Glossary · Buildings, land and paperwork
House registration book
Also called: Tabien Baan
In short
The local authority's register of an address and the people who live at it. Every home has one. It is not proof of ownership; the title deed is.
What it means
Each house and condominium unit in Thailand has a registration book issued by the district or municipal office, listing the address and its registered residents. The blue book is for Thai nationals and permanent residents, the yellow book for other foreign residents.
What it is used for
- As proof of address for utilities, a driving licence, a vehicle registration and some bank services.
- It also affects whether a home counts as its owner's main residence for the land and building tax.
What to keep in mind
Being named in a house registration book does not make anyone the owner, and an owner does not have to be named in it. At transfer you receive the book for the unit, usually with no resident entered. Whether a foreign owner can be entered depends on their immigration status and the local office.