesn't do much (for anyone) it would be good if it could be issued to everyone and made more useful than it currently is.

For those of us who already have one, we probably use it almost as much as a Thai National does. It's certainly more readily recognised and accepted now than is was a few years ago.

 

Ask your wife/partner how often she's needed to use hers in the past and what she needed it for then ask yourself how much that compares with you using the foreigner version and what you would use it for. My daughter did this exercise at University and compared herself, my wife and me. The amount we each used them and what we used them for were similar for each of us. 

[sumrit]

4 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Because of the travel restriction which is written on the back of the card, i'm quite sure that these cards were introduced for people who came into Thailand to seek asylum and who couldn't get any other identification document.

That is why the pink card was introduced and that is why the restriction is on the back.

 

6 minutes ago, jackdd said:

I don't see why you anybody would feel discriminated just because he can't get the same card as a person who had to flee from his home.

But we are issued with the same card at the moment and, no, I for one, don't feel discriminated against when using it, it's helpful. 

 

Personally, I find the card very useful For me it's the CONVENIENCE that's the key.

[jackdd]

9 minutes ago, sumrit said:

Ask your wife/partner how often she's needed to use hers in the past and what she needed it for then ask yourself how much that compares with you using the foreigner version and what you would use it for. My daughter did this exercise at University and compared herself, my wife and me. The amount we each used them and what we used them for were similar for each of us. 

In all these situations you could have used your passport instead, it would have worked in the same way. And in nearly all of these cases you could also have used a Thai driving license. A Thai could also use his passport in these cases, no Thai ID card required.

If any task specifically requires a Thai ID card (because they have to put it in their card reader), then this task is not possible with a pink id card, because it doesn't have a chip.

[sumrit]

16 minutes ago, jackdd said:

In all these situations you could have used your passport instead, it would have worked in the same way. And in nearly all of these cases you could also have used a Thai driving license. A Thai could also use his passport in these cases, no Thai ID card required.

If any task specifically requires a Thai ID card (because they have to put it in their card reader), then this task is not possible with a pink id card, because it doesn't have a chip.

I will repeat again it's CONVENIENCE and time saving. Tell me, why would I want to continue carrying my passport round with me and risk getting it worn and damaged when I have a more convenient option with a credit size piece of plastic that's much more durable?

 

You can't use a Thai Driving Licence to open a bank account, register a sim card renew a driving licence or (if you include a yellow book) prove your address when extending your stay with Immigration and buy a car/motorcycle to same just a few of many examples.

 

And finally ask how many Thai Nationals would prefer using their passport instead of their ID Card.

[Myran]

A guy I studied with a while back pulled out one of these cards in an apparent effort to "impress" the Thai people present at a dinner with his "Thai ID card". They all proceeded to laugh their guts out at him, proclaiming: "That's the card the Burmese immigrants have!"

[Nong Khai Man]

2 hours ago, kokesaat said:

My experience, having had the pink card for many years, is that Thais treat me better when they see the card.  Police, banks, airports.  When I'm asked for my passport, I show my pink ID and that usually does the trick.

 

My experience, having had the pink card for many years, is that Thais treat me better when they see the card. Are YOU Serious ???

[Greyhat]

I still want one but I don't have a yellow book.

[drbeach]

2 hours ago, jackdd said:

Because of the travel restriction which is written on the back of the card, i'm quite sure that these cards were introduced for people who came into Thailand to seek asylum and who couldn't get any other identification document.

I don't see why you anybody would feel discriminated just because he can't get the same card as a person who had to flee from his home.

Who said they fled from their homes? They voluntarily came from their homes to work here because 300 Baht a day is better than the 100-200 Baht they get back home.

 

I don't see why one group of foreigners should get a card but not another group of foreigners. Except the travel distance restriction which may be a good explanation. Still, a piece of paper would do the job just as well.

 

Also, an ID card like the pink one is similar to what many other countries automatically give ALL foreigners not just a select group. Philippines and Korea are two such countries. An ID card is definitely much easier to carry around than a passport. I also don't like people constantly asking for my passport, but I wouldn't have a problem if they asked for my ID.

[drbeach]

56 minutes ago, Myran said:

A guy I studied with a while back pulled out one of these cards in an apparent effort to "impress" the Thai people present at a dinner with his "Thai ID card". They all proceeded to laugh their guts out at him, proclaiming: "That's the card the Burmese immigrants have!"

That's just stupid. In other countries all foreigners get such an ID card and nobody laughs at them. These Thai people at dinner have something wrong with them.

 

And besides, what's wrong with Burmese laborers? Why should westerners be considered "better" than them to warrant such a bizarre and baseless reaction?

[jackdd]

2 minutes ago, drbeach said:

Who said they fled from their homes? They voluntarily came from their homes to work here because 300 Baht a day is better than the 100-200 Baht they get back home.

 

I don't see why one group of foreigners should get a card but not another group of foreigners. Except the distance restriction which may be a good explanation. Still, a piece of paper would do the job just as well.

Why do you think that Burmese who come to Thailand for work have a pink id card?

I'm quite sure that the majority of them doesn't have it.

[drbeach]

2 hours ago, sumrit said:

For those of us who already have one, we probably use it almost as much as a Thai National does. It's certainly more readily recognised and accepted now than is was a few years ago.

 

Ask your wife/partner how often she's needed to use hers in the past and what she needed it for then ask yourself how much that compares with you using the foreigner version and what you would use it for. My daughter did this exercise at University and compared herself, my wife and me. The amount we each used them and what we used them for were similar for each of us. 

OK that is good to know. Having said that Thais never need to prove their nationality when they go to a national park in order to avail themselves of the Thai price. i guess you are referring to checking into hotels (can be done with a driver's license too), making transactions and anywhere that ID is requested but a passport and visa not expressly required. I'm sure it's the same with Burmese migrant workers - they would be required to show their passports and visas for some things but not others.