Pink Thai ID card for farangs

[smoooth2]

My apologies if this topic has been discussed elsewhere.

Talked with two good mates today that both have a pink Thai ID card specifically for farangs.

I've seen both of their plastic cards. A sort of "off pink" colour entirely in Thai language, both sides. Similiar in appearance and size to Driver Licence. Your shoulder high head photo (standing in front of height board, like a Police mug shot) is on the front.

Available for free at your local Amphur. 1 visit approx 45 minutes.

You must bring your Yellow Tabien Baan. Take your passport also, just in case, however both my mates said it was not asked for.

They will also fingerprint your thumbs only.

Apparently, the card is valid for 10 years if you're younger than 60. Over 60yo ... the card never expires. Only you do 555

Lets be honest ... none of us really know whether it's a useful piece of plastic until we try to use it, and the way I see it, the more bits of official documentation I have further legitimizing my presence in Thailand .... then good. I'll get one soon.

Maybe I'll never use it, but hey .... it's something for free   

[DeputyDavid]

I use it when asked for passport. I just say Thai ID card, get lots of confused looks but it has worked every time.

[Starman]

Other than opening a bank account and immigration issues, where a passport is required, I can't think of any time I have been asked to show ID.

What others incidents have others experienced?

[smoooth2]

Might be useful at a "dual pricing" venue. We've all been pissed off at some stage by this disgraceful practice.

[DeputyDavid]

Other than opening a bank account and immigration issues, where a passport is required, I can't think of any time I have been asked to show ID.

What others incidents have others experienced?

Banking various types of transactions, hotels, domestic air travel and car purchase are recent instances.

[Freddy]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I don't have the TB so don't qualify but would certainly get one if I did.
I tend to use my Thai DL like an ID card and has worked fine for hotel check-in, car and bike hire, currency exchange, store cards etc.
However, if the ID card is free and a simple process then far better carry this in your pocket.
I try to avoid carrying my passport whenever possible. Far to costly and inconvenient to replace if lost or stolen. The loss or theft of the DL is admittedly less impact but the ID card sounds even better.
I may even re-consider jumping through the hoops for a TB.

[Starman]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I don't have the TB so don't qualify but would certainly get one if I did.
I tend to use my Thai DL like an ID card and has worked fine for hotel check-in, car and bike hire, currency exchange, store cards etc.
However, if the ID card is free and a simple process then far better carry this in your pocket.
I try to avoid carrying my passport whenever possible. Far to costly and inconvenient to replace if lost or stolen. The loss or theft of the DL is admittedly less impact but the ID card sounds even better.
I may even re-consider jumping through the hoops for a TB.

I do most of my banking online. As Freddy says DL is usually sufficient for things. If I flew domestically I would also be flying internationally so would have passport.

Car purchases done in my wifes name.

I guess an ID card would have uses for some but I wont worry until,maybe, it becomes compulsory. I dont even have a yellow house book as I havr no need for one.

[Nobby]

Agree. Until there is no other legal way (like a Work Permit, for instance), I won't
bother either.

[Tod Daniels]

That thai i/d card for "normal foreigners" (not to be confused with the thai i/d card for permanent residence holders) is definitely something worth getting.

FWIW: even if you rent a home or apartment you can request a yellow house book from the owner. That book gives you NO rights other than stating you a foreigner lives at xxx address in thailand.

In Bangkok they cost 60 baht and as has been posted, if you're over 60 you get it for life, if you're under it's good for 10 years.

Here's a thread running on the T/V forum about it.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/945938-thai-id-card-for-foreigners/

Here's a copy of the thai i/d card for "normal foreigners". The reason I use that term is that's what it says on the card in thai;
คนค่างด้าวทั่วไป <- ทั่วไป means all over, everywhere, common, normal