Getting A Green Book

[GettingGreenBook]

Here an update of getting a legal Green Book for my motorbike. About a year ago I bought a Yamaha XT250x for a reasonable price knowing that this price did not include a Green-Book. Of course I also knew that this was a “spare-part imported motorbike”. But it came with full import-papers and import-duties were paid and the shop-owner promised me to arrange a legal Green-Book for me for a price of about 35k (which later changed to 50-60k). Well after a half year he still not had even tested the bike, and as I did not pay him anything it was easy to forget him. Reminder to myself : Never do business with him again!

Via internet I did meet Mark who represented himself as “Big Bike Cycles” but in reality was working together with a motorbike shop in Lam Lukha in Bangkok named “On Road Bike”. A shop where I had been before and altogether it looks to me like a trustful straight forward business. They are selling mainly chopper bikes. They offered me to take care of obtaining a legal Green-Book for my motorbike for 75k excluding the to be paid excise tax.

Mid November 2009 I decided to business with them and they promised me that all together it would take about 3 months before I would receive my legal Green Book.

With a legal Green Book I mean a real Green Book (not a copy or a recycled one) where is mentioned at page 18 that the excise tax has been paid and that the bike has been tested and approved.

There would be 6 steps within about 3 months

1 Doing the emission test that would costs about 28k

2 Apply for setting the value of the motorbike

3 Paying the excise tax (3% of the value of the motorbike)

4 Apply for the Green Book (which actually costs about 1500,- thb?)

5 After 1 month: Receiving the number/license-plate

6 Two (2) weeks later: Receiving the Green Book

Although steps 1 to 4 seems to be processed (although on a bit different time-frame) step 5 & 6 are still in the pipe-line. It took a bit longer but the bike was finally tested end of December 2009 and begin January 2010 I finally received proof of the fact that the bike has been tested and approved.

In the meanwhile Mark left Thailand and finally at end of March I did receive proof of setting the value of my motorbike at 215.000,- thb over what I have to pay 3% tax (plus VAT over the tax and duty stamp). One (1) week later I did receive proof of paying the excise tax of 7.124,- thb.

Now all the papers are ready to apply for the Green-Book and within 5-6 weeks I would receive my new license-plate and 2 weeks after that I would receive my Green-Book.

Well at 8 may 2010 the date for receiving my new license-plate has been delayed due to “slow working of the government” and is now set for “before 20 May 2010”. Unfortunately a mini-civil-war in Bangkok and upcountry closed all DLT’s in that week so still no License-Plate or Green-Book.

At 27 May 2010 I was just wondering what was happening as I received a call from the motorbike-shop that my “Certificate of Address” was expired (yeah of course I got it at November 2009!) so they needed a new one. I did send them a copy of my Yellow-House-Book, and I was promised that Monday 31 May 2010 I will hear when I will receive my License-Plate & Green-Book.

Nevertheless how this story end I think I will not go this route again for getting a motorbike with a legal Green Book. Nowadays there other options, although I think that BMW or KTM are too expensive in Thailand and big bike Kawasaki’s are not really very well build. And I am not into racing bikes like Yamaha or Suzuki. It is too bad that due to a tax system (of which some Thai family clan’s benefit mostly) people living in Thailand have a very poor choice of cars & motorbikes. And those Thai clan’s benefit so much that they can effort themselves easily to privately import whatever they like to ride.

[thaicbr]

big bike Kawasaki’s are not really very well build

Ummm and why do you think this?

[BigBikeBKK]

Thanks for sharing your story. How in the world did they get your bike past the emissions test?

[Tigersachsclub]

Hi Gettinggreenbook,

I think we have met before on the Tiger/Sachs Factory tour. Knowing that you really like the bike you are await the green book for,just for that it is worth the wait. And as you may know already, timelines of promises are often not followed here.Specially when it has to do with all kind of "officials" . Keep being patient if you sure they are the right ones to really make the green book...if not, you wasted a lot of money. But i can't tell you who is right or wrong....i opted for local bikes because of this issue you looking at, now i have a XV750 which had a clean green book but this is rare to be found.

Happy trails,

Tiger/Sachs Club - Mbox

[GettingGreenBook]

Finally today 30 June 2010 I personally did pickup my license-plate at the DLT head-office in Bangkok and I did get the tax certificate, the receipt and copy of the green-book with all correct data (brand-name, frame-number, color, age, engine-number, number of cylinders, cc) and of course on page 16 the paid road tax and on page 18 de statement that excise tax has been paid and that the bike has been approved by TISI.

Total application at DLT costs 740thb plus 100thb tax.

I did see the orginal green-book, but it seems that it will take another week to get that book. Why? I do not know or understand.

[GettingGreenBook]

Today was scheduled to pickup the Green Book at the DLT in bkk but when I was there the (middleman) contact person said "Mai mi" and "Call your motorbike shop". And the motorbike shop said "It is at the DLT". Then suddenly someone else calls me "I arrange the Green Book for you, but I am upcountry can you come back monday" .... Noooooooooooo!!!Then a lot of weird stories are being told and I think "The Green Book is ready and it is at the DLT but someone did make his commision yet" so I play the stupid falang and go to the information desk and show them the copy of the Green Book "Where my Green Book?". The sweet girl takes me to another guy with a computer and he writes her an ID-number and name. We then walk into a kind of manager of the DLT office (I see them a bit talking) and there is my Green Book with all the correct stamps (as far as I know). I have to sign for receiving (nobody asks for my ID) and of I go with my Green Book.Lesson learned? Yes next time I will just do it all myself!

[Tigersachsclub]

Today was scheduled to pickup the Green Book at the DLT in bkk but when I was there the (middleman) contact person said "Mai mi" and "Call your motorbike shop". And the motorbike shop said "It is at the DLT". Then suddenly someone else calls me "I arrange the Green Book for you, but I am upcountry can you come back monday" .... Noooooooooooo!!!Then a lot of weird stories are being told and I think "The Green Book is ready and it is at the DLT but someone did make his commision yet" so I play the stupid falang and go to the information desk and show them the copy of the Green Book "Where my Green Book?". The sweet girl takes me to another guy with a computer and he writes her an ID-number and name. We then walk into a kind of manager of the DLT office (I see them a bit talking) and there is my Green Book with all the correct stamps (as far as I know). I have to sign for receiving (nobody asks for my ID) and of I go with my Green Book.Lesson learned? Yes next time I will just do it all myself!

Hi Gettinggreenbook,

Congrats for your greenbook and accomplishment of the legality from your xt250x ...now that you have it all sorted hope you enjoy your rides without the chance of having the bike confiscated ...

happy trails,

Tiger/Sachs Club - Mbox

[KhunAussie52]

I have just moved to Surin,so i thought it was time to make by 98 Vulcan classic legal.Last week i went to the transport office with my invoice papers,copy on tape of the engine and frame numbers and two photos.

After two hours and much discussion amongst the staff in the office.I was informed that my invoice papers were not legal.

On the way home i dropped into a Thai friends restaurant to drown my sorrows over a few Leo's.

My fiend,the owner of the premises,asked me what the problem was.So i gave him all the details.he listened patiently as i denounced the system etc.

Then he said,"come with me". We walked across the road around the corner to a Thai owned bike shop.I was introduced to his brother,the owner of the shop.My friend explained the problem.His brother replied."bring the bike here in two days at 0900 and well start the ball rolling.

I rocked up on time two days later.Not long after i had arrived.3 chaps from the excise department arrived in a blue pickup.Got out of the car,introduced themselves to all present,and started taking photos of the bike and recording the engine and frame numbers,on paper tape and photos.

I was then instructed to follow them to there office,just out of Surin. When we arrived, we all proceeded inside.30 minutes later i left having paid the excise due.A penalty was added,as i had not paid the amount due late last year.

The cost all up,was 7.460,including a 200% penalty for the late payment.Value of my bike was lowered by excise department from 89000Baht to 80000 baht.I have no idea why!!!

I was then informed that i could ride the bike until my green book and plates became available.

As it turns out......my friends brother, the bike shop owner.Waits until he has 10 big bikes to register.He then informs all the owners when to bring there bikes to the transport department in Surin, for final inspection and exhaust emission testing.He has struck a deal with Bangkok for an inspector to come to Surin for one day,run all the bikes through inspection,for a fixed price of 30,000 Baht each.Total cost 37460 Baht to make the bike legal.I will have my green book and plate in the normal time frame for Thailand

I was totally gob smacked.......I the Farang, thought i could do this myself........a valuable lesson was learned today......ask you Thai friends who are in the know.

[Kf6vci]

To the OP: please tell us more!

Price you paid and year of the XT 250?? Then there is the shockingly high value of 215,000 Baht[/b on a used bike likely a decade old while a [i]new[/i] D-Tracker would cost about 65,000 Bahtless.

Then there is a lot of feedback regarding how tough the emissions test is. Your bike is low tech and has no secondary air system or EFI. Henceforth, it was clear from the beginning that this would NOT end well.

Please don't be offended. With the benefit of hindsight and having my own troubles (the bike I bought was advertised as if it was okay and it turned out it was i) in a deadly accident and ii) damaged and then iii) poorly repaired by someone who discarded all the R&D and engineering efforts which went into designing the fairing of an Africa Twin. Moreover, the company hired for the transfer keeps rejecting the farang seller's paperwork. Now they want such a Residence Letter as well. And like in your case, MONTHS have passed and I am very unhappy indeed about the whole affair.

Questions: What next? Will you cut your losses and end this charade?

I haven't read all answers yet, but it might be Mission Impossible.

Are you into off-roading? A new Tiger Boxer 250 RS could be fitted with enduro tires. I rode it recently, it's light and should handle normal dirt roads okay. That way, 80,000 Baht would buy a new bike with 100% Green Book and long warranty. There are 250 cc 2-valve enduros out there. I saw a Honda for under 60 grand from the guy who sold his Boxer 200 at the time as well. So keep looking: MOCYC.com, www.bahtsold.com and of course GT Rider and here in the classified section, the link is pinned above.

Last Q: how much have you paid? What was the TOTAL PRICE the rep and the shop have asked for?

Truth be told, the local shop offers different versions of Green Books at different prices, from 90,000 Baht down to like 35,000 Baht. AFAIK, certain types of low tech and older bikes won't pass the emissions test, period. Henceforth, it seems some unscrupulous people separated you from your money and that will be the end.

By sharing the details, you are helping others to avoid such pitfalls. Thanks for that. Now get yourself a bike and enjoy riding it!

Chris

[Kf6vci]

KhunAussie52, an amazing story! How much of the 30,000 flat rate fee per bike is ending up handed to the agency, one wonders? And the emissions testing is not something the engineer can load onto a trailer and bring down with him, so this seems to be a case of, well, alternative solutions.

Are you getting swamped with PMs now? :jap:

Chris

[KhunAussie52]

:jap:

KhunAussie52, an amazing story! How much of the 30,000 flat rate fee per bike is ending up handed to the agency, one wonders? And the emissions testing is not something the engineer can load onto a trailer and bring down with him, so this seems to be a case of, well, alternative solutions.

Are you getting swamped with PMs now? :jap:

Chris

G'Day Chris,

I have had a number of messages this morning that i still wading through.Yours was the first i opened.

I really don't know how My friends brother was able to negotiate with the department.

He is very well known in the motorcycle world of Thailand, and i believe has many contacts.He is a wonderful man,whom i have the greatest respect for.Although we have only known each other a short time.

To my surprise,the department here has an emissions testing device in Surin.So having said that.It begs the question,as to why the bike has to be sent to Bangkok for that test.

thanks for your input:jap:

I was shown the testing device,.by a British expat the day i tried to make my bike legal.If anyone wishes to check.Go to the inspection bay,just inside the door on the right hand side.connected to a computer.

Edited July 30, 2010 by KhunAussie52

[KhunAussie52]

KhunAussie52, an amazing story! How much of the 30,000 flat rate fee per bike is ending up handed to the agency, one wonders? And the emissions testing is not something the engineer can load onto a trailer and bring down with him, so this seems to be a case of, well, alternative solutions.

Are you getting swamped with PMs now? :jap:

Chris

About the emissions testing device.It is quite small.I could put it on the back seat of my ford ranger,with the computer it is connected too,and the printer.

Edited July 30, 2010 by KhunAussie52

[Kwasaki]

big bike Kawasaki's are not really very well build

Ummm and why do you think this?

thaicbr I was thinking exactly the same, I know I go back a bit but the ZX9R was considered by many test riders as good as the Blade at the time if not better.

Personally I didn't agree, I had already made my mind up but testing the ZX9R it was nice.

The choice now is how would you like your 186 mph ( 300 kph ) sir ? ZX10R, ZX12R and ZZR1400.

The ZX6R a good little bike too.

So where are you " gettingreenbook " still getting your green book I guess !

[GettingGreenBook]

It is a Yamaha XT250x from 2006 for the Japanese market, almost 100% identical as the Serrow250 and a twin-brother of the Tricker 250 (or XG250). It is sold in Japan, Italia, South-Africa and some other countries.

It has a carb instead of FI and has 21hp instead like the newer bikes 17hp. This bike has emmison-control and is EU3 approved

Yes I could have bought a D-Tracker 250 for 150k but still had to modify that a lot for my short legs and it has to be de-restricted to make it more powerfull. And really believe me there is a quality difference between a D-Tracker made in Thailand and a Yamaha XT made in Japan. Yes I could have bought a Tiger Boxer 250 and modify it but then I would have rather bought a D-Tracker 250.

I ride it both on-road and off-road and still love it.

About the green book, there are many different "legal" green books. In mine is stated that excise tax has been paid and that the bike has been tested (both with reference number and signeture). I had the book checked at the local DLT and it is all fine, I can pay my tax here. If I want to sell I have to do that in BKK as it is registerd in BKK.

I think of the all process the problem is having the bike approved by the Thailand Automotive Institute. And another hurdle might be is gettiing the bike valued at the right price (which will save you some tax).

[GettingGreenBook]

Well about Kawa's I am refering to the Thai made D-Tracker 250, not to other Kawa's. A good friend of mine is still driving his ZZR-1100 that he bought new a long time ago, and that without any major problems or repairs.

HavingGreenBook

[happyfalangme]

"If I want to sell I have to do that in BKK as it is registerd in BKK"

You can sell it any where in Thailand. they can transfer at any land transport dept.

[GettingGreenBook]

Well here at the Department of Land Transport at Banglamung they said they could not transfer the registration of my my car that is registerd in Chonburi and they told me the same for my motorbike.

Maybe they are just crazy here but for the car it was confirmed at the DLT of Chonburi (but that was about a year ago so that could have changed today .... and tomorrow again)

HavingGreenBook

[LivinLOS]

I have moved cars and bikes books through Thailand.. It takes 2 weeks (or it does with Phuket) but no problem doing it.

[katabeachbum]

I have moved cars and bikes books through Thailand.. It takes 2 weeks (or it does with Phuket) but no problem doing it.

according to law, you are to move book to your current adress (as reported to immigration).

No problem at all, the request is to be made at your adress LTD, not where it is currently registered

[LivinLOS]

My understanding is..

You can register your own name into a book, in a province you dont live at.. I was offered this solution in CM when taking a car back to Phuket, put it in my phuket address and name, on CM plates, then move it down afterwards once in your name (30 days ??) I didnt do this as getting the book out of a finance co was slow.

Or you take the docs to your location, and do a full transfer of changwat and name in one go. This is what I did.

There was a minor cost to it from memory a couple of grand, and there was something about doing it within 30 days of the sale that I cant clearly remember. Plus of course every land transport office is a law unto itself, rules in one are different in another. But the process has to be possible.

I think theres also something special about bkk plates, they can be sold etc in any province ??

[appropriate]

I find the idea of an emissions test costing 30k a bit much.

Presumably these are a bit more than what the police do with your exhaust on their E.Test road blocks?

[katabeachbum]

4 naming and shaming posts and replyes deleted

Naming and shaming is illegal in LOS, thus against Forum rules