Car Ownership By Foreigners

[lovelg10]

The following quote was copied from the Thailandguru.com website. Can anyone verify the validity of the statement? It seems to fly in the face of everything I have read to date regarding buying or leasing cars in Thailand.

Owning a Car

Nonresident foreigners legally cannot own a car, though some have bought a car anyway, got it registered, etc. The seller didn't object to receiving the money and filling out the paperwork, and the government offices didn't raise a red flag. The only foreigners who I've known to do this had a work permit and tax ID number.

Usually, a foreigner is a shareholder in a company, and the company buys the car, or else the foreigners trusted girlfriend or ceremony-married wife owns the car. If the marriage is legally registered, then the wife married to a foreigner cannot own the car. (This is largely due to a history of sham marriages to foreigners for the purpose of buying up property in Thailand, sometimes for mafia footholds, and sometimes driving up the property prices presented to indigenous Thais. The property laws in Thailand are nationalistic.)

[PeaceBlondie]

Depends what "nonresident" means. One-year visa, no problem. I never had a work permit; I owned a new motorbike in my name.

[katabeachbum]

b-sht.

any foreigner can by a car with a "confirmation of adress", usually issued by immigration

most foreigners can fiance a car with 50% downpayment without having a guarantor. some foreigners can finace with less down

[ScubaBuddha]

Agreed with bkk and PB. Sounds like out of date information. I have owned several motorbikes and two cars in my name. For the registration, all that is really needed is a proof of residency. Can you do it on a tourist visa though? I'm not sure but I think I heard no.

For a loan, which I also have, I showed copies of my work permit as well as a letter from my employer stating duration of employment, salary, and a copy of a bank book with history that matches the employment letter. One dealer said 30% with a Thai guarantor, 50%, maybe even 40% down with no guarantor. A guarantor is just a Thai person that can help them track you or the car down if you stop making payments and they need to repossess. Not as serious as a co-signer but similar.

[Tywais]

Agreed with bkk and PB. Sounds like out of date information.

Would have to be seriously out of date as I bought my first one 17 years ago with no problems and put directly into my name. Perhaps that was what the author's girlfriend told him.

[katabeachbum]

Agreed with bkk and PB. Sounds like out of date information. I have owned several motorbikes and two cars in my name. For the registration, all that is really needed is a proof of residency. Can you do it on a tourist visa though? I'm not sure but I think I heard no.

For a loan, which I also have, I showed copies of my work permit as well as a letter from my employer stating duration of employment, salary, and a copy of a bank book with history that matches the employment letter. One dealer said 30% with a Thai guarantor, 50%, maybe even 40% down with no guarantor. A guarantor is just a Thai person that can help them track you or the car down if you stop making payments and they need to repossess. Not as serious as a co-signer but similar.

30 days permit to stay or tourist visa works fine. Even the finance part.

[Gary A]

Some years back I decided to buy a pickup truck. I had no problems and had it in my name. When I got back home, my then girlfriend asked me when we were going to go for her to sign the papers. She was quite upset when I told her it was already in my name. She had insisted that I couldn't have a vehicle in my name. YES, she was a mercenary type. Shortly after that, I bought a condo, also in my name and when I moved into the condo, she wasn't welcome and stayed in the apartment that I had rented.

[katabeachbum]

Some years back I decided to buy a pickup truck. I had no problems and had it in my name. When I got back home, my then girlfriend asked me when we were going to go for her to sign the papers. She was quite upset when I told her it was already in my name. She had insisted that I couldn't have a vehicle in my name. YES, she was a mercenary type. Shortly after that, I bought a condo, also in my name and when I moved into the condo, she wasn't welcome and stayed in the apartment that I had rented.

it is common for the girlfriend to make the dealer explain to farang the car must be in thai name

[Big Guy]

Have had two cars registered in my own name with tourist visa's. One purchased with finance and no problems with either.

[LivinLOS]

While everyone can call it bullshit.. And we all know that even on a 15 day visa exempt stamp they do put them into farang names, the LAW is you need to be on a non imm visa to qualify for legally owning a car. A tourist visa, a visa exempt stamp, etc etc.. Well they are just tolerated but is not the law.

[bkk_mike]

Have never actually financed a car in my own name (never been paid in Thailand, so always easier to just show proof of income and let my wife sign the paperwork.)

However, when the car's paid off, we've had it transferred to my name with no issues at all. (even with a pretty old copy of the address letter from the embassy - same one I used to get the driving licence...).

[fxe1200]

Have had two cars registered in my own name with tourist visa's. One purchased with finance and no problems with either.

This is the law:

"Buying a car and registering it in your name is relatively straightforward. You must have a Non-Immigrant visa and either a Work Permit or proof of address document (bai rup rong tee yuu asai ใบรับรองที่อยู่อาสัย) from local Immigration (cost 500 Baht). You may need the house document (tabien bahn) of where you are living to get this."

http://www.expathuahin.com/vehicles-huahin.php

The copy of the "house book" has to be signed by the house owner - You also need a countersigned lease contract, a copy of the ID of the person who signed the lease contract, which might differ from the house owner, and a regular passport photo to apply for the residency paper.

[gotlost]

The web site you quoted from is known for inaccuracies. If you want the truth stick to TV. You may get toasted but you will not be lied to.

[fxe1200]

The web site you quoted from is known for inaccuracies. If you want the truth stick to TV. You may get toasted but you will not be lied to.

You may be right, but I did not only quote the website, I also wrote about my own experiencies underneath the quotation, as you might have seen. And the information given on this website is absolutey correct, if I may believe the officer who is processing my residency paper at the Hat Yai District Office.

[katabeachbum]

Have had two cars registered in my own name with tourist visa's. One purchased with finance and no problems with either.

This is the law:

"Buying a car and registering it in your name is relatively straightforward. You must have a Non-Immigrant visa and either a Work Permit or proof of address document (bai rup rong tee yuu asai ใบรับรองที่อยู่อาสัย) from local Immigration (cost 500 Baht). You may need the house document (tabien bahn) of where you are living to get this."

http://www.expathuahin.com/vehicles-huahin.php

The copy of the "house book" has to be signed by the house owner - You also need a countersigned lease contract, a copy of the ID of the person who signed the lease contract, which might differ from the house owner, and a regular passport photo to apply for the residency paper.

Perhaps this is correct for you in Hat Yai. Do you ever get an offisial receipt for the 500 baht? No? Thought so. Its free

I must have purchesed 25 new vehicles by now, without Non Imm and without paying for Certificate of Residence. But I m not in Hat Yai.

[fxe1200]

Have had two cars registered in my own name with tourist visa's. One purchased with finance and no problems with either.

This is the law:

"Buying a car and registering it in your name is relatively straightforward. You must have a Non-Immigrant visa and either a Work Permit or proof of address document (bai rup rong tee yuu asai ใบรับรองที่อยู่อาสัย) from local Immigration (cost 500 Baht). You may need the house document (tabien bahn) of where you are living to get this."

http://www.expathuahin.com/vehicles-huahin.php

The copy of the "house book" has to be signed by the house owner - You also need a countersigned lease contract, a copy of the ID of the person who signed the lease contract, which might differ from the house owner, and a regular passport photo to apply for the residency paper.

Perhaps this is correct for you in Hat Yai. Do you ever get an offisial receipt for the 500 baht? No? Thought so. Its free

I must have purchesed 25 new vehicles by now, without Non Imm and without paying for Certificate of Residence. But I m not in Hat Yai.

I am not talking about your experiences, but about the regulations currently in force, which apply to most of the readers of this forum. Exceptions may happen, but they do not correspond with the existing law. Regarding the fee of 500 THB, I will let you know, when I pick up my paper. Until now, I have not paid anything yet.

[LivinLOS]

While its often not enforced, the law is you need a long stay / non imm visa.

http://www.phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=98

As you have a non-immigrant visa, it is no problem for you to legally own a car. However, anyone who does not have a non-immigrant visa may not be the legally registered owner of a vehicle in Thailand.”

Supakorn Wilairat, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office Registration Division.

http://www.phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers...ails.asp?id=297

“A foreigner who has a non-immigrant visa can legally own a vehicle in Thailand. To buy a motorcycle and register it in your own name you need your passport (plus one copy) and a work permit or proof of your address as notified by the Immigration Office.”

Officer, Phuket Provincial Transportation Office.

However the reality is I have owned cars and bikes on everything from a 30 day stamp to a non imm..

[katabeachbum]

Have had two cars registered in my own name with tourist visa's. One purchased with finance and no problems with either.

This is the law:

"Buying a car and registering it in your name is relatively straightforward. You must have a Non-Immigrant visa and either a Work Permit or proof of address document (bai rup rong tee yuu asai ใบรับรองที่อยู่อาสัย) from local Immigration (cost 500 Baht). You may need the house document (tabien bahn) of where you are living to get this."

http://www.expathuahin.com/vehicles-huahin.php

The copy of the "house book" has to be signed by the house owner - You also need a countersigned lease contract, a copy of the ID of the person who signed the lease contract, which might differ from the house owner, and a regular passport photo to apply for the residency paper.

Perhaps this is correct for you in Hat Yai. Do you ever get an offisial receipt for the 500 baht? No? Thought so. Its free

I must have purchesed 25 new vehicles by now, without Non Imm and without paying for Certificate of Residence. But I m not in Hat Yai.

I am not talking about your experiences, but about the regulations currently in force, which apply to most of the readers of this forum. Exceptions may happen, but they do not correspond with the existing law. Regarding the fee of 500 THB, I will let you know, when I pick up my paper. Until now, I have not paid anything yet.

What you quote is not the law, its how they do it in Hua Hin. When I said I have never payed for "Certificate of Residence" I was wrong. I have payed 500 baht for it in Hua Hin, without reciept of course since the law states its free.

[katabeachbum]

While its often not enforced, the law is you need a long stay / non imm visa.

http://www.phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=98

As you have a non-immigrant visa, it is no problem for you to legally own a car. However, anyone who does not have a non-immigrant visa may not be the legally registered owner of a vehicle in Thailand."

Supakorn Wilairat, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office Registration Division.

http://www.phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers...ails.asp?id=297

"A foreigner who has a non-immigrant visa can legally own a vehicle in Thailand. To buy a motorcycle and register it in your own name you need your passport (plus one copy) and a work permit or proof of your address as notified by the Immigration Office."

Officer, Phuket Provincial Transportation Office.

However the reality is I have owned cars and bikes on everything from a 30 day stamp to a non imm..

Have even financed 3 cars in one of LOS largest finance companies without non imm. I doubt they would grant loan and give me car if they feared this "law" was enforced and they would be unable to have my name in the reg book.

[LivinLOS]

Struggling to see why that would bother them ?? After all you would have paid by the time you could find out !!

[katabeachbum]

Struggling to see why that would bother them ?? After all you would have paid by the time you could find out !!

Within 90 days of delivery dealer has to register car with my name in the book. It takes 3years and 9 months more to complete payments, which I only need to do if book is issued with my name.

[LivinLOS]

I thought the finance co's name went in the book ?? Never used finance but had to pay some guys back finance before they would release it to change name.

[Spoonman]

If the book is in your name i wouldn't bother making the repayments, you already own it !!!

[katabeachbum]

2 names in the financed vehicles book, the finance company name and adress and my name adress and passportnumber. Thats why a "Certificate of Residence" is needed.

[webfact]

flamingpost deleted and member warned

[rideswings]

I have been told by at least a dozen new and used car dealers that they will not finance me, period. They will finance my Thai wife, but will not finance me regardless of down payment. I would have to pay cash for any car

Where can I go to get financed even with 30-50% down? In Udon I have been to all the major dealers and have been told I cant get financing.

[Soutpeel]

I have been told by at least a dozen new and used car dealers that they will not finance me, period. They will finance my Thai wife, but will not finance me regardless of down payment. I would have to pay cash for any car

Where can I go to get financed even with 30-50% down? In Udon I have been to all the major dealers and have been told I cant get financing.

You have to bare in mind, its companies perogative if they decide to finance you, its not a given, but go and try Tanachart, I have financed 3 cars through them through the years and they have been pretty good.

Not being funny but the eyes of the companies you have talked to, you may be a high risk for them for some reason ??..age possibly ??

[katabeachbum]

I have been told by at least a dozen new and used car dealers that they will not finance me, period. They will finance my Thai wife, but will not finance me regardless of down payment. I would have to pay cash for any car

Where can I go to get financed even with 30-50% down? In Udon I have been to all the major dealers and have been told I cant get financing.

You have to bare in mind, its companies perogative if they decide to finance you, its not a given, but go and try Tanachart, I have financed 3 cars through them through the years and they have been pretty good.

Not being funny but the eyes of the companies you have talked to, you may be a high risk for them for some reason ??..age possibly ??

If you dont bring a thai they will finance you if your credit is acceptable.