Tabien Baan means ‘House Registration’ in Thai. It is a sort of government-issued document that names all foreign nationals with a ‘Temporary Stay’ or ‘Long Stay’ visa/visa exemption. Additionally, it is for those who live at the condo or house address as in the house registration book. This frequently enables you to obtain the Pink ID Card, also known as the Thai ID card for foreigners in Thailand.
Contrary to popular misconception, a yellow Tabien Baan is not proof of property ownership. Actually, the yellow house book will not even register the foreign owner’s details unless they are using the property. Additionally, it must be their primary residence in Thailand.
The Tabien Baan for non-resident foreigners is a little booklet with a bright yellow cover. It has Thailand’s distinctive Garuda imprint on the front. The initials ’ท.ร.13’ signifies ‘Thor Ror 13’. It is the Thai name for the yellow house book which you can see in the upper right-hand corner.
Who issues the Yellow House Book?
When purchasing a house or a condo unit in Thailand, the new owner typically gets the Tabien Baan for the property. This happens during the transfer process at the Land Office. However, in many cases, it will be a blue house book (or ‘Thor Ror 14’) applicable only for Thais and foreigners with permanent residency in Thailand. Moreover, a non-resident foreign owner living in their own condo or house can replace the property’s blue Tabien Baan with a yellow house book.
How to get a Yellow House Book?
Because this is Thailand, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the application requirements for a yellow house book vary greatly from one Thesaban or Amphoe office to the next! So your first step is to find out exactly what paperwork you’ll need from the local registration authorities. Moreover, the applicant must present the original as well as photocopies (signed) of the following documents:
- current passport (containing a valid Thai entry permit)
- work permit (if any)
- marriage certificate together with your Thai spouse’s national ID card and own blue house book (if any)
- lease agreement along with your landlord’s ID and own blue Tabien Baan (if renting the property)
- existing blue house book (if exchanging)
Aside from that, it’s not uncommon for a district or local registration office to seek a notarized copy of the applicant’s passport’s personal information page translated into Thai, as well as a number of passport-style images. You’ll very certainly need to be accompanied by one or two Thai witnesses (each with their own blue home book and national ID card) who will be asked to attest to your identification and residency status before being interviewed informally.
For some foreigners, the entire process is a breeze, while for others, it might be quite the opposite! Even after receiving a Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) instruction manual explaining the ins and outs of issuing a Tabien Baan from Thailand’s Interior Ministry, officials at some district and local registration offices are unwilling or, worse, outright refuse to hand out a yellow house book. We can guarantee you, however, that non-resident foreign nationals are not only legally allowed to have a yellow home book, but that every Thesaban and Amphoe office in the country is required by law to register all foreigners residing in their catchment area!
How much to pay for Yellow House Book?
Though it is fairly uncommon for foreigners to be persuaded to ‘grease the wheels’ before being granted a yellow house book, Thesaban and Amphoe registration offices in Thailand should not charge a single baht to produce or renew a Tabien Baan! Expect to pay a small fee for a replacement if you’ve misplaced or damaged your yellow home book.
What is the tenure of issuance of Yellow House Book?
Foreigners can usually pick up their brand new yellow Tabien Baan within an hour or two of submitting the required paperwork. Even so, the mileage may vary, and it may take longer (up to several weeks or even months) to resolve if, for example, the registration office dealing with the application is unfamiliar with the procedure!
What details are there in Yellow House Book?
The whole address of the property, as well as the residence type, is on the first page of the book. It is fully in the Thai language both for a condominium or a house. It contains the following details of the ‘Householder’, or the owner of the property:
- Full name
- Nationality
- Unique 13-digit citizen ID number
- Date of birth
All these details are on the second page, while the subsequent pages detail every additional non-resident foreign occupier (‘Dependent’) who lives at the same address.
What are the Benefits of a Yellow Housebook for Foreigners in Thailand?
Unlike Thai nationals who have a blue house book, foreigners in Thailand who have a yellow Tabien Baan do not have any additional privileges (such as the right to vote). However, it has acceptance throughout Thailand as a valid address verification document. You can use it in the following processes:
- Registering for a Thai pre-paid SIM card.
- Setting up a home broadband service.
- Obtaining a Thai driver’s license.
- Enrolling as a patient at a hospital or clinic.
- Purchasing a vehicle.
- Transferring ownership of the real estate.
- Checking into a hotel or for an internal flight.
- Opening a Thai bank account.
- Connecting to the mains electricity or water supply.
Furthermore, it entitles the holder to the Thai fee at places (such as National Parks) that impose two-tier entrance charges. This makes them eligible for a Pink ID Card for foreigners. Furthermore, this gives them a sense of belonging to Thai society. And every foreigner considering applying for Thai citizenship must have their own yellow house book, or, risk becoming an ‘alien’ in the Kingdom for the rest of their lives!
It is always wise to obtain all types of documents of the location you are planning to stay permanently in. Whether you are a Thai or not, you must have the Tabien Baan or the Yellow House Book. This is to certify and attest to your existence in Thailand. For all types of assistance in the process, mail us at [email protected].
