What is required to register a purchased automobile that has had the engine replaced?

[ZugZug1983]

This is my dilemma. I purchased a nice 1994 Nissan pickup that has had the engine replaced with a new imported TD23 engine from Japan. The previous 1 owner, a retired high ranking officer in the Royal Thai Airforce, purchased the engine back in 2002 and never had the engine replacement entered into the green book for the truck. He gave me all the papers to get the truck and the engine registered and it all looked to be in proper order. I purchased the truck about 3 months ago at which time the transportation registration office was closed due to Covid closings. I took the papers to a Thai couple that assists expats in getting safety inspections and registrations complete across the street from the transportation office here in Pattaya. I have used them several times in the past and they have always been very helpful and successful in getting the job done in a timely manner. The lady informed me of the requirement to send the engine documents to an office of the Transportation Department in Bangkok which was at that time closed so we had to wait until it opened to get it processed. Well about 2 weeks ago that office opened. They sent the papers back saying they will not process them because they see them as copies. The papers consist of 2 sheets. A receipt with the letter head from the import company indicating the engine size, model and serial number along with the amount paid. The other sheet is a receipt from Thai Customs showing the duty tax paid. Here's the problem: The old guy doesn't remember what he did with the original receipts and the company that imported the engine is no longer in business so getting an original replacement is not an option . The truck taxes expired the 11th of this month (Sept. 2021) and I can't get the truck registration transferred to my name because of the existing inadequate engine paperwork . I have no problem with purchasing a new engine with the proper original papers and having it installed because I was going to install a larger displacement QD32Ti engine to pull a small fishing boat anyway. What I need is to be steered to an English speaking person of authority within the Transportation Department to help me sort the problem out. Any advise or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. One item of interest is how did the previous owner get the book tax stamp updated every year since 2002 without registering the replacement engine which should have been detected during the safety inspection. Maybe because he was a high ranking officer in the military? I have no idea. If any have good constructive advice to relay my phone number is 0884867381 and my name is Randy.

[LongTimeLurker]

The short answer.

 

A big bribe.

[Kwasaki]

Difficult I would probably start by asking the previous owner to write a letter stating the original paperwork was lost in floods or fire and all he had left was the copies of the originals.

Showing those copies he was able to tax and insurance I guess.

Maybe get the letter witnessed with a lawyer to make it official.

 

I did sort of the same well not exactly with a bike where the fathers name was in the green book and the son confirmed he was acting on behalf of his father who had passed. 

The DLT were very helpful. 

[gaviolit]

In my knowledge you have a few options, some are not really clean...,

First one, go police office and declare to lost your originals papers. After that try to re submit at dlt. 

Second, go to some second hand engine sellers or mechanical, pay him for a new declarations. 

Third,  change again your engine, but these way in my opinion is not really a good idea, new engine will cost to you more than 50,000 and for an old pick up is not a good money spent.

 

[PFMills]

YES, you have a problem

Could

..get previous owner to tax for you

..run vehicle untaxed

.use tax disc from another vehicle

..brown envelope job

..previous owner to get engine change registered in Blue Book

 

Some of the above suggestions maybe a bit iffee but not exactly uncommon

[pedro01]

You got ripped off by the sounds of things. 

 

I can't fathom buying a car that's had the engine replaced - or the fact you don't seem to mind buying a new engine for the car.

 

You got any more spare money you don't want?

[tonray]

20 hours ago, LongTimeLurker said:

The short answer.

 

A big bribe.

Or a psychiatric examination

[LivinLOS]

You need the import tax declaration... I dont know the Thai name for it but its a few pages where the number is on it, its stamped and signed etc etc.. 

 

Now when doing a domestic engine swap, it seems a lot less formal.. I swapped a golf engine and the seller gave me a handwritten scrap of paper for the receipt of purchase and my engine swapper went and got it in the book without payments.. 

 

So how do they know an imported engine (with a bunch of official stamped forms) from a domestic sourced engine  (with a thai handwritten scrappy receipt book paper) ?? answer that and we will both know. 

[Benmart]

23 hours ago, LongTimeLurker said:

The short answer.

 

A big bribe.

Poor advice on a public forum. How big is big? Short is right.

[Kwasaki]

43 minutes ago, Benmart said:

Poor advice on a public forum. How big is big? Short is right.

I don't see why all the fuss OP should just go to the place where it has had it's inspection check in the years before by the previous owner and those people can get his Tax disc & CTPL.

[tanner]

Randy, phone this lady she can work magic !.

Palm, 081 7618406.

[BTB1977]

A high ranking officer in the thai royal air force couldn't get it done. So he passed the problem off on you. Good luck. 

[brianthainess]

On 9/27/2021 at 12:02 PM, ZugZug1983 said:

without registering the replacement engine which should have been detected during the safety inspection.

The 'safety' inspection can be done at any of those 'testing' centres littered around the country (200 bht) they do the leg work collect next day or posted back to you, and not necessary to go to the LTO, the one I use never check vin or engine number neither do they check the date on an LPG tank or even the tyres. They also may help you get the book changed

[LongTimeLurker]

On 9/28/2021 at 11:29 AM, Benmart said:

Poor advice on a public forum. How big is big? Short is right.

But a short bribe doesn't make sense.

 

How long is short?