Define Thai House Book
A 'house book' in Thailand (also called blue book or yellow book or Tar Bian Baan or Tabien Bahn) is the official document administrated by the local government municipality for each registered property in their location stating the exact address where of the particular property is located. The house book is also issued for each unit in a condominium building registered under the Condominium Act, and can also be issued for each unit in an apartment building not registered under the Condominium or for a house.
The house book in Thailand will be issued to the owner of a house, apartment or condominium who will be registered in the house book as the owner of the property and his family members as occupants. In case of a foreign national as the owner of the house (separate from the land) or condominium the government has introduced a yellow book, opposite to Thai nationals who will be issued a blue book. Unless the foreigners is a resident in Thailand he can not be registered in the blue book or Tabien Bahn as the owner, even though he could be the lawful owner of the building.
The legal value of the house book is very limited and the primary function of the document is that it is used to confirm the address of a person. The house book could state who the owner is, but this is not required and legally not relevant as it is just an administrative document, not an ownership document.
For foreigners who do not have a house book the immigration in Thailand can issue a letter of residence which not relates to residency but merely confirms the foreigner stays at a certain address at the time of issuance where he can be reached in Thailand.
