Registering a RIB on foreigner's name.

[Henderson]

Hi all,

I plan to buy a RIB (Rigid Inflatable boat) which is not more than 4.5m in length with 100hp motor from a Thai owner.

The boat is for personal use only, I'll use it inshore.

From my understanding, the boat has no registration (I think its called Ship's license), the owner said he never needed to register it due to its size but as a foreigner I must check as I really don't want to get into any problems.

I would appreciate if someone who has knowledge on this matter can answer the following questions:

- Do I need to register the boat in order to legally use it?

- Can I register it under my name same as with a car/motorbike? what are the requirements to do so?

 

Thank you very much for your help!

 

 

 

[NanLaew]

Use inshore? Like on lakes and rivers? No licensing required AFAIK but permits may be required to access certain waters. General rule of thumb; if you don't see any other boats on the water, then it either needs a permit or isn't allowed.

[Henderson]

17 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Use inshore? Like on lakes and rivers? No licensing required AFAIK but permits may be required to access certain waters. General rule of thumb; if you don't see any other boats on the water, then it either needs a permit or isn't allowed.

Thank you.
Good to know about lakes/rivers, how about using it in the sea? (close to shoreline, nothing to far out), thx.

[impulse]

I had a couple of small power boats and gave up on getting legal.  I never had a problem running them on rivers or the sea, though my experience was limited.  I also didn't have problems pulling one on a trailer that I couldn't get legally registered, either.

 

On the flipside, I was constantly getting stopped for having kayaks on top of the pickup, usually on the motorways.  Occasionally, I'd also get pulled to the side at police checkpoints on side roads, but that was unusual.  The most it cost me was a 200 baht fine, on the spot, wink-wink.  The worst part was occasionally not being allowed to even enter the motorways at the incoming toll booth.  Made the trip from BKK to Pattaya pretty miserable.

 

Don't take this as gospel, but according to my research, you really need to be licensed to operate a power boat legally.  That said, most of the guys I know who owned power boats didn't bother (or couldn't figure out how...), and I never heard of anyone getting in trouble over it.   Obviously, your mileage may vary depending on your location.  It is Thailand, after all.

 

I'd suggest going to a local marine police station and just asking...  We used to go on river outings departing the marine police station in Chinatown, BKK, and the guys there were very friendly.

 

[NanLaew]

14 hours ago, Henderson said:

Thank you.
Good to know about lakes/rivers, how about using it in the sea? (close to shoreline, nothing to far out), thx.

Depends on your location and how bored any local 'marine police' are. Good post from impulse below.

 

13 hours ago, impulse said:

I had a couple of small power boats and gave up on getting legal.  I never had a problem running them on rivers or the sea, though my experience was limited.  I also didn't have problems pulling one on a trailer that I couldn't get legally registered, either.

 

On the flipside, I was constantly getting stopped for having kayaks on top of the pickup, usually on the motorways.  Occasionally, I'd also get pulled to the side at police checkpoints on side roads, but that was unusual.  The most it cost me was a 200 baht fine, on the spot, wink-wink.  The worst part was occasionally not being allowed to even enter the motorways at the incoming toll booth.  Made the trip from BKK to Pattaya pretty miserable.

 

Don't take this as gospel, but according to my research, you really need to be licensed to operate a power boat legally.  That said, most of the guys I know who owned power boats didn't bother (or couldn't figure out how...), and I never heard of anyone getting in trouble over it.   Obviously, your mileage may vary depending on your location.  It is Thailand, after all.

 

I'd suggest going to a local marine police station and just asking...  We used to go on river outings departing the marine police station in Chinatown, BKK, and the guys there were very friendly.

 

A group of mates pooled their beer money to buy a small speedboat ostensibly for fishing trips offshore Pattaya. One of them did do all the legwork needed to get a 'ticket' for driving it but he was assisted by a Thai cop buddy who although having nothing to do with any 'marine police' he knew who did. Ultimately, nobody else bothered and over the year or so of interest, nobody ever had any issues tootling about.

 

Then they sold it.

[tomtaylor1]

Hi All, my own experience and observations. Before buying a 6 Meter fibre boat with inboard diesel engine went into Pattaya Marine office,was informed would need registering ,around 8 to 12000 Baht. This to be done in my TGF name. Were we to be caught without we would be in big trouble, not specified. TGF was instructed to go to Laem Chabang Port to start proceedings, after which to back to Pattaya Marine Office for them to do the inspection, who then pointed out would need a safety certificate, to include working navigation lights, bilge pumps, fire extinguisher and life jackets, and not to put in the sea till boat registration is complete at Laem Chabang , a registration book will be issued in my TGF,s name. I also have noticed similar craft Bang Saray not registered and others for sale Thailand unregistered. Regards Tom