Every term is shown in Thai first, as it appears on documents, then in English with a short explanation. Jump to a section:
Immigration
- ตม.30TM30
- Notification of residence for foreigners. Your landlord or host files it within 24 hours of you arriving at an address. Read the guide
- ตม.47TM47 (90-day report)
- Notification of staying in Thailand over 90 days. Due every 90 days of continuous stay. Read the guide
- ตม.7TM7
- Application for extension of temporary stay, for example a retirement or marriage extension. The standard fee is ฿1,900.
- ใบอนุญาตกลับเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักรRe-entry permit
- Keeps your current extension of stay valid when you leave Thailand and come back.
- วีซ่า DTVDestination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- A five-year multiple-entry visa for remote workers and soft-power activities, with stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable once. If you stay over 90 days in a row, you still file 90-day reports.
- ใบอนุญาตทำงานWork permit
- Permission to work, issued by the Department of Employment. It is separate from your visa.
- สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง (ตม.)Immigration office
- Where you file extensions, 90-day reports and TM30s. “ตม.” is short for immigration.
Home and property
- ทะเบียนบ้านTabien Baan (house registration book)
- The official record of who lives at an address. Thai nationals are listed in the blue book (ท.ร.14). Foreigners with a valid stay can apply to the local district office for the yellow book (ท.ร.13).
- บัตรประจำตัวคนซึ่งไม่มีสัญชาติไทยPink ID card
- An identity card for non-Thais, usually issued after you are registered in a yellow house book. It is ID, not a visa or work permit.
- โฉนดที่ดินChanote (land title deed)
- The strongest form of land title in Thailand.
- หนังสือกรรมสิทธิ์ห้องชุด (อ.ช.2)Condominium title
- The title document for a condo unit. Ask to see it, or a copy, before renting. Read the guide
- นิติบุคคลอาคารชุดCondo juristic person (juristic office)
- The legal body that manages a condominium building. Its office sends notices about water shut-offs, maintenance, meetings and fees.
- ค่าส่วนกลางCommon area fee
- The owner’s regular charge for building upkeep, usually billed yearly or monthly by the juristic office.
- เงินกองทุนSinking fund
- A one-off contribution paid by a condo buyer at transfer, held for major repairs.
- สัญญาเช่าLease or rental contract
- Leases over three years must be registered at the Land Office to be enforced beyond three years. Read the guide
- เงินประกันSecurity deposit
- Commonly two months’ rent, returned at the end of the lease minus any damage you caused. Read the guide
- ค่าเช่าล่วงหน้าAdvance rent
- Rent paid before the month starts, usually one month.
- สำนักงานที่ดินLand Office
- Registers land, condos and long leases.
Bills and payments
- ใบแจ้งหนี้ / ใบแจ้งค่า…Bill or invoice
- A request for payment, for example ใบแจ้งค่าไฟฟ้า (electricity bill). Read the guide
- ใบเสร็จรับเงินReceipt
- Proof that you paid. Keep it.
- กำหนดชำระDue date
- The pay-by date. It’s written in the Buddhist year, which is 543 years ahead: 2569 = 2026.
- ค้างชำระOverdue / arrears
- An earlier amount is still unpaid.
- ค่าปรับFine or penalty
- For example a late-payment or traffic fine.
- ค่าน้ำประปาWater bill
- Issued by the Provincial or Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, or passed on by your landlord.
- ค่า FtFt charge
- The fuel adjustment charge on electricity bills, reset every four months. It’s ฿0.1623 per unit for September to December 2026. Read the guide
Tax
- ผู้อยู่ในประเทศไทยThai tax resident
- Someone in Thailand for 180 days or more in a calendar (tax) year. Residents are taxed on Thai income, and on foreign income earned from 2024 onward that they bring into Thailand.
- ภ.ง.ด.90 / ภ.ง.ด.91PND 90 / PND 91
- Annual personal income tax returns. PND 91 is for people with employment income only. PND 90 is for everyone else, including people with other or foreign income. Paper returns are due by 31 March, and e-filing usually gets 8 extra days.
- เลขประจำตัวผู้เสียภาษีอากรTax ID number
- Your taxpayer number from the Revenue Department (สรรพากร).
- ภาษีที่ดินและสิ่งปลูกสร้างLand and building tax
- The annual property tax billed by the local municipality or district.
Offices and formalities
- สำนักงานเขต / ที่ว่าการอำเภอDistrict office
- Handles civil registration, house books and ID cards. It’s called เขต (khet) in Bangkok and อำเภอ (amphoe) elsewhere.
- เทศบาลMunicipality
- Local government. It sends land-tax and rubbish-collection bills.
- กรมสรรพากรRevenue Department
- The national tax authority.
- สำเนาถูกต้องCertified true copy
- Written and signed on photocopies you hand in, to confirm they match the original.
- หนังสือมอบอำนาจPower of attorney
- Authorises someone to act for you, for example an agent signing a lease or filing your 90-day report.