Advice, Should I Register Yellow Book At Our House, Or My New Condo?

[allan400]

Hi, I have just purchased (in my own name) a small condo in Bangkok to rent out, or for personal use later, whatsoever. With the condo comes a blue book. My issue is, I don't know if it's better I register in a Yellow book at the condo, or should I do it at our permanent address, at out house.

Background info:

Our famlily (married with Thai wife kids) stay at our house (in my wife's name) in the outskirts of Bangkok. I have not yet obtained a Yellow book. This is the place we live.

The condo is in my own name. But I know there are some tax rules, regarding re-sale of condo/house. If you don't live in the condo for at least 1 year, then you must pay some extra tax when you sell. This is why I was thinking it's better to have my name in the Yellow book. At least that's proof that I stay there (even though I live at our house).

Some thoughts:

1) If I register in Yellow book at my condo, then I get advantage regarding tax (re-sale).

2) If I register in Yellow book at our house, then it's my true address (proof of address), not just the condo where I don't stay.

Not sure what other people are doing, if your family own more than 1 residence? Especially if your wife is the owner of the place you stay. Any opinions would be appriciated, thanks.

Br

Allan

[InterestedObserver]

What's the pressing need for you to have a yellow housebook anyway? Other posters have reported obtaining a yellow housebook and then never using it. Thai's by law have to be included in a blue housebook to legalize their address, no such law covering the yellow housebook for farangs. If you rent out the condo, then how are you going to claim it as your primary residence anyway?

[loverboy44]

The yellow book i used to buy a car and a bike in my name.

It's a prove of residence for a foreigner.

Anyway if i were you i would get a yellow book at an adress that i own.

Noone knows what's happening in the future and if there are such taxes you can avoid them that way as well.

I don't see any reason to register it at your wife's place.

[Riley'sLife]

You should register for the Yellow Book at your wife's place because that is where (presumably) you have as your address in Thailand and the address you write on your TM47 90 day Report to Immigration. Never worth trying to bend the rules in Thailand (or anywhere else for that matter) as things have a nasty habit of returning to get you later! Often when you have forgotten why you bent the rule in the first place.

Keep it simple, keep it truthful, then you will always have less stress.

I bought a couple of new cars and several motorbikes before I had my Yellow Book without any problem. I have had my Yellow Book now for 5 years and used it once...ironically, in Singapore to open a Bank Account, and that wasn't necessary as I had plenty other address verification to accompany it. Don't remember why I bothered getting the Yellow Book. Just seemed like agood idea at the time!

Added by edit: I would say the Yellow Book is Proof of Address, and not proof of Residence. Residency is a legal term usually implying the country in which you reside and to which you pay taxes. If I'm wrong then I don't want a Yellow Book!!!

Edited September 28, 2009 by Riley'sLife

[loverboy44]

I think you only paid for the cars and motorbikes but did not buy them in your name.

A small difference.

[PattayaParent]

Why would you doubt that he has bought cars and motorbikes in his name?

[loverboy44]

Because you need a proof of residence to do so. Which is a yellow book.

By the way. What is that, that i need my yellow book, which is completely in Thai without one roman letter to open a bank account in Singapore. Bullshit!

[PattayaParent]

But a yellow book is not the only proof of residence.

Nobody that I know that owns cars and or motocy has a yellow book

[loverboy44]

If you don't have a yellow book then you don't have a registered residence. If you don't have a registered residence you can buy a car but not in your name.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

I don't have a Yellow book and I have a car registered in my name and a bank account and a credit card.

The yellow book might make it easier but not mandatory.

[InterestedObserver]

If you don't have a yellow book then you don't have a registered residence. If you don't have a registered residence you can buy a car but not in your name.

Not so, I bough and registered a car in my name without a yellow book. I also have a five year Thai drivers license. Whoever told you that you cannot buy and register a motor vehicle in a foreigners name without a yellow book is mistaken. Immigration and/or your embassy will issue you a residence certificate that documents your address. There is no requirement for a yellow book, it's optional!

[Riley'sLife]

Loverboy, you really do need to improve your English comprehension. In my post I didn't write that I NEEDED my Yellow Book at the Singapore Bank. I wrote that I used it once, but clearly stated that it wasn't required even on this one occasion. The point being made was that possession of a Yellow Book is totally unnecessary and that even the Bank preferred other Thai script documentation for Proof of Address. No point explaining "irony" to you, is there? (Rhetorical question!!!)

As for your "Bullshit" comment - Every single Bank in Singapore has staff able to communicate fully in THAI. When opening an account, proof of address is required. How do you imagine a Thai National will provide that? ….Thai script document..what a surprise for you!

I specifically asked the Singapore Bank what they required for proof of my address in Thailand and they included Yellow Book in their list of acceptable documentation. In the event it wasn't required by the Bank as I had numerous other documents in Thai script which they photocopied as Proof of Address. If you read this ... s l o w l y , maybe you will understand this time.

Now for the REAL Bullshit…You say that you can only register cars and motorbikes in your own name in Thailand if you have a Yellow Book. You are deluded. Not only is it complete and utter nonsense, but it is a disservice to board members for you to peddle such errrrr…”Bullshit” !!.

How do I know? I have several vehicles currently registered in my own name and on every occasion each registration in my own name has been achieved without the use of a Yellow Book.

Additionally, for each vehicle I have a separate stamped, embossed and signed letter from the Head of the LTAVehicle Registration Dept confirming my LEGAL OWNERSHIP of each vehicle, written in both Thai script and English showing the vehicle registration details in both Thai and English letters and numerals - all obtained without a Yellow Book. I have numerous friends with cars registered in their names, none have Yellow Books.

The reality is that a Yellow Book is just one of the documents that the LTA accepts as Proof of Address.

Proof of Address can be evidenced by many documents, not all of which are accepted by all Thai Authorities. A substantial minority of foreigners in Thailand have vehicles registered in their own name, and have achieved this without having a Yellow Book. Indeed many have no idea what a Yellow Book is. Yes, I have one, but thus far have failed to find a use for it

……unbelievable that you criticize others on this forum for posting hearsay and rumours.

[allan400]

Dear all,

Thanks for all replies. Appreciate all the various opinions. I tend to agree with Riley'sLife, that it's better in the long run to register at my wife's house (our family's house), as you never know if the non-true address at my condo will be a problem later. Actually we stayed for 5 years here at our house in Rangsit, but I never registered in any yellow book. I will do now, as I found from this web site it's not that complicated at all.

Also I have 1 car in my name and Thai driving license. A work permit or residence certificate from embassy is enough. For me I just used my work permit only.

Br

Allan

[loverboy44]

I think i have to appologize to many people as i had a work permit a driving licence and all the necessary documetns needed that i was told that is necessary.

Noone knwos in this country what is real as you have to make an update every day.

Sorry to say that if someone says that you need yor yellow book to open a bank account in Singarpore in any way, it is wrong.

Anyway, i don't want to start a war.

[Riley'sLife]

Calling anyone’s post “bullshit” is inflammatory Loverboy, but never more so when you post unreliable information at the same time.

Seems your first language isn’t English – at least I hope not (!!) – as you still insist on repeating that somewhere someone posted that a Yellow Book is NEEDED to open a bank account in Singapore. I certainly did not state this. Jeez….life’s too short…..why bother…..

[Milo]

If you don't have a yellow book then you don't have a registered residence. If you don't have a registered residence you can buy a car but not in your name.

Obviously deluded, of course you can obtain proof of residence from immigration, just need to show up with a copy of the wife's/landlord's blue book and they'll rattle you off a standard letter. The only time you can't buy in your name is if you're on a tourist visa, allegedly. Immigration tried to prevent me from having the pickup in my name while still on this visa when I first arrived by saying they couldn't provide it for this purpose. However, my friend told them it was none of their business what the letter was for, just that I required one and it was their responsibility to provide it, no matter the purpose. Toyota themselves then tried to simply put it in the G/f's name, I baulked when they were having her sign ALL the paperwork. "Just for insurance" they said so I acquiesced until I saw the delivery note, and promptly grabbed my cheque, returning it to my pocket! They got the message, a flurry of paperwork reprinting everything, my name on the documents in English, and oddly enough she wasn't required to sign a flaming thing second time around? Was it legal? I still don't know but the blue vehicle book has my name on it.

Admittedly the yellow book is invaluable for me running a business here, I use it 2-3times a year, doors seem to open when it's on the desk in front of them, even if not a requirement for that particular application. Though can hardly see you needing it if the blue book for your condo is in your name? As you suggest, getting it on the family's address would be better.

[loverboy44]

Mr Riley's,

heavy metal that you are throwing. Does it matter if english is my first language?

It matters that noone is interested in your yellow book in Singapore nakrap.

I am working here!

I am out of this "bullshit" now.

Have fun nakrap!

[cheshiremusicman]

Because you need a proof of residence to do so. Which is a yellow book.

By the way. What is that, that i need my yellow book, which is completely in Thai without one roman letter to open a bank account in Singapore. Bullshit!

The 'Blue Book' was perfectly acceptable when purchasing a car some two years ago, why keep arguing the fact? By the way what is this word 'noone' that you keep using?