Thai national ID card
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- 1 Thai national ID card、national identity card
This is the standard everyday term for Thailand’s official national identity card.
Thai national ID card、national identity card
An official card containing identifying information, used to verify the identity of a Thai citizen.
Learning notes
Explanation
The word combines บัตร, “card,” with ประชาชน, “citizens” or “the public.” As a fixed expression, it refers specifically to Thailand’s national identity card. It is the common shortened form of the official name บัตรประจำตัวประชาชน and is neutral in ordinary use. The card contains identifying details such as a photograph, name, and national identification number and is used for official identity verification in Thailand. The classifier for the card is ใบ, as in บัตรประชาชนหนึ่งใบ, “one ID card.” Common combinations include แสดงบัตรประชาชน, “show a national ID card,” ทำบัตรประชาชน, “apply for or have a national ID card issued,” and บัตรประชาชนหาย, “lose one’s national ID card.”
Usage
It is commonly used when identity must be verified in Thailand, such as at government offices, banks, hospitals, hotels, or during applications and contracts. It also appears when discussing applying for, renewing, losing, replacing, or copying the card.
Caution
This does not mean identification documents in general. A passport is หนังสือเดินทาง and a driver’s license is ใบขับขี่; neither is called บัตรประชาชน. The card number and copies of the card contain sensitive personal information and should be handled carefully.