A pink card (ID card for non-Thai nationals) is an identity card used to confirm who the holder is, while a work permit is the right to work in Thailand. The two are issued by different agencies and serve different purposes, so holding a pink card alone does not mean a person can work legally.
Many employers see a worker holding a pink card and assume their paperwork is complete. This article explains the difference clearly so you do not take on risk without realizing it.
What is a pink card?
The pink card (ID card for non-Thai nationals) is issued by the district registration office or district office (khet) under the Department of Provincial Administration. It is given to migrant workers who have been granted temporary permission to stay in the country, particularly those registered under a Cabinet Resolution.
Key features
- A 13-digit identification number
- Used to prove identity when dealing with government agencies, hospitals and banks
- Has an expiry date, which usually aligns with the period of permission granted under that round’s Cabinet Resolution
- It is not a document granting the right to work, and it is not a travel document
What is a work permit?
A work permit is issued by the Department of Employment (DOE), Ministry of Labour. It is the document that states what work this foreign national may do, for which employer, in which area, and until what date. Applications and renewals are currently submitted through the e-WorkPermit system.
Key features
- States the employer’s name and the type of work
- Has an expiry date based on the type of permission
- Changing employer requires following the proper procedure; the worker cannot simply move to a new job immediately
Side-by-side comparison
| Topic | Pink card | Work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing agency | District office (Department of Provincial Administration) | Department of Employment (DOE) |
| Purpose | Proof of identity | Right to work |
| Names the employer | No | Yes |
| Can one replace the other? | No | No |
| Who usually holds it | Workers in the Cabinet Resolution group | All migrant workers working legally |
Can a worker with only a pink card work?
No. The worker must hold a work permit that has not expired and that names you as the employer (or have proof of an application that has been announced as valid for working while awaiting approval). If an employer hires a worker who holds only a pink card, this may be treated as employing a foreign national without a work permit, which carries a fine of 10,000–100,000 THB per worker.
Where do passports and CIs fit in?
On top of the pink card and work permit, there is another layer: the travel document, meaning a passport or Certificate of Identity (CI), which is used when applying for a visa. Workers in the latest Cabinet Resolution group must obtain a passport or substitute document (such as a CI) and apply for a visa within 90 days of receiving the document, but no later than 30 June 2027 (B.E. 2570). Once a worker has both a passport and a visa, their status becomes more secure and travel is easier.
What employers should check when hiring a new worker
- The original work permit, or the record in the e-WorkPermit system, has not expired
- The employer name on the permit matches your business (or the change of employer has been completed)
- The pink card/passport/CI matches the details on the permit
- The visa or permission to stay has not expired
📋 Quick summary
- Pink card = identity card (issued by the district office)
- Work permit = right to work (issued by the Department of Employment)
- A pink card alone does not allow someone to work
- Always check the work permit and employer name before hiring
Not sure whether your worker’s documents are complete?
Send photos of the card and permit via LINE and Best Friend Visa will check them for free.
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Last updated: 17 October 2026 (B.E. 2569) — regulations may change; please check with our staff before proceeding.