witness for yellow tabian ban / pink id card

[vursas]

I'm looking into getting the yellow tabian ban for my condo in Bangkok (and pink id afterward). Planning to do it in Sathon District Office.

I understand I need to bring 2 witnesses. My girlfriend is afraid of the questions they are going to ask her about me.

Anyone with experience in Bangkok (Sathon preferably) know what questions are going to ask the witnesses? Do they need to sign anything? What exactly do they need them for. Thanks

[Langsuan Man]

I can't give you any direct knowledge of the office you need.  But when I had a Last Will and Testament certified at my local Amphur, the witness requirement was taken care of by the office staff, when asked nicely and rewarded with a tip

 

But like everything here in Thailand, your mileage may vary 

[Tanoshi]

The witnesses need only their ID cards, which the Amphur will copy.

They are required at some Amphurs merely to confirm you are personally known to them.

 

I assume you already have the Blue book for your Condo.

[CharlieH]

Once again the inconsistencies abound.

Have the office actually told you that witnesses are required etc ?

My office didnt require them at all.

 

It would seem its yet another "what happens on the day" 

 

[Tanoshi]

2 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Once again the inconsistencies abound.

Have the office actually told you that witnesses are required etc ?

My office didnt require them at all.

 

It would seem its yet another "what happens on the day" 

 

I didn't require any witnesses when I obtained my first Tabien Baan, just the landlady's authorised signature to use her address. However since then staff have changed and they now request two Thai witnesses.

Requirement can change within an Amphur at the whim of the person in charge.

[richard_smith237]

Upon processing of my Yellow Tambien Baan book recently we used my Mother-In-Law as a Witness. 

 

The local Amphur (Suan Luang) had no issues with the Witness being an extended family member. 

 

The questions asked seemed basic, i.e. how long has my MiL known me, does she know my parents, how long have I been married to her daughter etc.

 

Note: As already pointed out, the specific requirements of each Amphur office vary. The best thing you can do is go down to the Amphur Office and ask for their requirements. You may also have to make an appointment for day you wish to process / apply for the Yellow Tambien Baan (also get the Pink ID card at the same time).

[TrevorC]

I needed two witnesses. I took my gf and the salesman from the condo office. Neither were asked any questions other than for their ID cards and confirmation how long they had known me. 

[captpkapoor]

In my case very recently in Bkk, they asked the two Thai witnesses: if they knew my apartment, which floor; whether they knew the lady with me was my wife; which country did we come from; and they had to sign two separate statements saying that they were aware what they were signing, and knew us. Now, neither my wife nor I speak much Thai, and neither of the two witnesses spoke any English, so we had taken a translator with us. The official was helpful because right in the beginning, a "gift" envelope had been given to him. To the extent that he stayed until 1700 well after closing hours, to finish our job. 

[khunPer]

On 1/30/2020 at 12:27 PM, vursas said:

Anyone with experience in Bangkok (Sathon preferably)...

OP ask for a specific destination. There are huge variations in what is needed for a Yellow House Book, so doesn't help much telling how it is in another province – mine was for example as difficult as applying for permanent citizenship, apart from Thai language test and singing the national hymn...????

[vursas]

10 hours ago, khunPer said:

OP ask for a specific destination. There are huge variations in what is needed for a Yellow House Book, so doesn't help much telling how it is in another province – mine was for example as difficult as applying for permanent citizenship, apart from Thai language test and singing the national hymn...????

Some of the other answers helped me understand that with 2 witnesses, some people bring a person that is not so close to them, which should be fine.

 

May I ask where did you apply and what was the difficult part?

[FARANG KIWI]

Up here in Nakhon Ratchasims we needed the 2 x Witnesses.

 

One was our Pu Yai Baan and the other Wifes younger Sister.

 

All had to be present at the same time.

 

Many questions to understand the validity of the relationship ( already 8 years married by then ) 

 

Was exhaustive and full line of questioning.

[khunPer]

5 hours ago, vursas said:

Some of the other answers helped me understand that with 2 witnesses, some people bring a person that is not so close to them, which should be fine.

 

May I ask where did you apply and what was the difficult part?

You're welcome, Koh Samui, Surat Thani province.

 

One of the witnesses is often stated that shall be a government employee, the other could be a neighbor. I used the head-of-villa (pu yai ban) and e next door neighbor, both knew/knows me very well.

 

Might be different demand(s) in your province.

[Peterw42]

In Pattaya witness just had to provide their ID (copied) and state they know you, No extensive questions or paperwork.

[asiaexpat]

Most Ket (not called Ampur in BKK) follow the DOPA manual that defines the process for issuing Tabien Baan. The manual requires two witnesses that can verify the applicant's identity and status in Thailand. My own experience in Prawet Ket involved questioning two relatives, all simple questions like how long have you known the applicant and what does the applicant do in Thailand; work, retired, etc. Each witness signed an interview statement document.

[Mango Bob]

I am going to our Ampure on Tuesday and they asked for two witnesses.  One is the village chief and one of my neighbors who is an retired soldier.  The village chief goes to the Ampure once of month to do this type of thing.  Both know me and my wife.  My wife taught the Village Chief daughter English for a few months and he has been over at our house.

[vursas]

Thank you all for the answers.

For anyone who will look into this topic in the future:

I went today. The officer asked me few questions about my past, education, what I've done in Thailand and doing now, family status and etc'. The witnesses were only asked how long they know me and give their ID.

 

Now I need to wait 2 weeks for it to be approved. If everything will be approved, I should get the yellow book & pink id card in the next meeting - already booked a date for it. The 2 witnesses need to come with me again to that meeting.

 

The service in Sathorn District Office was very good and professional. In and out pretty quick. There was no queue.

 

What I needed to bring:

1. Copy of my passport, translated and certified by ministry of foreign affairs

2. Copy of the property title

3. Copy of sale contract

3. Blue book

4. Signed document from the condo juristic office saying I stay there (There is no standard form. They had to write it in their own words)

5. 2 witnesses with copy of their id cards

6. 1 picture (maybe I'll need more in the next meeting)

Of course I brought the originals as well.

 

[wahpiangeh56]

One witness should suffice, and he/she has to be a Local Thai. The relationship is not an issue but the office would be asking you questions on your parents, country you're from, and getting all the factual details and having them all translated into Thai. Your Surname or name in particular should be an issue if it;s not properly translated and notarised. Once completed, you can have the previlege  of applying for a Local Bank Account, Driving License for starters.