For many years,  we have heard that foreigners don't have to carry the passport at all times,  a picture of the passport in the phone (or a photocopy) would be sufficient. 

 

Recently,  I have witnessed several times how Thais used a photo of an ID card in their phone.  Sometimes the photo is inside an official-looking app (forgot the name). But at least in one case I happen to know that the photo has been doctored.

 

Is it normal nowadays for Thais to use a photo instead of the real ID?

Does anybody use a photo of his DL or of the pink card instead of the real thing?

 

 

You can use the DLT QR app as a driving licence / ID

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

You can use the DLT QR app as a driving licence / ID

Interesting. 

I tried it, didn't work for me, but from the Google reviews it seems to work for some people. 

Is there a similar app for a Thai ID card or a pink card?

Or is it acceptable for Thais to use only a photo of the ID card for identification

1 hour ago, Lorry said:

Interesting. 

I tried it, didn't work for me, but from the Google reviews it seems to work for some people. 

Is there a similar app for a Thai ID card or a pink card?

Or is it acceptable for Thais to use only a photo of the ID card for identification

The QR licence works for me, don't know about a separate Thai ID app

I've used the digital version of important items for years and never had an issue, that said, this is the land of inconsistency, just because it worked before doesn't mean it will work again, depends entirely on the person asking at the time.

 

Copies of : Passport/pink ID, Driving licence and visa page.

 

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

digital version of important items

I have seen Thais with just a photo of their ID (one of them I happen to know doctored the ID picture), and with the photo inside an official looking app.

When you say "digital version", do you mean just a photo or something like the DLT QR app?

 

BTW my photo of passport was (only) once rejected,  they wanted the real passport. ( I think it was AIS but I can't really remember)

11 hours ago, Lorry said:

Recently,  I have witnessed several times how Thais used a photo of an ID card in their phone.  Sometimes the photo is inside an official-looking app (forgot the name).

 

Official app here......https://www.bora.dopa.go.th/app-thaid/

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

 

Official app here......https://www.bora.dopa.go.th/app-thaid/

Wow.

Yes, I think this is what I have once seen.

So I would conclude: 

- if a Thai shows me his ID in this app, it's legitimate

- if a Thai who isn't here,  eg an absentee landlord, sends me his ID as a signed photograph in line, it may very well be legitimate,  because he can't do this with the official app

- if a Thai stands in front of me and shows me as ID a photo on his phone,  not the official app - probably fishy? or just lazy?

On 5/18/2025 at 5:06 AM, Lorry said:

I have seen Thais with just a photo of their ID (one of them I happen to know doctored the ID picture), and with the photo inside an official looking app.

When you say "digital version", do you mean just a photo or something like the DLT QR app?

 

BTW my photo of passport was (only) once rejected,  they wanted the real passport. ( I think it was AIS but I can't really remember)

AIS did want my original PP when I changed my SIM card a few years ago. The staff member assured me that he'd lose his job if he acted on any sort of a copy.

In a situation where I and/or someone else will be signing lots of pieces of paper ( immigration, bank, phone company, hospital), I take the actual passport. For everything else, photos on my phone seem to be enough. 

 

I carry my actual ID cards with me. I have a photo of my passport and the relevant pages, and my yellow book, in my phone. I've never been asked for them, I can tell you, however, that a photo doesn't work for you at the bank, at least not at my bank, Krungsri. Whenever I do something other than just a deposit or withdrawal, I have to have my actual passport. 

Will hotels accept digital copy of passport and visa page 

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

Will hotels accept digital copy of passport and visa page 

 

They might, especially if you have a good explanation. I did check in without my original passport sometimes when my passport was at an embassy for visa purposes. 

I have not carried my passport in Thailand for over twenty years, and it’s never been an issue. 

Topic of my OP was not so much photos of passport of a foreigner. 

I know about this. 

 

Topic was photos of Thai ID cards (and of pink card or DL).

By far the best answer came ftom @Upnotover

And I think a simple photo of an ID card in the phone is not  usually considered sufficient identification (by police, hotels, in business) - or am I wrong? 

12 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Will hotels accept digital copy of passport and visa page 

 

 

They will....and they will accept a digital copy of your Thai DL.