Buying Motorcycle - New Visa Rules

[rycmai]

i am planning on buying a motorcycle soon. i have a 1-yr, multiple entry, non-immigrant O visa (which means i have to leave the country every 90 days) in chiang mai.

i am aware that i need some letter of residence confirming my address. someone told me that immigration is NO LONGER giving these out to those with non-immi, multiple entry O visas like mine.

can someone confirm this? or have info that this is not true?

does anyone know if the american consulate in chiang mai will issue one (appropriate fee paid, of course)? and if so, with the thai office accept an embassy letter?

also, what else do i need to take to the office in chiang mai (assuming i can get this letter).

thanks

[PeaceBlondie]

Other local posters may have more recent advice, but around October, CMai immigration stopped giving residency certificates to tourist visa holders, but was still giving them to longer term visa holders. You should be okay; take a lease contract or statement from your landlord and see if that works. But if you're buying new from a major dealer, they should know what you need.

[paperwerks]

I just bought a bike 6 weeks ago in BKK. The dealers here were a little confused about what documents are required for a falang. All they needed besides copy of my passport was a letter from the US embassy certifying my address. The US embassy in BKK has this form prepared and ready for you to just fill in and sign. They do not bother to ask for a copy of a lease or any thing like that. You can fill in whatever you want for an address then the embassy staff will just sign it without questioning you. Cost 1200 baht. That was all I needed and now have a Tabian Rot (green registration book) in my name. The shop should take care of all paperwork for you for a little fee. It takes 3 weeks here in BKK to get the book issued in your name. The shop will call you whan it is ready. I never needed anything from immigration. Get the letter from the US embassy and not immigration. Very easy to get.

BTW, you will also need this address certification document for your drivers license.

[rycmai]

i am buying a used bike from another farang who doesnt have a clue what to do...

also, i think the bike is in his girl friend's name... will this be a problem? does she have to sign?

besides the residence certificate, and green book, what else do i need? copies of passport, visa, entry stamp, driver's licence (usa ok, i am told)?

also, any advice on motorcyle insurance (company, coverage) would be appreciated

[stingray]

First you need to see the green book and make sure the frame number and the engine number of the motorbike are the same as in the book. So next step, make sure the roadtax is not expired yet. Than you need a copy of ID Card ans Family paper of the Girl who owns the bike. Both papers she has to sign. She have to sign a document of the ministery of transportation and a power of attorney that you allowed to change the ownership of the bike. Make sure the girl signet in the Registration book. So now make sure that all sugnatures of the girl an all papers are the same. You self need passport copy, 1. page with picture, 2. page with visa, 3. page with expire stamp. Than you need a certificate of living, with 2 pictures. Immigration give you easly, if yoiu show some rental contrct, from your place where you living. There are registration Services in BKK, they teke all the hassles away. I give you the Tel. Number of Mister Bunjirit in Bangkok. 081 723 86 33. Please call him for meeting if you need help. He can check all the papers and do the registration for you. I use him since 10 years. He speaks fluent english. He do all my papers for car and bikes

[rycmai]

just went to immigration to get letter of residence. but since dec 1st, 2006, they NO LONGER ISSUE it to holder's of 1-yr, multiple-entry O visa holders...

so, i guess it is off to the consulate.

what i still don't know is: have the motor vehicle registration office also changed their rules?

also, what is the name of this place - thai name, please.. i know where it is in chiang mai, i just dont know the name of the place to call and ask them.