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The Pink ID Card – A Guide for Foreign Nationals

Yes, it's true. There is an ID card for foreigners. And best of all, it's pink!

Having this little known form of identification means you don't have to carry your passport around with you to prove who you are, even though most people don't do that anyway, despite it being a legal requirement.

For the record, you are supposed to carry your passport at all times, and photocopies aren't accepted.

As you might have guessed, to get your hands on this Pink ID Card, there are a number of hoops to jump through.

In this FAQ, I'll detail all you need to know.

thai-pink-ID-card-example

What is a Pink ID Card?

This pretty little card is an official form of identification for non-Thai nationals living in Thailand long term. Those with permanent residency, and long-stay expats (O visa, etc) are eligible. The card also provides a form of ID for stateless persons.

How do You Get a Pink ID Card?

To get the ID card you need to have a Thai ID number. The way to obtain this number is by getting the Yellow Book Tabien Baan (see this article).

Basically, you register your place of residence at a local district office and receive a yellow house book with your name listed as an occupant. This book comes with an ID number.

Thai nationals and permanent residents get a blue book with their ID number inside.

Once you have your ID number, you're ready to apply for your Pink ID Card.

Required Documents

Here's the list of documents that you'll need to take with you to a local district office, known as an amphur. Every town has one.

  1. Passport (with visa inside): You'll need copies of the photo and visa page, which you'll have to sign.
  2. Your work permit (if you have one)
  3. House registration book (yellow or blue Tabien Baan)
  4. Marriage certificate (if you have one)
  5. Permanent residency books (if it applies)
  6. Birth certificate of Thai children (if you have any)

Please note that this list represents the standard requirements; however, your local district office may request additional documentation.

How to Apply?

As previously mentioned, you need to go to a district office in your place of residence.

On the day, in addition to your documents, you will require two Thai nationals as witnesses to the application. They will require ID cards to verify their status.

The witnesses will be verified and your documents processed. Once verified, the officer will take a picture for the photo card, and take your fingerprints to put on file.

Cards are usually issued the same day, though at busy times you may have to return to collect the card a couple of days later. In some instances, cards can take up to 30 days to process.

How Much Does a Card Cost?

The fee for the Pink ID Card is a very reasonable 60 Baht, and remains valid for 10 years.

When the card expires, simply visit the same district office to renew it. You will have your photograph and fingerprints taken again and be issued with a new card. The renewal fee is 60 Baht.

Pink ID Card Benefits

The ID card doesn't provide any significant benefits. However, it does get around the need to carry your passport, which, as a foreign national, is required by law.

You should be able to fly domestically using this card, too, as Thais do with their ID card. At least that's the legal theory. I haven't got a card, so I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried this.

It used to be the case that having a Pink ID Card meant that you would be charged the “Thai price” at national parks and historical sites. If you didn't know, Thai nationals pay up to 10x less than foreign nationals for entry at such places.

However, this doesn't seem to be the case anymore, certainly not at Doi Inthanon or Khao Yai. You may find that you get the concession at smaller, local places, but since the card doesn't make you Thai, I wouldn't bank on it.

In Summary

Is the Pink ID Card worth having? Probably not, unless you had to get a Yellow Tabien Baan book, in which case you might just go the extra mile and get the ID Card.

It does serve as an easy way to identify yourself, and potentially as a way to fly domestically, which is useful if you've lost your passport. Other than that, it's just a pretty form of ID that makes you feel a little more “Thai”.



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  1. Steven says

    I lived in Thailand for almost 13 years and during that time acquired car and motorbike licences, work permit, and the Yellow book, which I have jrld for slmost 10 years. I am also the natural father to a Thai daughter.

    However, I nolonger live at the address and currently in the UK.

    My question:

    Although I nolonger live at the Thai address associated with the Yellow book is it possible to obtain an ID card, and if so coiuld the application be conducted on online?
    Reply

  2. Andreas Schroeder says




    When joining the free (government) healthcare program (I'm married to a Thai government teacher), I was told that a yellow book was needed. Since I already had a yellow book I decided to apply for a pink card. The yellow book is hard to get, but the card is easy once you have the book. But really, there isn't any use of this card; I don't get the Thai price at national parks. Even at places such as Samut Prakan crocodile farm and Ayutthaya Floating market (free for Thais) I was being told to pay the price for foreigners. So I just left then.

    In conclusion, it's not worth the hassle to get the yellow book (which is a prerequisite for the pink card) since there are no real benefits. That is unless you are married to a Thai government official, because then you can get free healthcare at government hospitals. And they want to see the yellow book.

    There are a few places where they will accept the pink ID card, such as Amazing Park (Suan Siam) in Minburi, Dream World and Noong Noch Garden in Pattaya. But those places also accept work permits, so I don't really see the need for a yellow tabien baan if you are just interested in entering certain attractions for the Thai price.
    Reply

  8. Simon says

    I like to flash the pink when checking into hotels, buying metro cards, entering national parks. Mostly it works, play dumb if you are also asked for your passport; say this is a legal Thai identification and you do not have your passport with you. This often works.
    Reply

    • Martin1 says

      Excellent advice!
      Thank you, Simon! :-)))

      BTW: when it comes to national parks, or checking in, a Thai driving license also works in most cases. :-)
      E.g. me: I flew three time this year (return flights), and I have stayed a couple of times in hotel before I had the pink Thai ID card, only one (!) hotel personnell wanted to see my passport.
      Reply

  9. Martin1 says

    Schreiben TK.


    Good topic and worthwhile read. :-)
    Here's a couple of things that should be added:

    - Fun fact: the US "Green Card" is also pink (and the S.F."Golden Bridge" is red ;-) ).
    - With the Thai pink ID card you can in addition check in into hotel w/o your passport. Same applies at airline counters.
    But both at airline counters and hotel mostly I was albe to check in with my Thai driver's license. They just want to see either a photo ID - or a passport.
    - In regards of now having a registered Thai citizen ID number, you should go to all of your banks and let update your customer information. This will save you a lot of hazzle if you renew your passport and the banks will no longer see you as their customer because the passport number has changed.
    But the pink card is optional, and I will also view the Yellow Book article.
    - The validity is 10 years. After becoming 60 yo the validity is lifetime.
    - I wasn't required two have two witnesses when obtaining my Thai pink ID card - but that may be well different in each district office. This is Thailand.
    - Fingerprints are collected electronically.
    - Regarding "Is the Pink ID Card worth having? Probably not, unless you had to get a Yellow Tabien Baan book, in which case you might just go the extra mile and get the ID Card."
    The Yellow Bokk is a prerequisite to getting a Thai pink ID card.
    For me alone having the right to leave the passport at home, and to avoiding hassle with banks, it is more than worth having both a Yellow Book and a pink ID card. (It does not make me gay... ;-)
    Reply

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