The yellow house book.

[tunk]

A falang having the yellow house book...does it give you a leg to stand on if she wants to boot your ass out. I really have no idea what that yellow house book means for me. I mean..for a friend of mine.

[Pragmatic]

I have one. Why? Cuz a few years back the Thai government fcuked up and said farangs with 'Yellow Books' could get free medical treatment, same as a Thai. The book was very awkward to get. Different offices different requirements. Normal Thai thing. Anyways the 'free' medical cover was dropped and the 'Yellow book' became a waste of money. Now if you need 'proof of abode' you can get a 'Pink ID' card from your amphur, free of charge but you need a 'Yellow Book'. And around we go.

Yellow book or not she can boot you out of the house if it is registered in her name.

[OhOh]

Moved from TM 30 thread so as not to disturb the serenity

Due to my MIL dying recently I took my FIL to the local tesseban to get his name noted as the new official owner of the property.

Whilst we were there my FIL asked me if I wanted to be added to his blue house book. My wife's house although connected by a party wall, has it's own number and electrical meter, but no blue book.

I said sure if I can be. The officer confirmed that yes I can be added and gave me a list of documents to collect from various Thai government offices along with a "certified passport document" from the British embassy. The Embassy document requires an additional stamp from the Thai .Minister of Foreign Affairs office,

I am still in the collection phase and will let you know if I am successful.

Years and years here and every day a new onion layer is revealed.

[OhOh]

from the TM 30 tread

This status is probably very unusual for most but as I posted in post #27 (TM30) , I will continue my quest to be included in the house blue book

The requirements list, provided to me by the Tessa Bhan officer as handed to me, consisted of the following:

1 Signed copies of my Passport pages indicating;

a/ Valid visa or extension
b/ Passport picture and details page
c/ latest 90 day reporting page

2 Signed by both myself and my wife valid copies of our Thai Marriage certificates - both halves

3 Signed copies of my Thai Wife's ID card

4 Signed copy of house "owner's" ID card/as named/indicated in the blue house book

5 A stamped and signed letter from one's 90 day reporting Immigration office, confirming my address - Not a TM30

6 A certified copy of my passport from the UK Embassy, this had to be translated into Thai, both also to be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok to be stamped and signed - this can be received either by completing an application form, payment details and passport and posted to the UK embassy or by appointment , both are organised/booked using either an online application for an appointment or downloading the forms and online payment confirmation/postage documents

I used the posting route

I used Express Translations in Bangkok, who advised me of their procedures, took the Certified Passport document and their Thai translation document to the MFA and returned the documents and passport to me by post

7 A local "person of standing" from my home village had to attend and satisfy the officer I was a "good person" My wife suggested out local Moo representative who I had got to know at various times during my stay
She turned up at the office said hellow to me and we left her to the officer
She obviously said the right things!

I was advised to return in 10 days to be handed the house book which would have my name in it

However, when I retuned I was asked for a copy of my Birth Certificate translated into Thai

I utilised the same company and posted off my well aged birth certificate, a few days later it was returned with the requested Thai version duly stamped

I returned to the Tessa Bhan office where the officer checked the names and told me that she was now happy and had all she needed

I now await a call to return to collect the revised blue book

As many have indicated the particular exact requirements will be available from your local officer, which may or may not be expanded during the application procedure

Some replies from posters:

would think this is the norm for 90% off expats living in Thailand.

If what you say is true then the posts may be more useful than I suspected, I did think of starting a thread on the subject but thought it would be of little interest

Possibly I should have limited my assumption to the "more vocal" posters here on TD

They seem to have "invested" in building, renting or buying one or more Thai properties or built a home for their wives and families if working outside Thailand

Which I also assume they have "protected" by it being in their own name and hence have a yellow house book

As a landlord of rented properties how often do the landlords, here on TD, check who is "staying" in their properties?

[bowie]

Use my yellow book in lieu of a "Certificate of Residency", accepted at DLT for auto purchase, registration, DL renewal, etc.

[OhOh]

Pertinent posts from the TM 30 thread

OhOh are you getting a little mixed up regarding the 'Yellow Book'?

It wouldn't be the first time

I was under the impression a foreigner was "awarded" a yellow "house book" as opposed to the blue house book the local receive

It seems there is a demand for clarity on the yellow/blue house book

So as not to disrupt this thread on TM 30 issues I will move this to the, "The Yellow House Book" thread already established

[Luigi]

Quite simply, the yellow house book is an official registration of where you are living in Thailand. It doesn't signify any ownership of the property or anything like that.

You are obliged to be given one, but... it is probably the least uniform procedure in the country. Every office has different rules and requirements, some charge, some don't. Some make it impossible, some make it difficult, some let it be easy. You'll have to go to your amphur/tessabahn and see what they require. Bring printouts and as much information as you can about it, particularly if out in the sticks and it could be some old granny that hasn't a clue what you're talking about.


With the yellow tabien bahn you can also get your pink Thai ID card.

The benefits are:

Can be used instead of Certificates of Residence, which are needed when buying a vehicle, getting/renewing a driving license, etc. (If renewing car and motorbike driving licenses, and buying a new car, you would need 3 CoR's. Think the Brit embassy charges around 3,500thb each at this stage).

Can be used to open a bank account.

No need for the TM30 nonsense.

[OhOh]

Blue book/Yellow book have nothing to do with ownership only residency.
They provide a list of who is officially resident at a particular address

One presumes that if "ownership" of a property is an essential requirement for a foreigner, to obtain a yellow house book, then that doesn't need to be stated

One presumes the foreigner who has the yellow house book is legally responsible for it's accuracy and any foreigners who stay in it, yes?

[Luigi]

One presumes that if "ownership" of a property is an essential requirement for a foreigner, to obtain a yellow house book

It isn't.

It's simply your registered address in Thailand. Ownership of the property, who owns it, has nothing at all to do with it.


As in, zero, zip, nada.

One presumes the foreigner who has the yellow house book is legally responsible for it's accuracy and any foreigners who stay in it, yes?

No. It simply lists the foreigner (who has the yellow house book) as staying at that address.


You seem to think that it has something to do with ownership of the property.

It doesn't.

[Pragmatic]

No need for the TM30 nonsense.

In what sense?

[Luigi]

In what sense?

Because you're registered in the system as being resident at that address.

That is, when you're staying there.

If you leave the province etc etc the hotel will need to do the TM30 nonsense, but when you're staying at the residence listed in the yellow Tabien Bahn, the TM30 isn't required.

[kmart]

Quite simply, the yellow house book is an official registration of where you are living in Thailand. It doesn't signify any ownership of the property or anything like that.

You are obliged to be given one, but... it is probably the least uniform procedure in the country. Every office has different rules and requirements, some charge, some don't. Some make it impossible, some make it difficult, some let it be easy. You'll have to go to your amphur/tessabahn and see what they require. Bring printouts and as much information as you can about it, particularly if out in the sticks and it could be some old granny that hasn't a clue what you're talking about.


With the yellow tabien bahn you can also get your pink Thai ID card.

The benefits are:

Can be used instead of Certificates of Residence, which are needed when buying a vehicle, getting/renewing a driving license, etc. (If renewing car and motorbike driving licenses, and buying a new car, you would need 3 CoR's. Think the Brit embassy charges around 3,500thb each at this stage).

Can be used to open a bank account.

No need for the TM30 nonsense.

Yep, good info, Lu. Got my pink ID card a couple of years ago as a prelim for Thai citizenship.

[Pragmatic]

when you're staying at the residence listed in the yellow Tabien Bahn, the TM30 isn't required.

I beg to differ. If you go away from your, Yellow Book, registered address for more than 24 hours you still have to do a TM 30 upon return. Or am I reading your post wrong???

[OhOh]

Every office has different rules and requirements, some charge, some don't. Some make it impossible, some make it difficult, some let it be easy.

As there appears to be some official Thai interest in ensuring compliance one would have thought anyone liable would ensure they comply

The fact that different office demand additional or less information or have no idea of the "opportunity of income" does not protect the unprotected

No need for the TM30 nonsense.

If one is a property tycoon and rents them out to Thais or foreigners, one presumes one is liable to be raided and charged plus fined, if found to be in non compliance

If one has a Thai property and foreign guests stay overnight, are they obliged to report the fact?

[Pragmatic]

If one has a Thai property and foreign guests stay overnight, are they obliged to report the fact?

I think if the foreigner stays longer than 24 hours. Not 'overnight'.

[OhOh]

You seem to think that it has something to do with ownership of the property

I understand legal ownership of a property is not involved in obtaining a yellow house book

I presume that when a foreigner purchases a property in Thailand it is registered in some Thai government system, which can be legally searched to produce a list all foreign owned properties in a particular policing area

However if the property owner is a foreigner, they are unable to obtain a blue house book, but can obtain a yellow house book allegedly with some difficulty

If the yellow house book, available to foreigners, serves the same purpose as the blue house book, available to Thais, ie the identity of the "house master", along with a list of residents Thai or foreign

This implies they, the property owner/House Master, is responsible for registering foreign 24+ hours stays and presumably any who stay longer, yes?

If so can foreign property owners who rent the properties to Thais, foreigners or either them to stay overnight or longer, expect dawn raids to ensure compliance?

[Pragmatic]

This implies they, the property owner/House Master, is responsible for registering foreign overnight/24+ hours stays and presumably any who stay longer, yes?

Yes.

If so can foreign property owners who rent the properties to Thais, foreigners or either them to stay overnight or longer, expect dawn raids to ensure compliance?

They're only going to act when you visit immigration and they find NO TM 30 stapled in your passport.

[Stumpy]

If you leave the province etc etc the hotel will need to do the TM30 nonsense, but when you're staying at the residence listed in the yellow Tabien Bahn, the TM30 isn't required.

Interesting in that I have never filled out a TM 30 form. Now maybe this is because I am here working but I travel all over Thailand and usually show nothing but my Thai Drivers license as ID. I do not even carry my Passport with me and have not for years. I do keep my WP with me when I am going around for the company.

As for the Yellow Book, It is basically a Resident confirmation nothing more really however it is instrumental in buying vehicles, motorcycles or setting up bank accts in your name. My Yellow book was free ( well except for the 200 bht we gave the Mooban Grand Poohbah to say I am nice neighbor). The process took about 2.5 days as my wife did the running around the area to get the info.

[Luigi]

Interesting in that I have never filled out a TM 30 form.

Why is it interesting, you don't own a property here.

[OhOh]

It apparently is a requirement in Thai law that a Thai has 15 days to become or cease to be included in a Blue House Book

"My personal translation of this part, it is possible that i made errors and anybody is free to correct me:


The House Owner / Master has to notify

1) when somebody moves out of the house, within 15 days

2) when somebody moves in the house, within 15 days "

from a search for "thai blue house book"Presumably if a Thai moves into a property, situated in Thailand, that does not have a blue house book but a yellow house book, they are entered into the yellow house book?

[Pragmatic]

Why is it interesting, you don't own a property here.

And he doesn't visit an immigration office at least once a year.

[Pragmatic]

but a yellow house book, they are entered into the yellow house book?

A Yellow Book is for farangs and a Blue Book is for Thais, basically. There are some farangs with their names in Blue books.

[bowie]

However if the property owner is a foreigner, they are unable to obtain a blue house book, but can obtain a yellow house book allegedly with some difficulty

If the yellow house book, available to foreigners, serves the same purpose as the blue house book, available to Thais, ie the identity of the "house master", along with a list of residents Thai or foreign

Al right - ya made me go look. A few years ago we, but - in accordance with the Thai legal requirements "My Wife the Thai Citizen" purchased a new house in Nonthaburi province. We were issued a blue book, a yellow book and a chanote.

The blue book and the yellow book are absolutely identical except for the color. All the numbers are the exactly the same less the persons ID number. Hers starts with a 3 (thai) and mine starts with a 6 (foreign). Page 1 is house descriptive in both books, she is listed on page 2 of the blue book and I'm listed on Page 2 of the yellow book.

Other than the personal ID numbers being different, the only other difference is the majag (where you come from) in the blue book she comes from her fathers (passed) address, and I, in the yellow book come from america.

In/on the chanote I'm listed in the mortgage holder column.

[Luigi]

However if the property owner is a foreigner, they are unable to obtain a blue house book, but can obtain a yellow house book allegedly with some difficulty

If the yellow house book, available to foreigners, serves the same purpose as the blue house book, available to Thais, ie the identity of the "house master", along with a list of residents Thai or foreign

You're confused again.

The tabien baan doesn't list a house master. It lists who's resident there.

A Thai will not be listed in a yellow tabien baan. They will be listed in a blue one.

A tabien baan is simply registration of who is registered at the property. It does not signify ownership (Thai or Foreign).


Capiche?


Simply registration of who is registered as residents at the property.



Now, foreign ownership. If you own a condo and are listed as such on the chanote. You will need to register a TM30 within 24 hours of an alien arriving to stay there. For most parts of the country this can be done online.


A tenant of a property I own was done for this 2 or 3 years ago, the immigration police were going around checking it, and fining aliens that didn't have it. It actually should have been me (the owner) that paid the fine, but immigration have taken it upon themselves to fine the alien tenant. I was notified after the fact.

[Luigi]

if a Thai moves into a property, situated in Thailand, that does not have a blue house book but a yellow house book, they are entered into the yellow house book?

No.

A blue tabien baan is no big deal to get for a Thai, and no big deal to change to a different one.

Sorry to say, you're reading far too much into what you think it is.


Edit: forgot that I have my daughter registered in a blue tabien baan for a property I own (foreign owned, Thai citizen listed as resident there in a blue tabien baan for the property). Was done in a few minutes a few months ago.