The pink card is Thailand’s identity card for non-Thai persons. It gives some foreign residents and registered migrant workers a Thai identification number and an official card to show at government offices, hospitals and banks. It is not a visa, a work permit or a route to Thai nationality. This guide explains who may qualify, what to bring, what it costs, and what the card can and cannot do.
မြန်မာဘာသာဖြင့် ဖတ်ရန် – ထိုင်းနိုင်ငံရှိ ပန်းရောင်ကတ် လမ်းညွှန် (မြန်မာဘာသာ)
What Is the Pink Card?
The pink card’s official name is the identity card for non-Thai persons (บัตรประจำตัวคนซึ่งไม่มีสัญชาติไทย). District and local registration offices issue it under rules set by the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA). The main rules are in the Civil Registration Act B.E. 2534 (section 48) and the Central Registration Office regulation on non-Thai identity cards of 2019 (B.E. 2562).
It is a separate document from the blue Thai national ID card, which only Thai citizens can hold, and it does not have the same legal status. See our guide to the Thai national ID card for how the blue card works and how Thai citizens replace a lost one.
Who Can Get a Pink Card?
Eligibility depends on your immigration status and how you are registered in the Thai civil register. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s registration operations manual treats these as separate categories, each with its own document list.
Foreigners Granted Residence (Permanent Residents)
Foreigners granted residence in Thailand under immigration law can apply at the district registration office where their name is in the house registration (DOPA service guide). Bring:
- your house registration document
- your residence certificate and alien registration book
- your old card, if you are renewing or replacing one
Foreigners Permitted to Stay Temporarily
Foreigners permitted to stay in Thailand temporarily, whose name has been added to a Thai house registration (usually the yellow house book, ท.ร.13), may also apply. The main document is your passport, plus any other official ID the office asks for.
Being listed in a yellow house book does not automatically entitle you to a pink card. District offices decide each application against your registration category, and requirements vary between offices. Owning a condo or being married to a Thai national does not create eligibility on its own. Our guide to house registration in Thailand explains how foreigners get listed in a house book in the first place.
Registered Migrant Workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia
Migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia who are registered under a Cabinet resolution are a large group of pink card holders. For this group, DOPA lists:
- a certificate from the Department of Employment
- existing registration papers, such as an earlier card, passport or health check
- a passport or substitute travel document. For many Myanmar workers this is a CI (Certificate of Identity)
- the house registration and Thai ID card of the person who vouches for you
- a birth certificate, for a child’s first card
This is an illustrative list, not a definitive checklist. The exact documents depend on the Cabinet resolution that covers you, so follow the Department of Employment announcement for your registration scheme.
2026 update: on 14 July 2026 the Cabinet approved extending the work permits of registered workers from Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam that expire on 11 December 2026, by one year to 11 December 2027 (Government Public Relations Department). It applies only to workers already registered in the system, and it is not a new registration round. Workers must also obtain a passport or substitute travel document and a visa by 30 June 2027. Cambodian workers are not covered by this extension.
How Much Does a Pink Card Cost?
- Fee: 60 baht.
- Free: the first card for a child under 15, and replacement of a card lost or damaged in an officially declared disaster area.
- Deadline: apply within 60 days of becoming eligible (for example, being added to the register or a child turning five), or of your card expiring, being lost or being damaged. Bangkok’s registration manual states a fine of up to 5,000 baht for missing the deadline.
How Long Does It Take?
DOPA lists about 15 minutes at the counter once your documents are accepted. Getting to that point can take longer if the office needs to check your registration or immigration status.
What Can You Use a Pink Card For?
A pink card gives you a 13-digit Thai identification number and an official card to prove who you are. Depending on each institution’s own rules, it may help with:
- identity checks at hospitals and government offices
- opening a bank account or signing a phone contract
- signing a lease on a condo for rent in Bangkok
Banks and phone companies set their own know-your-customer rules, so they may still ask for your passport and visa.
What a Pink Card Does Not Do
- It is not a visa. You still need valid permission to stay, and your 90-day report still applies.
- It is not a work permit. Migrant workers still need a valid work permit to work legally.
- It does not give Thai nationality. DOPA has publicly confirmed this.
- It does not replace your passport for immigration purposes.
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Information checked: October 2026. Government procedures, fees and eligibility rules change. This guide is general information, not confirmation that you qualify. Confirm your own case with your district registration office.
