Can I apply for a Thai ID card if I’m holding an Ed visa?

[driveout]

I've been searching for information on obtaining a Thai ID card, but it appears to be quite challenging. I've heard that having an Ed visa should make it easier, but I could use some valuable guidance on the process. Can anyone provide assistance on how to obtain one as a foreigner?
 

Cheers and have a great day!

[CharlieH]

You cannot obtain a Thai ID card as per the locals have (blue with a chip) unless you obtain PR or are Thai.or have citizenship

 

There is a Pink ID card (no chip)  issued to foreigners and obtained from the local amphur. It would appear that each amphur have varying requirements, either state what area you are in for others to comment or go visit your local amphur and ask them directly what their requirements are for you to obtain the PINK foreigners ID card.

 

[DrJack54]

31 minutes ago, driveout said:

I've been searching for information on obtaining a Thai ID card, but it appears to be quite challenging

Think you mean Pink Card.

How will it assist you

[tomazbodner]

11 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

You cannot obtain a Thai ID card as per the locals have (blue with a chip) unless you obtain PR or are Thai.

 

There is a Pink ID card (no chip)  issued to foreigners and obtained from the local amphur. It would appear that each amphur have varying requirements, either state what area you are in for others to comment or go visit your local amphur and ask them directly what their requirements are for you to obtain the PINK foreigners ID card.

 

Correction - foreigners with PR cannot get a blue Thai ID card, only PinkID.

[FritsSikkink]

First you need to be registered in a yellow house book, more info here: Pink Thai ID Card for Foreigners - Isaan Lawyers

[brianthainess]

Yellow book first, then pink ID card. Best to go to your local Amphur and ask as some find it 'To Hard' take a Thai speaking National, to fully understand.

Mine was easy no translation of passport, I think 2 witnesses one of which must be able to speak Thai. 

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post and the replies to it.

[Hakuna Matata]

16 hours ago, driveout said:

how to obtain one as a foreigner?

 

That is impossible. You must have the citizenship of Thailand.

[Hakuna Matata]

15 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

only PinkID

 

The so-called "Pink ID" is useless. It is probably useful for foreign criminals who don't want to show their expired passport if stopped on the street by Immigration Police. but in most cases they will ask for your passport anyway!

[CecilM]

The benefits of the pink ID are overrated. I have one (I got it for fun) but hardly ever get a chance to use it.

 

What do you want to use it for?

[Gottfrid]

24 minutes ago, CecilM said:

The benefits of the pink ID are overrated. I have one (I got it for fun) but hardly ever get a chance to use it.

 

What do you want to use it for?

One thing, that is always a hot potato topic here, it´s good for. You get the same rate as Thais visiting Zoo´s, National parks and other attractions. HURRAY! No more double pricing! What do you say about that guys? Now your wallets will be full of money. 😂

In other words, YES! it´s useless. 

[TigerandDog]

I guess it depends on why you need one. I have one and use it regularly instead of having to produce either my passport or driver's license as ID. I also only pay Thai prices at National Parks etc or get free entry for being over the age of 60 once they see the card.  I also only have to pay Thai rates for golf upon production of my pink ID card. On one occasion I had to visit the hospital and they were about to hit me with the foreigner prices but when I produced the pink ID card I only got charged the same rate as Thais. So those that say it is useless  can continue to undervalue the card, but I find it to be quite beneficial.

Edited May 3 by TigerandDog

[oldcpu]

As noted, this IS a hot topic.

 

Its a lot of running around to get the "pink ID" and as others have pointed out, its utility can be questioned.  I fully agree there.

 

But ....

 

The one time I found it VERY useful, when NOTHING else would work (at that time), was trying to buy Thai Government bonds to make up the last remaining portion of my investment in Thailand for an LTR-WP visa.  I tried various banks (to either buy the bonds direct or via a 3rd market) (ie SCB, UOB, Krungsri, and some others) and ONLY Bankgok Bank in Central Festival of Phuket would let me buy such, but ONLY if I could show them a Pink ID (according to their bank manager).

 

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

I offered copies of my Thai drivers license. Not acceptable to the bank manager.

I offered copies of my passport with the Type-O visa stamp (and 4 months left in type-O extension). Not acceptable to the bank manager.

I offered proof of my condo purchase (copy of deed). Not acceptable to the bank manager.

How about my Yellow Book?  Nope. According to the bank manager, not without the Pink ID.

I asked what else could I provide instead of the Pink-ID?

 

The response?  

 

He would only accept a "pink-ID".  Nothing else acceptable to him.

 

I decided to stop trying to fight city hall at that point, so I pulled it out my Pink-ID on the spot , showed it, and he advised his bank tellers to process my application to buy the Thai government savings bonds. ...

 

Now don't get me wrong - Thai savings bonds are NOT a great investment if one wants the interest.  Just the contrary.  But the interest on bonds was not the point of the exercise in buying these bonds. The point was to buy 'just enough' to put me over the amount needed to qualify for the LTR-WP visa.

 

I suspect it is possible to buy Thai government bonds without showing a Pink-ID, but I can say unequivocally that the pink-ID was the only item that would work at a Thai Bank in Central Festival in Phuket.

 

BUT to re-iterate what others have noted - its a lot of effort to get the 'pink-ID' where the utility can in the most part be questioned.  However it is NOT useless all the time. Sometimes, this being Thailand, one can be surprised.

 

 

Edited May 3 by oldcpu

[tomazbodner]

1 hour ago, Hakuna Matata said:

 

The so-called "Pink ID" is useless. It is probably useful for foreign criminals who don't want to show their expired passport if stopped on the street by Immigration Police. but in most cases they will ask for your passport anyway!

It is useful for those with PR, that means those that have Pink ID number starting with 8.

 

It can be used for opening bank accounts, register for credit cards, internet/cable TV (at least AIS and True), it's accepted at hotels, money changers, post office, couriers, by police, immigration, government offices, land department, you can also register a housing loan with it... And main thing is that the number stays the same, so you don't have to update it when you change card, like you have to update passport number each time it changes. The downside is that if you use passport then your account is considered a non-resident account, while with pink ID it's considered resident account. You can't update non-resident account with pink ID without closing it and opening another one, as change from one type to another isn't permitted.

 

I haven't been asked for passport other than at the immigration (entering/leaving Thailand, applying for non quota immigrant visa) for a decade. Pink ID always sufficed.

Edited May 3 by tomazbodner

[Surasak]

The 2 main problems with obtaining a Pink ID card is to my mind, either ignorance of the process or 'We don't do that here'. Basically laziness and couldn't give a toss. I would guarantee no 2 Amphur's are the same when in comes to information foreigners require. 

 

[Arkady]

The 2008 amendment to the Civil Registration Act requires heads of registration at district offices to register everyone that resides in their district.  There is no definition of residence in this context but for foreigners it is generally regards as everyone on more than tourist visa who has been there longer than 6 months or so.  The definition registration is put them in a tabian baan and issue a pink ID card.  But there is no consistency in the application of this amendment and no downside for district officers who decline to comply with it.

[jayboy]

On 5/3/2024 at 9:42 AM, oldcpu said:

BUT to re-iterate what others have noted - its a lot of effort to get the 'pink-ID' where the utility can in the most part be questioned.  However it is NOT useless all the time. Sometimes, this being Thailand, one can be surprised

 

There was another unexpected use for the Pink ID, namely at the start of the government sponsored Covid vaccination programme.As I recall there were a few weeks when foreigners needed a Pink Id to get on it.

[mogandave]

The last time I renewed my drivers license, I only used the old license and pink ID