What exactly is a Thai pink ID card?

[mogandave]

Good for opening bank account foe social security. 

 

OGood for renewing driver license.

[Ralf001]

14 minutes ago, petedk said:

 

On the MRT it is 60. I bought one without any problems. Just showed my passport.

 

 

 

had to show passsport... not pink card ?

[Ralf001]

14 minutes ago, mogandave said:

Good for opening bank account foe social security. 

 

OGood for renewing driver license.

 

I renewded my licence without one, what is the benefit of the pink card.?

[Packer]

You get Thai price at Thai universities instead of international student fees, but can never use that study to apply for an Education visa.

Renewal of driving licenses, opening bank accounts and buying vehicles don't require a certificate of residence if you have a pink ID card. 

[cjinchiangrai]

I use mine frequently. Much easier than carrying my passport. Doctors, hotels, government offices, airports, post office. Not expensive and handy.

 

If you do not have a fixed address, it is more complicated and not really needed, it is just a convenience.

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

I have a yellow book and a pink card. Yellow book issuance was like pulling teeth, ended up with several rounds when they asked more and more irrelevant info, also about my long deceased parents. This is done for one simple and obvious reason, which I resisted and in the end they gave in, exhausted. The pink card was quite easy in comparison.

 

Yellow book for me is only accepted at immigration as proof of address. NOT at Land Transport Department (Pattaya), there it is a hard no, tried several times over the years. Even an agent I use as hand-holder there said the same, yellow book not accepted. So I have to go to immigration, use the yellow book to get a CoR, which I then take to LTD. Circular anyone? But still, always someone saying I'm wrong, they use it there, and I must dress wrongly or be drunk or obnoxious in some way. Yeah, right.

 

Same with the pink card, it is never accepted in any bank I try it, neither in any hotel. Again, I look and act normal. So unless you have opened your account based on your pink card, why would counter staff accept anything less than your passport? Nothing but downside for them and no upside.

 

I am not saying these dissenting voices are outright lying, but I find it hard to understand that for them it is so easy and convenient, but for me it is close to impossible? Anyway, this is just my experience and opinion, and I am not picking a fight, just trying to understand. But after 28 years here, I should know better I guess, and just suck it up.

[mogandave]

6 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

I renewded my licence without one, what is the benefit of the pink card.?

I did not need a certificate of residence or show my passport 

[Hummin]

32 minutes ago, mogandave said:

I did not need a certificate of residence or show my passport 

Some pay for illegally licenses, yes, or use the Pink card.

 

Great to have when you buying and selling vehicles, or even get to the priority line when entering Thailand by air. 

[Ralf001]

5 hours ago, mogandave said:

I did not need a certificate of residence or show my passport 

 

I did not have to show passport either.

[richard_smith237]

20 hours ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

But still, always someone saying I'm wrong, they use it there, and I must dress wrongly or be drunk or obnoxious in some way. Yeah, right.

 

Thats been one of the most 'common' comments on this forum in response things working out differently...

...  I think people see the occasional guy looking like a bum and assume everyone else dresses that way when they face a bureaucratic brick-wall. 

 

Its long been noted that the Yellow Book / Pink ID is not accepted at the DLT in Pattaya.

In Bangkok, the regulations are interpreted differently and we can use the Yellow Book / Pink ID which makes things much easier.

 

Its the same for opening Bank accounts, travel, checking into hotels etc.

 

Also, for having someting 'small' at hand (in the wallet) if asked for ID (but in 'most' cases a driving license will suffice and beyond that, a photo of the passport our phone will).

 

Nothing can be done with the Yellow Book / Pink ID that can't with a passport - but having these documents has saved time and money over the years, certainly not needed, but they add a layer of convenience. 

[Packer]

14 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Nothing can be done with the Yellow Book / Pink ID that can't with a passport

 

Registering vehicles and property, renewing both motorbike and car licenses (outside of Pattaya). 🙂

 

All require a certificate of residence which cannot be reused. 🙂 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

32 minutes ago, Packer said:

47 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Nothing can be done with the Yellow Book / Pink ID that can't with a passport

 

Registering vehicles and property, renewing both motorbike and car licenses (outside of Pattaya). 🙂

 

All require a certificate of residence which cannot be reused. 🙂 

 

 

I see where the misunderstanding came from...  (I've rephrased)

 

Nothing can be done with the Yellow Book / Pink ID that can't with a passport or other documentation - but having the Yellow Book / Pink ID has saved time and money over the years, certainly not needed, but they add a layer of convenience. 

 

 

To clarify:

Renewing a Drivers License at DLT Area 3 (Bangchak, Bangkok) can be carried using the Yellow Book / Pink ID (and a number of other DLT's too - but not all) - a CoR is not required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[roo860]

When I sold a motorbike and bought another one here in Chiang Mai, they said at the transport office can't do without pink card, I've had a yellow book for years. Went to the local Amphur and 70bt for the card, just needed one Thai witness, that's the only reason I got the card.

[DrJack54]

16 minutes ago, roo860 said:

When I sold a motorbike and bought another one here in Chiang Mai, they said at the transport office can't do without pink card, I've had a yellow book for years.

A COR should suffice

[Equatorial]

Thanks for all the feedback!!

 

44 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

A COR should suffice

 

Speaking of which, other than selling a motorcycle, what else is a COR useful or required for? 

[Ralf001]

3 minutes ago, Equatorial said:

Thanks for all the feedback!!

 

 

Speaking of which, other than selling a motorcycle, what else is a COR useful or required for? 

Buying a motorcycle.

[DrJack54]

Just now, Equatorial said:

Thanks for all the feedback!!

 

Speaking of which, other than selling a motorcycle, what else is a COR useful or required for? 

You need it to obtain TDL. 

Previously pink ID card was sufficient. 

Many transport offices now insist on COR. Some still accept the card 

See post from @richard_smith237 

Most transport offices in Bangkok require COR. 

 

Some banks ask for COR to open a bank account..

Some banks will accept a Non O. 

[Gobbler]

On 5/17/2025 at 12:33 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

I use mine to buy a purple Elder Card for BTS. Yes, they've hassled me exactly twice since BTS was built.

How much is it to be a senior citizen here and use the BTS? 

[roo860]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

A COR should suffice

I don't need a COR, never have done in 22yrs, as I have a yellow book, accepted at immigration for extensions, this was at Transport office last year in Chiang Mai, pink card needed, obviously you don't know the rules in Chiang Mai.

[sandyf]

On 5/17/2025 at 2:32 PM, Ralf001 said:

 

Have lived and worked here 20 years.

 

Not yet seen a reason why having a pink card is beneficial.

You probably use private hospitals.

In the government hospitals it is quite common for Thais to hand over their ID card. It is slipped into a plastic sleeve which is then stapled to their docs. That cannot be done with a passport.

In the pre card days I saw the nurse drop my passport on the floor as she walked away, a nurse behind got to it before I did.

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, roo860 said:

When I sold a motorbike and bought another one here in Chiang Mai, they said at the transport office can't do without pink card, I've had a yellow book for years. Went to the local Amphur and 70bt for the card, just needed one Thai witness, that's the only reason I got the card.

They tried that with me as well, because They are lazy, but when I handed them the pink cars, they found another reason, Honda Pitsanulok lost one customer, Nakhon Sawan got one new

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Nothing can be done with the Yellow Book / Pink ID that can't with a passport or other documentation

When covid broke out, those registered with pink card could be added to Mhor Prom immediately by the hospital. Guy I knew at same hospital, his wife made a complaint when she found out I had an appointment for the vaccine first day of the rollout, turned out he was registered at the hospital with his passport and it couldn't be done.

The guy was a lot sicker than I was, cancer, died not long after.

 

People can live in the hope that is never relevant again.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

1 hour ago, roo860 said:

When I sold a motorbike and bought another one here in Chiang Mai, they said at the transport office can't do without pink card, I've had a yellow book for years. Went to the local Amphur and 70bt for the card, just needed one Thai witness, that's the only reason I got the card.

They tried that with me as well, because They are lazy, but when I handed them the pink cars, they found another reason, Honda Pitsanulok lost one customer, Nakhon Sawan got one new

 

I've had similar experiences in the past  (buying a car and motorcycle) - Neither dealership really knew exactly what was required, fortunately I did.

 

- The car: Sales said I needed a work permit - I requested their manager, brief discussion before they understood, that to register the car in my name the Yellow House Book is sufficient.

 

- The Bike: Sales said I needed a CoR - I corrected them and told them I'll register the bike myself and did so at the DLT with the Yellow House Book.

 

 

There are a lot of people who would say 'cannot' simply when they do not know.

 

 

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, roo860 said:

I don't need a COR, never have done in 22yrs, as I have a yellow book. This was last year in Chiang Mai, pink card needed, obviously you don't know the rules in Chiang Mai.

Not interested Specifically about CM. 

If transport office accepts pink card for TDL renewal then fine. 

Some will require a COR. 

BTW when was last time you renewed you TDL in CM. 

What did you provide the transport office? 

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, sandyf said:

When covid broke out, those registered with pink card could be added to Mhor Prom immediately by the hospital. Guy I knew at same hospital, his wife made a complaint when she found out I had an appointment for the vaccine first day of the rollout, turned out he was registered at the hospital with his passport and it couldn't be done.

The guy was a lot sicker than I was, cancer, died not long after.

 

People can live in the hope that is never relevant again.

 

The same happened with me - at the time, lots of people (Foreigners) complaining that they were excluded from vaccination plans. I too registered with Mor Prom App...     I was vaccinated ahead of my Wife and her parents. 

 

There are other 'advantages' that I've read of in these threads, but also a lot of misinformation, also a lot of conflicting information as experiences vary from province to province. 

[Hamus Yaigh]

On 5/17/2025 at 2:32 PM, Ralf001 said:

Have lived and worked here 20 years.

 

Not yet seen a reason why having a pink card is beneficial.

How can someone be in a country 20 years and be so clueless about it?

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Not interested Specifically about CM. 

If transport office accepts pink card for TDL renewal then fine. 

Some will require a COR. 

BTW when was last time you renewed you TDL in CM. 

What did you provide the transport office? 

 

Valid point - My renewal is due this year...  Its entirely possible that at DLT Area 3 BKK (where I go), that the rules have changed...    Its seems there is a lack of consistency regarding the Pink ID / Yellow House Book being acceptable for Driving Licence renewal. 

 

That said: I'm expecting no changes: 

- Passport copy

- Visa Page copy

- Yellow Book & Pink ID

- Medical Cert 

- Video QR Code

- On the day in-class tests (eyes reaction etc)

 

 

[richard_smith237]

51 minutes ago, Equatorial said:

Speaking of which, other than selling a motorcycle, what else is a COR useful or required for? 

 

CoR / Affirmation of Address / Yellow Book - Pink ID....    None of them required for selling a vehicle. 

 

This is a common misconception.

[unblocktheplanet]

43 minutes ago, Gobbler said:

How much is it to be a senior citizen here and use the BTS? 

60 years, halfprice at non-peak hours, never expires. Can probably top up anywhere.

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

How can someone be in a country 20 years and be so clueless about it?

 

He's not clueless about it - I called him out of the first page of this thread...   so he had to 'play along a little more'...

 

 

Par of for the course with some such posters is to 'attempt to create' conflict...  post mildly contradictory information to trigger a debate - the Yellow Book discussion has surfaced multiple times per year, for years. 

 

 

He's asking 'what exactly a pink ID card is'  he knows exactly what it is.