Percy Penguin Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 I spend about 5-6 months a year in Thailand. The crazy rates of tax are putting me off buying a bike - it wouldn't get used all that much anyway, but would still be good to have. If I bring a bike with foreign plates in (say it's registered in Laos or Vietnam or Malaysia) can I keep it in Thailand that long, or would I be asking for trouble? I think the answer is I'd be asking for trouble... wondered if anyone had any experience though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jackdd Posted June 1, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 1, 2019 http://www.customs.go.th/content_with_menu1.php?ini_menu=menu_individual_submenu_02&ini_content=individual_F01_160909_01_02&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individual_submenu_02_160421_03_160922_01 Allowed period for the vehicles to remain in Thailand is one month, which may be extended to another one month for each time of request, but not exceeding six months in total from the date of import. However, this must not exceed the period of stay allowed by the immigration offices. But they may ask you to pay a bond for the duties which you would have to pay if you don't export the vehicle again, good luck trying to get this back when you leave the country... 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Percy Penguin Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 Yeah, that's quite a catch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asawak Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 "The crazy rates of tax are putting me off buying a bike." If that is the main reason for not buying a bike in Thailand then it depends if you have a special bike in your mind like BMW, KTM, 1000ccm and above. Then it's getting difficult. If you are looking for a bike, racing, touring, 650 ccm (Honda, Kawasaki, about Yamaha I'm not sure) then you have some choices to get a bike that will cost you around the same as in Europe. There also some foreigners, like myself who are selling their bikes that have been well maintained. I sold a Kawaski with less than 10k kilometers for 70% down from the new price and soon I will sell another Honda with less than 7k kilometers. Maybe you can just look around and you will find a bike that suits you. That might be a more economical solution. Good luck! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavideol Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 16 hours ago, Percy Penguin said: Yeah, that's quite a catch... last year didn't some research regarding same issue but with a car from Malaysia (same model selling in Thailand are also from Malaysia) went to police, land transportation and couple other places to aks for the charges and what time frame could I drive with plates from Malaysia,,, final outcome stay away from it, you will be running into trouble and so much extra charges/taxes they are not worth the price difference buying in Thailand VS outside 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chongalulu Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Asawak said: "The crazy rates of tax are putting me off buying a bike." If that is the main reason for not buying a bike in Thailand then it depends if you have a special bike in your mind like BMW, KTM, 1000ccm and above. Then it's getting difficult. If you are looking for a bike, racing, touring, 650 ccm (Honda, Kawasaki, about Yamaha I'm not sure) then you have some choices to get a bike that will cost you around the same as in Europe. There also some foreigners, like myself who are selling their bikes that have been well maintained. I sold a Kawaski with less than 10k kilometers for 70% down from the new price and soon I will sell another Honda with less than 7k kilometers. Maybe you can just look around and you will find a bike that suits you. That might be a more economical solution. Good luck! Given that 2nd hand scooters (110/125cc)sell for not much less than new price why are the bigger bikes you refer to at such a discount? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoorSucker Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 On 6/1/2019 at 10:36 AM, jackdd said: http://www.customs.go.th/content_with_menu1.php?ini_menu=menu_individual_submenu_02&ini_content=individual_F01_160909_01_02&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individual_submenu_02_160421_03_160922_01 But they may ask you to pay a bond for the duties which you would have to pay if you don't export the vehicle again, good luck trying to get this back when you leave the country... Thousands of bikers arrive in Thailand from Malaysia every month without problems. Only on Samui I an see Malay numberplates arrive every weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoorSucker Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Friend of mine had a Moto Guzzi registered in Singapore. He had to take the bike for a border run to Malaysia every three months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain 776 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Until u get caught Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ54 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Wish there was an easy way that didn’t have such an uptick in prices.... sucks not having a bike you really enjoy but crazy pricing is a road block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skallywag Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 (edited) Some bikes are not taxed or licenced, need no gas or oil . They are human powered and give you plenty of exercise = 55 Edited June 2, 2019 by Skallywag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flbkk Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Carnet https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATA_Carnet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaRoadrunner Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 (edited) 35 minutes ago, flbkk said: Carnet https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATA_Carnet Yeah, but this is Thailand, what's the betting Somchai the Customs man would require a brown envelope or impound your bike. The purchase price here is high, but this is not so bad once you consider that the resale price later reflects this. Main problem with buying bikes here, if it's a used one, they often have bent frame and forks, which Somchai will have tried to hide. Edited June 2, 2019 by DaRoadrunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazykopite Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 (edited) We see many bikes and cars from neighbouring countries on the islands , recently on KP was in the region of 20 classic mini coopers some with U.K. number plates some with Singapore and Malaysian plates I can only assume that they get some sort of short stay permit if they enter Thailand . On Samui I have seen a few cars with U.K. plates one of them an old Merc has been on the island at least 7 years don’t know what would happen if they took it over to the mainland . I had a Triumph Stag Convertible that I wanted to bring over from the U.K. the import tax was extortionate more than the car was worth (26 years old ) sadly I ended up selling it ☹️ but hey if you want to live in paradise some things you have to give up . Edited June 4, 2019 by crazykopite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now