Thinking of buying a car in Thailand perhaps a used car or even selling a car? This guide provides you with up to date information on the process for buying or selling cars in Thailand, including the documents required plus where when completed they must be sent to various departments.
There are a high number of car dealerships in Thailand, and most major makes are sold. Cars manufactured in Thailand have a much lower rate of sales tax than imported cars, and are often good value by comparison to luxury imported vehicles. You can in fact get a lot of car for your baht here so do your homework if you are thinking about buying a car in Thailand.
Buying A Car In Thailand – A Rough guide!
All registration procedures and transfers of vehicle ownership are completed at the local Department (DLT). Most new car dealerships will assist with this by issuing all of the necessary paperwork to the DLT.
- For a listing of DLT offices near Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya: Click here
- DLT Head office
At: 1032 Phaholyothin Road, Lardyao, Chatuchak District, Bangkok 10900
Tel: 02 271 8888, English language ext. 4712-4 or for Thai language 1584
Those who are not Thai citizens need to produce the following paperwork for the DLT with copies:
- Current passport
- Non-immigrant visa
- Work Permit or Certificate or Letter of Residence issued by Thai Immigration or the appropriate embassy
Whats A Red Number Plate
A temporary red number plate will be issued when you are buying a car in Thailand, which will be replaced by a standard white permanent plate when the registration process is completed. This should take only one week but can take as long as six, depending on how quickly the car dealership submits the paperwork and the DLT processes it. Bear in mind that vehicles with red number plates can only be driven between the hours of 06:00 and 18:00.
The Blue Book (Lem Tabian)
The new owner will be issued with proof of ownership documents in the form of a registration book called the Blue Book (Lem Tabian), which includes the owner’s name and address. If a car is bought with a loan then the finance company will keep the Blue Book until all monies have been paid; the new owner will be issued with a copy. A window sticker will also be provided by the DLT to indicate that the annual vehicle tax has been paid.
How To Get Car Insurance In Thailand!
Compulsory Motor Insurance (CMI or Por Ror Bor) must also be bought from the DLT, the car dealership or an insurance company. CMI must be renewed annually. Three additional levels of motor vehicle insurance are available in Thailand: 1st class, 2nd class and 3rd class. The three levels indicate the degree of coverage, with 1st class being fully comprehensive.
Car Road Tax in Thailand!
All cars must display a tax sticker on the windscreen as proof that car tax has been paid. When a car is bought, the tax sticker stays on the window and remains valid until it expires, regardless of the owner of the car. Tax must be paid annually at the local DLT office.
To make a car tax payment, take the Blue Book and proof of CMI coverage to a local DLT office.
How To Buy Or Sell A Car In Thailand !
There is a sizable used car market in Thailand. Local and national newspapers publish classified advertisements, both in print and online. Although most of these are in Thai, they provide a point of comparison for pricing.
The following methods can be used to advertise a used car:
- Classified advertisements in papers, such as the Bangkok Post, Phuket Gazette,Pattaya Mail
- Online forums like angloinfo.com and ThaiSecondhand.com
- Placing a sign on the vehicle and parking it in a visible area
Cars can also be sold through a dealership, though these will offer a relatively low price to the seller. All used cars should be accompanied by their Blue Book (Lem Tabian), which shows the owner’s name and address. This book also contains information on previous owners, as well as records of taxes paid on the vehicle. However, finance companies may keep the Blue Book until the car has been paid for in its entirety, so if the seller cannot provide this Blue Book the buyer will need to ensure that any monies due on the car have been paid.
Transferring ownership of a used vehicle is similar to buying a new vehicle. The purchaser and the seller must both complete the transfer of ownership at their local DLT office, although the seller can give power of attorney to a third party. The DLT will check the engine and chassis serial number to make sure the car has not been stolen, so it is strongly recommended that money is exchanged only after this has been checked. The following documents must be provided:
- If an expatriate, the seller or buyer must provide signed copies of their passport, visa and work permit, or official confirmation of residency from either the Thai Immigration Bureau or their embassy
- If Thai, the seller or buyer must provide an ID card and House Registration Document (Tabien Ban)
- The vehicle’s Blue Book must be provided by the seller
- If the car is over seven years old, it has to have passed a roadworthiness test. An up-to-date tax sticker will prove that it has done so
Note: As all documents will be in Thai, it is advisable to have them thoroughly checked by a solicitor or Thai speaker as well as the relevant authorities before making a payment on the vehicle. Be aware that the lack of a Blue Book will make administrative matters and resale extremely complicated, and that its absence may indicate that the vehicle was stolen.
How To Sell Or Buy A Motorbike !
The procedure for buying or selling new and used motorbikes is also carried out at the local Department of Land Transport office. The paperwork required is similar, but a tourist visa will be accepted from those who have a Certificate of Residence issued by the Thai Immigration Bureau or their Embassy.
Owners will be issued with a registration book (Green Book) when the paperwork is complete.
If a motorbike is over five years old, it must pass a roadworthiness test before any transfer of ownership is undertaken. An up-to-date tax sticker will prove that the roadworthiness test has been passed.
How To Import A New Vehicle – Beware Import Taxes!
Privately importing either a new or used vehicle into Thailand is expensive: Thai import taxes and fees on vehicles can add up to around 200 percent of the vehicle’s value.