What exactly is a Thai pink ID card?

[flexomike]

4 hours ago, Blueman1 said:

I've Had a PINK ID Card for a Few Years now,But Do You Know that @Kasikorn Bank Will NOT Accept it in Nong Khai ( MAIN Branch)  Will NOT Accept it to either let you WITHDRAW Or Even DEPOSIT Cash into Your OWN Account....Very Arrogant Tellers too......

If your bank accounts were in Thai they would let you use it. Pink card is in Thai so doesn't match your English name on your bank account.

[KhunLA]

56 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Advantages are that you have a Thai ID-number – which will be same number as TIN –  and you can use it as both address and picture identification. You'll need to be registered on an address in a so-called yellow house book for foreigners, before you can have an ID-card for a foreigner.

 

Disadvantage are the paperwork that you need to do – including bringing two witnesses to prove whio you are and where you live – the time spend and the cost of an approved offcial translation of you passport's name page.

Office dependent, as I didn't need any of that.

[richard_smith237]

36 minutes ago, flexomike said:

I live in Rayong, for my first two renewals the yellow book and pink card were good. Last year they said have to have a Certificate of residence, 140 km round trip. I am still good for five more years as I got almost six years out of my renewal.

 

I think thats a lot of the issue many of us have with such beurocratic interactions and often interactions in general, experiences vary from province to province, often even from officer to officer...   Then we fall under the assumption or misunderstanding that 'these are the hard rules'...  Or better still, 'someone wasn't dressed respectfully etc'....   

... A lack of clearly documented coherent consistency across provinces, from office to office, and offerer to officer would go a long way to saving us a lot of time and effort and also, debate.

 

 

I fully expect my next driving license renewal to go swimmingly, it always has - yet I'm mentally prepared for the....    "cannot, you need a notarised photocopy of an imprint of your right-foot, verified by the DLT head-office, along with an affirmation of freedom to drive from your embassy" ....    of course thats the exaggerated version and far from close to any resonable reality... but we see the minor variations already, and we've all been tripped up by something ' not being he same as it was last time' enough times....

 

 

 

 

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

I didn't do it, the government hospital did it for me, had it within 2 hours of the rollout starting.

A benefit of the pink card.

that aint a benefit.

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

priority booking a covid vax.... bwahahahahahahahah.

 

And with this comment, the poster reveals not only his intellectual void but also the true aim of this thread – to provoke, bait, and invite ridicule. It lays bare the mental mediocrity and pathetically juvenile mindset of those who actively seek out to trigger this kind of hollow interaction.

[The Old Bull]

When the pink card first came out it was of little use because nobody knew what it was. Now it is very useful, changing money at the bank, checking in to hotels. I get the Thai rate in the village clinic and the hospital dental clinic.

[scorecard]

11 hours ago, Blueman1 said:

I've Had a PINK ID Card for a Few Years now,But Do You Know that @Kasikorn Bank Will NOT Accept it in Nong Khai ( MAIN Branch)  Will NOT Accept it to either let you WITHDRAW Or Even DEPOSIT Cash into Your OWN Account....Very Arrogant Tellers too......

Depends on the branch.

 

A few years back I went to to my K Bank branch at Big C Don Chan Chiang Ma, I had been issued a new passport. I tried to use my old passport number for something and it was rejected because the bank records showed the passport had expired.

 

So I went to my bank to give them / show them my new passport number.

 

The teller supervisor (excellent English) saw my pink card and instantly asked 'is this for Thai PR?' I confirmed it was.

 

Bank supervisor then said 'the bank now prefers to record your Thai pink card number, not your passport number because the Thai id number is for lifetime so it can never expire and you will never have to update it, which means less computer transactions over a long period and no chance of rejection because the number has expired by date. . 

 

She then took my pink card read the Thai ID number to the teller who typed it immediately into the bank database.

 

She also mentioned 'other banks are now doing the same thing.'  Supervisor then returned the pink card and new passport to me. 

 

 

[OJAS]

On 5/17/2025 at 2:49 PM, Caldera said:

It's pretty much useless, as it doesn't have a chip unlike the ID card for Thais. None of the automated/online ID verification systems that work with Thai ID cards work with the pink card, so wherever you need to use it for ID, you still need to go in person, just like any other foreigner who doesn't have a pink ID card. If I have to go somewhere in person anyway, I can just as well use my Thai DL (wherever that works) or my passport (in all other cases) for ID.

 

I've never bothered getting one for that reason. I'd change my mind if they implement NDID functionality for it.

 

Plus the fact that a major flaw IMHO is that it contains zilch info on what is surely the most important piece of personal info in the case of us foreigners: namely the date when our current permission to stay expires. Until such time as this crucial piece of info is somehow included in the card - through either a specific "permission to stay expiry" date or even card expiry date matching that when your current permission to stay expires - I certainly don't plan on jumping through all the hoops needed in order to obtain one.

[Blueman1]

10 hours ago, scorecard said:

Depends on the branch.

 

A few years back I went to to my K Bank branch at Big C Don Chan Chiang Ma, I had been issued a new passport. I tried to use my old passport number for something and it was rejected because the bank records showed the passport had expired.

 

So I went to my bank to give them / show them my new passport number.

 

The teller supervisor (excellent English) saw my pink card and instantly asked 'is this for Thai PR?' I confirmed it was.

 

Bank supervisor then said 'the bank now prefers to record your Thai pink card number, not your passport number because the Thai id number is for lifetime so it can never expire and you will never have to update it, which means less computer transactions over a long period and no chance of rejection because the number has expired by date. . 

 

She then took my pink card read the Thai ID number to the teller who typed it immediately into the bank database.

 

She also mentioned 'other banks are now doing the same thing.'  Supervisor then returned the pink card and new passport to me. 

 

 

Well All I Can say The Nong Khai Branch on Meechai Road NEVER Did ANY Of that for me & My Pink Card, Both The Teller & The Supervisor Dismissed Me straight away so I went to their other branch at Asawann ( Old Tesco / Lotus ) & Had NO Problems doing what I Needed to,I've Since phoned their HEAD Office in Bangkok to complain about this matter plus the Arrogant Attitude of BOTH Members of the 1st Branch....I'm Still Waiting for an answer from them but " Happy " to say I Never held my breath whilst I was waiting.....So @scorecard...Depends on the branch.I Guess You are CORRECT.....

[Blueman1]

17 hours ago, flexomike said:

If your bank accounts were in Thai they would let you use it. Pink card is in Thai so doesn't match your English name on your bank account.

O.K. Then I Guess this is why we say.......T.I.T ??

[richard_smith237]

19 hours ago, flexomike said:

If your bank accounts were in Thai they would let you use it. Pink card is in Thai so doesn't match your English name on your bank account.

 

My accounts were opened with the Pink ID card - (but actual names on Bank Book, in English - its just the number) no issues there using Pink ID to deal with tellers at the branches.  I wonder if they'd accept my Passport though (kind of reverse issue).

 

Of note: I recently paid money into my Wife's account: Teller did not ask for any ID... Just paid into her account numbers (at SCB in BKK) - this surprised me as they usually ask for ID for everything, maybe a mistake, or maybe times are evolving.

[flexomike]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

My accounts were opened with the Pink ID card - (but actual names on Bank Book, in English - its just the number) no issues there using Pink ID to deal with tellers at the branches.  I wonder if they'd accept my Passport though (kind of reverse issue).

 

Of note: I recently paid money into my Wife's account: Teller did not ask for any ID... Just paid into her account numbers (at SCB in BKK) - this surprised me as they usually ask for ID for everything, maybe a mistake, or maybe times are evolving.

Been with the same Bangkok for nine years and always required passport for all transactions. The last year or so they take copies of ID page and permission of stay stamp. Rayong

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, flexomike said:

Been with the same Bangkok for nine years and always required passport for all transactions.

 

 

When making these statements its important to clarify some information to avoid misinformation.

 

How was your Bank Opened: - Using your Passport ?  

IF so, you will (usually) need your Passport for 'at counter transactions'....

 

I Have accounts at SCB (opened with Passport), KTB, and BKK Banks (opened with Pink ID).

 

For SCB 'at counter transactions'.... I need my Passport. 

For KTB, and BKK 'at counter transactions'.... My Pink ID or my Passport will work.

 

 

However, recently at SCB - when paying into my Wifes account - no ID was requested which surprised me - usually Banks are total ID freaks and we can'd do anything without a form of ID, even when its handing over money !!!!

 

9 minutes ago, flexomike said:

The last year or so they take copies of ID page and permission of stay stamp. Rayong

 

It seems like the Manager of that branch might be a tool.

I've had an issue before at SCB when my passport was at the Embassy for some reason... I had an Old Passport  (clipped) and an Embassy Letter (notairising my ID).

The manager wouldnt accept it.

I had him call head office, I spoke with them on the phone, they said it was fine. 

The manager still wouldn't accept it (loss of face perhaps).

I went two blocks down the road and carried out my transaction with my 'clipped Passport' without any issues at all.

 

Its been my experience that some 'weaker' bank managers are snowflakes and somewhat fearful of anything close to colouring outside the lines - 'cannot' becomes the default response.

[flexomike]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

When making these statements you need to clarify some information to avoid misinformation.

 

How was your Bank Opened: - Using your Passport ?  

IF so, you will (usually) need your Passport for 'at counter transactions'....

 

I Have accounts at SCB (opened with Passport), KTB, and BKK Banks (opened with Pink ID).

 

For SCB 'at counter transactions'.... I need my Passport. 

For KTB, and BKK 'at counter transactions'.... My Pink ID or my Passport will work.

 

 

However, recently at SCB - when paying into my Wifes account - no ID was requested which surprised me - usually Banks are total ID freaks and we can'd do anything without a form of ID, even when its handing over money !!!!

opened with my passport.

[richard_smith237]

33 minutes ago, flexomike said:

opened with my passport.

 

OK - so that makes sense...

 

IF you have the Pink ID and Yellow House Book...   the pink ID can be used to access banking services in the same manner your Passport might be needed... 

 

The convenience is - that you can 'pop into a bank' without your passport - BUT, the trip still often needs to be a 'planned trip' as we often need a our Bank Book too.... 

 

 

To be honest - most banking is done via mobile phone now anyway - so much of this is somewhat of a moot discussion - there's not advantage to a Pink ID here, just a mild layer of additional convenience at times.

[scorecard]

6 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

Plus the fact that a major flaw IMHO is that it contains zilch info on what is surely the most important piece of personal info in the case of us foreigners: namely the date when our current permission to stay expires. Until such time as this crucial piece of info is somehow included in the card - through either a specific "permission to stay expiry" date or even card expiry date matching that when your current permission to stay expires - I certainly don't plan on jumping through all the hoops needed in order to obtain one.

 

If it's a foreigner with PR the card says 'cheewit, meaning lifetime.

[khunPer]

23 hours ago, KhunLA said:

On 5/19/2025 at 11:19 AM, khunPer said:

Advantages are that you have a Thai ID-number – which will be same number as TIN –  and you can use it as both address and picture identification. You'll need to be registered on an address in a so-called yellow house book for foreigners, before you can have an ID-card for a foreigner.

 

Disadvantage are the paperwork that you need to do – including bringing two witnesses to prove whio you are and where you live – the time spend and the cost of an approved offcial translation of you passport's name page.

Office dependent, as I didn't need any of that.

Yes, I mentioned the general requirements – and I had to do more than what I mentioned; the authorities seems to be quite strict where I live...

[unblocktheplanet]

On 5/19/2025 at 4:40 PM, sandyf said:

Not everyone is in that position, and for those that aren't the pink card can be beneficial.

Apart from priority booking on the covid vaccine, I have had free flu vaccine and mobile health clinics.

Where can I find those free Covid & flu jabs, please?

[richard_smith237]

38 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

On 5/19/2025 at 4:40 PM, sandyf said:

Not everyone is in that position, and for those that aren't the pink card can be beneficial.

Apart from priority booking on the covid vaccine, I have had free flu vaccine and mobile health clinics.

Where can I find those free Covid & flu jabs, please?

 

The fact that you're asking that question indicates you are missing the cognitive firepower to navigate the document and information requirements to secure a Yellow House Book & Pink ID in the first place...

 

You've just disqualified yourself from the conversation entirely having rendered your own point moot.

 

 

---------

 

The Vaccines were free to Thai's and foreigners with the Pink ID at the beginning of the vaccine roll out - this was at a time when many (foreigners) were complaining that they had no access to vaccines...   Yet those with Pink ID could register on the Mor Prom App and secure a place in line.

 

- This in itself saved me tens of thousands $$ as it enabled me to travel for work again.

 

- Regular Vaccine roll out, widely available for foreigners (paying) and Thais (also paying) occurred many months later.

 

[Liquorice]

39 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Where can I find those free Covid & flu jabs, please?

Local government hospitals and clinics.

Register your details using either Passport or Thai ID card, and they'll issue a hospital card with an ID registration number.
The card is then all you need to access services.

Free Covid and Flu vaccinations when available.

[Liquorice]

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

If it's a foreigner with PR the card says 'cheewit, meaning lifetime.

All Thai ID cards state 'lifetime' validity when 60 years of age. It's not specific to have PR status.

[bkkniko]

Been trying to do yellow book and pink id for 3 years ( married to thai ) gave all documents, said we will call you when your queue is up. I been calling them once every month and so asking if there is an update, they always replied the same, we will call you back. Never called me. I actually just stopped trying anymore. I guess in some areas its super easy to get and some are not. 

[Liquorice]

8 minutes ago, bkkniko said:

Been trying to do yellow book and pink id for 3 years ( married to thai ) gave all documents, said we will call you when your queue is up. I been calling them once every month and so asking if there is an update, they always replied the same, we will call you back. Never called me. I actually just stopped trying anymore. I guess in some areas its super easy to get and some are not. 

Province?

Local or Provincial Amphoe.

Define 'all documents'.