Tabien Baan.

[khunPer]

22 hours ago, Londinium said:

I was told that I needed to go to my embassy (British, in my case) and have copies of my passport verified and then translated into Thai. Then I should need to bring two Thai witnesses to sign various documents.

 

Have others had this experience or a different one?

Yes, that sounds right for most provinces.

 

There are, as usual, difference between the provinces, or tessa ban offices, where some places it's fairly easy; most places as you are told; and some places even more difficult (I'm talking from experience).

 

You normally need you passport's first page (name etc.) officially translated into Thai script – let some read your name back and hear if it sound like your name – and either the translation being made by an officially approved translator, or is verified by one. You might get several pages about the translator's education, including the right rubber stamps, and a similar size fee, which is linear proportional with the number of pagaes, and the quality of rubber stamps.

 

The two witnesses normally need to be a neighbor that knows you well, and a government-employed that knows you well.

 

In my presumably little more complicated case, I also had a quite long interview in Thai language, but I was allowed a translator (my Thai girlfriend). In general almost same procedure as applying for permanent residency, but without the language test (translator accepted for interview), and I should not sing the national hymn (they shall be extremely happy that I was not singing)...????

[khunPer]

14 hours ago, Robin said:

Before you go too far, ask yourself if you really want or need a 'yellow book'?  I went through all the procedures you mention, and more.  Finally got the book and since then it has not been the slightest use to me.  Show it at Immigration, TM30 registration, 90 day report, visa extension, and no I/O has ever been interested.  Complete waste of time and money in my opinion. 

I've been very happy having my Yellow House Book; easy for address verification, got a pink ID-card for aliens, with the pink ID card fairly easy get a TIN (Tax Identification Number) without a work permit, which gives me tax return money in my home country, so it was fully worth the money for translator, and my efforts getting the Yellow House Book. I normally use my pink ID card as legal identification in banks and other places, instead of carrying my passport...????

[Bradmeister]

Dear OP,

 

No you don't need to go to the Embassy.

 

You do need to have it translated and then. processed at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Typically takes a day for the gears to turn.

 

There are 2 offices, The Main and a satellite next to an MRT station. I use the satellite.

 

All new retirement extentions as of December 25th, 2020 require a yellow book. 

 

Unless of course your I/O did not receive the memo yet.

 

Cheers. 

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, Bradmeister said:

All new retirement extentions as of December 25th, 2020 require a yellow book.

Where did you get that false info from. I have not seen or heard of such a memo. It is probably a rumor you heard from somebody. It would be impossible for that to be done since many people cannot get a yellow house book.

[mancub]

7 hours ago, Binger said:

Hi ya i just finished doing my yellow book & pink card the passport vitrification can be done by post very easy just pay on line at embassy web page and send off passport as for translation anywhere thet does them not sure where you are but i done mine in central plaza ground floor ubon ratchathani  

ps the mfa stamp on translation can be done by post to 

Well, I went in person to the MFA in Ubon  who would not endorse my passport translation, as they required it to come with the official British Embassy stamp...to "prove that the passport was genuine " !! Perhaps I'll try your suggestion.

[Fairynuff]

1 hour ago, gamini said:

why bother? the yellow book is not the slightest bit of use.the many expats that I know don't have one and would agree. The banks won't accept it for any transaction. Living in Thailand the last 20 years I can't see a single use for it.

I can only assume you don’t have a yellow book and your post is just your opinion. My experience has shown me it’s very useful in simplifying lots of different things I need or want to do. If you had one you’d know!

[Fairynuff]

1 hour ago, ThaiFelix said:

Same as my experience.....a waste of time.

 

I would suggest anybody thinking of getting the YB and ID go and check with your own amphur what are their requirements.  If you dont need to jump through hoops get them by all means.  Secondly I would check with those services where the YB and ID may be required/more convenient such as Imm office, traffic office, hospital etc.  In my area it is of no use at all, in fact some arent even aware of it.

 

Take note that some on here will tell you it is easy to obtain or they cant live without it etc but that only applies to where they live.  It seems easy for some to understand that each Imm Office has its own rules but dont seem to understand that many organisations in Thailand also vary depending on location.

You’re absolutely right, I’ve had 2 yellow books neither of which presented any difficulty whatsoever and no translation of anything so fortunately for me it was exceptionally easy. But I’m very aware that others in different places have been given the run around. I don’t know if I’d have persevered had I been faced with all the nonsense but I’m very pleased that I have my YB and ID because they’ve often been useful in saving time and money.

[Andrew Dwyer]

25 minutes ago, Bradmeister said:

Dear OP,

 

No you don't need to go to the Embassy.

 

You do need to have it translated and then. processed at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Typically takes a day for the gears to turn.

 

There are 2 offices, The Main and a satellite next to an MRT station. I use the satellite.

 

All new retirement extentions as of December 25th, 2020 require a yellow book. 

 

Unless of course your I/O did not receive the memo yet.

 

Cheers. 

The “ meister “ of misinformation ????

[Tanoshi]

26 minutes ago, Bradmeister said:

No you don't need to go to the Embassy.

Many Amphurs request an Embassy certified copy of your Passport.

 

27 minutes ago, Bradmeister said:

You do need to have it translated and then. processed at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The certified copy of Passport is translated, then both the certified copy and translation are then 'legalised' by the Consular section of the MFA.

That's standard requirement now for 90% of the Amphurs.

[OKF]

Hi there, I want to apply also and need this stamp from the Ministry of foreign affairs. Can somebody tell where exactly I can get this stamp in that ministry? Can I go there to receive it which I would appreciate? Someone before here wrote there is a sattelite? Was this a sattelite of the MFA? Some specific information would be appreciated.

[ubonjoe]

18 minutes ago, OKF said:

Hi there, I want to apply also and need this stamp from the Ministry of foreign affairs.

It is done by the Department of Consular Affairs of the MFA.

Locations are in Thai here: https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/publicservice/สถานที่ให้บริการรับรองนิติกรณ์เอกสาร

Procedure are here in English. https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/publicservice/ขั้นตอนการรับรองเอกสาร

[86Tiger]

22 minutes ago, OKF said:

Hi there, I want to apply also and need this stamp from the Ministry of foreign affairs. Can somebody tell where exactly I can get this stamp in that ministry? Can I go there to receive it which I would appreciate? Someone before here wrote there is a sattelite? Was this a sattelite of the MFA? Some specific information would be appreciated.

 

 

The lady we use for translations in Udon takes care of all MFA stamps for us. 

 

I can't say how others acquire.

[OJAS]

1 hour ago, BigStar said:

I find my pink card frequently convenient to use as ID. Registered with it at public hospitals, which may help avoid the farang surcharge. And it's proof of my Thai SS membership at my registered hospital. Looking forward to using the yellow book at the DLT next year.

 

Those who fulsomely sing the praises of the pink card and yellow book on here to the very highest heavens as being the best thing since sliced bread appear conveniently to overlook the basic fact that they both exclude 1 small but crucial piece of detail which, in practice, renders them next to useless for ID purposes in lieu of passports: namely the date when the holder's current permission to stay is due to expire.

[Tanoshi]

2 hours ago, gamini said:

The banks won't accept it for any transaction.

Incorrect.

If you use your Passport as ID to open an account, then your name appears in English and your Passport is required for ID purposes.

If you open the account with your Thai ID card, your name appears in Thai and your Thai ID card is required for ID purposes.

2 hours ago, gamini said:

Living in Thailand the last 20 years I can't see a single use for it.

You can use it in the same way Thais use their ID for almost anything within Thailand.

[OJAS]

31 minutes ago, OKF said:

Hi there, I want to apply also and need this stamp from the Ministry of foreign affairs. Can somebody tell where exactly I can get this stamp in that ministry? Can I go there to receive it which I would appreciate? Someone before here wrote there is a sattelite? Was this a sattelite of the MFA? Some specific information would be appreciated.

 

As part of my unsuccessful attempt to obtain a yellow book several years ago, I spent many a happy hour one day staring at walls, floors and ceilings inside the MFA offices which, I gather, are in the same road as the CW Immigration Office (but not in the same building).

[OJAS]

10 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You can use it in the same way Thais use their ID for almost anything within Thailand.

 

But it cannot be used in lieu of a passport to prove that its foreign holder is currently staying in Thailand legitimately.

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

As part of my unsuccessful attempt to obtain a yellow book several years ago, I spent many a happy hour one day staring at walls, floors and ceilings inside the MFA offices which, I gather, are in the same road as the CW Immigration Office (but not in the same building).

That is the Department of Consular Affairs building not the MFA offices. The MFA's building is at another location.

[Tanoshi]

6 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

As part of my unsuccessful attempt to obtain a yellow book several years ago, I spent many a happy hour one day staring at walls, floors and ceilings inside the MFA offices which, I gather, are in the same road as the CW Immigration Office (but not in the same building).

They are busy and cannot always offer same day service for legalisation.

The norm is to drop it off and pay 100 baht for EMS return to your home address. Takes 3 days on average.

[Andrew Dwyer]

1 minute ago, Tanoshi said:

They are busy and cannot always offer same day service for legalisation.

The norm is to drop it off and pay 100 baht for EMS return to your home address. Takes 3 days on average.

Yes , that is exactly what I did.

Visited the British Embassy first for the certified copy then called in the MFA for the translation ( luckily is on my way home ).

They sent it on by EMS .

[Tanoshi]

7 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

But it cannot be used in lieu of a passport to prove that its foreign holder is currently staying in Thailand legitimately.

It was never intended to be used in lieu of a Passport.

You enter the Country using your International Passport, which is recorded and then used by Immigration for ID purposes, which is why their not interest in any Thai ID for foreigners.

 

The Thai ID card for foreigners is purely for use in Thailand to access services the same way Thais do.

You can open a bank account, obtain Driving licence, buy/sell motor vehicles using your Yellow book as proof of address and card as ID - but your name will appear as on the ID used.

[Tanoshi]

30 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That is the Department of Consular Affairs building not the MFA offices. The MFA's building is at another location.

It's near CW Immigration as @OJAS described.

 

Contact details of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
123 Chaengwattana Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210

 

This is where you take certified foreign documents and translations to be legalised.

[Tanoshi]

6 hours ago, OJAS said:

And, unlike you, I didn't even get the book at the end of the day because some eagle-eyed official back at the amphur spotted that the Thai transliteration of my surname in the passport certification translation didn't exactly match my wife's as stated in her blue tabien baan and ID card!

I'll guarantee that when you married the wife took your surname and the Amphur incorrectly translated your surname into Thai and it's incorrect in her book and ID card, not the more professional translation you had done for the yellow book.

She should have also received a 'change of surname' document in Thai. If that were translated for say a Visa application to another Country and didn't match her ID, it can cause refusals.

[Fairynuff]

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

 

Those who fulsomely sing the praises of the pink card and yellow book on here to the very highest heavens as being the best thing since sliced bread appear conveniently to overlook the basic fact that they both exclude 1 small but crucial piece of detail which, in practice, renders them next to useless for ID purposes in lieu of passports: namely the date when the holder's current permission to stay is due to expire.

And those who appear desperate to deny the usefulness will always look for a way prove their point. You don’t want one...fine don’t have one. I know that both have been useful to me and that’s enough.

[Fairynuff]

53 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

But it cannot be used in lieu of a passport to prove that its foreign holder is currently staying in Thailand legitimately.

So that’s one case that it MIGHT not be useful, but there are plenty of times it is useful

[Fairynuff]

41 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

It was never intended to be used in lieu of a Passport.

You enter the Country using your International Passport, which is recorded and then used by Immigration for ID purposes, which is why their not interest in any Thai ID for foreigners.

 

The Thai ID card for foreigners is purely for use in Thailand to access services the same way Thais do.

You can open a bank account, obtain Driving licence, buy/sell motor vehicles using your Yellow book as proof of address and card as ID - but your name will appear as on the ID used.

Spot on... why don’t the naysayers understand this?

[Darksidedude]

On 12/29/2020 at 11:31 AM, Londinium said:

On my way to Tesco this morning I thought I would drop by my local Amphur office to apply for a yellow book. I took my blue book, passport, deeds of my condo etc and, following posts I have read here, thought it would be a simple matter.

 

Three local govt. officers scrutinised my papers. I have lived here for most of the years out of the previous fourteen since I bought my condo and have a current extension to my non-immigrant O visa (for retirement),

 

I was told that I needed to go to my embassy (British, in my case) and have copies of my passport verified and then translated into Thai. Then I should need to bring two Thai witnesses to sign various documents.

 

Have others had this experience or a different one?

 

Best regards.

 

 

did not have to have certified copies of passport or translated, my wife done the whole lot with 2 of her relatives involved it was a huge run around but she got it in the end, for what its worth i wouldn't bother i told her that but she was adamant i got it

[digger70]

On 12/29/2020 at 2:31 PM, Londinium said:

On my way to Tesco this morning I thought I would drop by my local Amphur office to apply for a yellow book. I took my blue book, passport, deeds of my condo etc and, following posts I have read here, thought it would be a simple matter.

 

Three local govt. officers scrutinised my papers. I have lived here for most of the years out of the previous fourteen since I bought my condo and have a current extension to my non-immigrant O visa (for retirement),

 

I was told that I needed to go to my embassy (British, in my case) and have copies of my passport verified and then translated into Thai. Then I should need to bring two Thai witnesses to sign various documents.

 

Have others had this experience or a different one?

 

Best regards.

 

 

We didn't have much trouble to get the yellow book ,Greased a palm and Voila done.  

[Robin]

To add more to my initial comment re. the Yellow Book.

I originally applied for thsi document as I was told by an I/O at Chiang Rai that I should do so as it was 'important.'  He convinced Khun wife that it was essential that I get a Yellow Book.

Initially te procedure as to got to local Admin office, Chun, Phayao, and apply.  many hours waiting in office and many photo-copies of my passport, and then I had to get photo of self, wife and PYB outside my house. Photo had to show house number.

Then return to Chun office with photo and PYB to verify that it was a genuine photo and that it was really me and wife in photo.  As I remember, PYB had to be paid 100 Baht foe posing in photo and other 100B to visit  Office and verify photo.

Then visit to UK embassy, Bangkok to get passport, birth cert., and marriage cert. translated and verified. (How many expats in Thailand have their birth cert. with them?)

Then to visits to Government office in Chaeng Wattana to apply for and collect Yellow Book.

When I next visited Chiang Rai I/O for retirement extension/ 90 day report, I proudly showed my Yellow Book.  I/O, the same one who told me o get one, waved it away without a second glance.  That has been the reaction of every I/O who I have showed to book to since.

Local bank, kassikorn, not interested, nor Phayo office that issued driving licence or car registration. 

Thai driving licence and m/c licence only required attendance at licence office, read copy of Highway code, watch road safety film (Hilarious!)

oral exam by official, and other Thai nonsense, (colour blindness test, reaction test, medical exam, ID Photo,) then show and explain UK driving licence to official, who could speak and read English, so no translation needed.  Given Thai licence for car and m/c as is my UK licence.

Since renewed both licences and never asked for Yellow Book.

Conclusion:  it is an interesting document, not essential for my life in Thailand, but obtaining it kept several Thai government officials occupied for a few minutes and generated a lot of paperwork that had to be filed somewhere.

it is also something to show off to other Farangs who do not have one.

Who is going to convince me that I also need this Pink ID Card?

 

 

 

[Rawairat]

Kathu in Phuket was no problems went with the ex and her blue book they took copies of my passport. Went back after 2 weeks it was done.

[Neeranam]

7 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

Those who fulsomely sing the praises of the pink card and yellow book on here to the very highest heavens as being the best thing since sliced bread appear conveniently to overlook the basic fact that they both exclude 1 small but crucial piece of detail which, in practice, renders them next to useless for ID purposes in lieu of passports: namely the date when the holder's current permission to stay is due to expire.

I had a yellow book for over 10 years and never used it much, as I also had a work permit. 

Once every 5 years for proof of address is all I can think of using it for, but once I got that free from immigration when I was doing my visa.