Here's a follow up from this morning's appointment at the tesabahn for my tabien tabn. It actually started last Friday morning with a quick visit to see if I had everything in order (documentation). The official satisfied with the documentation presented scheduled us an appointment for this morning at 0900.

Promptly at 0900, the wife and I were seen. The process took about an hour. The only thing that was asked of me were my parents names, otherwise all other questions were directed at my wife. I presented the following documentation:

-Passport: copy of information page, visa page (Non-Imm O), and a translation of my passport information page.
-Copy of Marriage certificate (ours from US, no translation necessary)
-Copy of wife's tabien bahn (blue), including copies of our children's entry in the tabien.
-Copy of wife's ID.
-Copy of two witnesses ID (witnesses are cousins to my wife and present)

The official organized it together along with the application. Each copy provided had to be signed. I signed all that pertained to me, my wife & witnesses signed whatever pertained to them (copy of ID). Also, signatures were required on the application. That was it, tabien bahn should be ready by the end of the week. No fee mentioned, maybe when I pick up the tabien bahn.

Good deal, papaguido. Thanks for showing how easy it can be.

By the way, there may be another use for the yellow book. When checking in to fly into Thailand, some airlines give you a hard time if you do not have a return ticked for a date prior to the expiration of your visa. Having a 1 year visa, this one makes me nervous at times. Northwest airlines' website says that they accept this book as proof of residence. (Isn't it all written in Thai?).

papaguido wrote:Here's a follow up from this morning's appointment at the tesabahn for my tabien taban. It actually started last Friday morning with a quick visit to see if I had everything in order (documentation). The official satisfied with the documentation presented scheduled us an appointment for this morning at 0900.

Promptly at 0900, the wife and I were seen. The process took about an hour. The only thing that was asked of me were my parents names, otherwise all other questions were directed at my wife. I presented the following documentation:

-Passport: copy of information page, visa page (Non-Imm O), and a translation of my passport information page.
-Copy of Marriage certificate (ours from US, no translation necessary)
-Copy of wife's tabien bahn (blue), including copies of our children's entry in the tabien.
-Copy of wife's ID.
-Copy of two witnesses ID (witnesses are cousins to my wife and present)

The official organized it together along with the application. Each copy provided had to be signed. I signed all that pertained to me, my wife & witnesses signed whatever pertained to them (copy of ID). Also, signatures were required on the application. That was it, tabien bahn should be ready by the end of the week. No fee mentioned, maybe when I pick up the tabien bahn.

Following up on this, yesterday I picked up my yellow book after 5 weeks of waiting. No fee (or tea money) required. Next on my to do list, driving license

What exactly is the yellow book and what is it used for?

Seaserpent wrote:What exactly is the yellow book and what is it used for?

My understanding is it provides proof of residence to the holder of the document. Can be used to purchase a vehicle/motor bike, obtain a drivers license. Some have reported to have used it to enter national parks paying the Thai fee. Apparently sometimes it works and sometimes it don't depending on who one or what is being dealt with.