What is Tabien Baan?
Identity cards in Thailand can be issued based on the Tabien Baan, granting access to a wide array of government services such as healthcare, licensing, social security, and taxation. Additionally, this document is beneficial for various banking and financial transactions.
It's important to understand that being listed in a Tabien Baan does not confer ownership of the property. The Tabien Baan is simply a record of individuals officially registered at a specific address. Each Tabien Baan is managed by a "house master," a designated person who authorizes others to register at that address; this person does not necessarily have to be the property owner.
Types of Tabien Baan
There are two main types of Tabien Baan in Thailand:
- Blue Tabien Baan (Thor.Ror 14 or ท.ร.14): Issued to Thai nationals and permanent residents.
- Yellow Tabien Baan (Thor.Ror 13 or ท.ร.13): Available for foreign nationals residing in Thailand without permanent residency.
Despite its benefits, many foreigners do not register for a yellow Tabien Baan, often due to a lack of awareness among both expatriates and Thai officials about its existence.
In recent years, however, the yellow Tabien Baan has gained popularity. Possessing this document provides foreigners with a unique identification number, which can simplify dealings with certain government agencies.
Why Obtain a Tabien Baan?
Without a Tabien Baan, banks and government institutions typically use your passport number as your primary identification. While this is generally sufficient, issues can arise when your passport expires and you receive a new one with a different number. Such discrepancies can lead to complications, especially when attempting to replace lost bank books or credit cards if the identification numbers do not match exactly.
In many situations, having a yellow Tabien Baan eliminates the need to obtain a residence certificate, which is often required for opening bank accounts or applying for or renewing a driver's license.
Requirements for Obtaining a Yellow Tabien Baan
The specific documents required can vary depending on the local district office (สำนักงานเขต), as each may have its own regulations. Generally, you will need to provide copies of the following:
- Personal data page of your passport
- Your birth certificate
- Passport page showing your current Thai visa
- Thai ID card of your spouse (if married)
- Rental agreement (if applicable)
- Blue Tabien Baan of the address where you wish to register
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Two Thai citizens over the age of 20 to act as witnesses
- Basic personal information in Thai script (name, date of birth) and your parents' names, since all entries will be in Thai
You will be registering at someone's residence, and the "house master" must be present to officially grant permission for your registration. In rural areas, you might also need to involve the village headman or "Phu Yai Ban" (ผู้ใหญ่บ้าน).
Occasionally, the district office may request certified translations of any documents not in Thai or issued outside of Thailand, authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As procedures can differ between district offices, it's advisable to check the exact requirements of your local office beforehand.
Processing Time
The time it takes to obtain a yellow Tabien Baan can vary:
- Efficient Offices: In districts familiar with the process, the document can be issued within an hour.
- Less Experienced Offices: In areas where officials are less accustomed to issuing the yellow Tabien Baan, it may take several days. They might need to consult guidelines or obtain signatures from senior officials. You may also be asked to participate in an interview to explain your reasons for registration or to verify marital relationships.
While some offices might be hesitant to issue the document without substantial reason, this is less common in Bangkok and larger cities.
Registration vs. Actual Residence
Do you need to live at the address where you are registered?
Not necessarily. It's common in Thailand for people to be registered at one address but reside elsewhere. Many Thais do not live at their registered address, especially if they've moved for work. Landlords often prefer not to have tenants registered in their Tabien Baan.