Driving Outside Thailand

[onpermanentvacation]

I am buying a new car for the first time and have no idea how some things work here. First the facts:

- I'm buying a Toyota Fortuner in my wife's name (she's Thai) since I can't get a loan myself (no WP, all income online) and I don't have so much cash at once.

- I'm on a non-O marriage visa issued in KL and valid for 1 year but my entry stamp says I'm allowed to stay for 90 days only.

- We will get the car in January (they say we're 6th in line) and I am planning a trip to Laos (and maybe Cambodia) sometime in March.

And my questions are:

- Will I have any issues driving the car out of Thailand?

- If yes, is there any way around those?

- What paperwork is needed before the trip?

- Is there anything else I should know about driving the car which is not registered in my name (whether in Thailand or not)?

Thank you in advance for any helpful info!

Edited December 24, 2010 by GoldmundBKK

[bino]

Driving out of Thailand - make sure your insurance company covers you. Most policies are valid inside the country only.

[WarpSpeed]

I think your visa stamp means you must report every 90days like mine does and not have to leave but I could be wrong I'd get clarification..

On driving out of country if the car is not in your name you'd either better have your wife with you or some official letter from her to the effect that you are authorized to do so or you could be in a world of hurt..

[transam]

On my next visa run l was going to take my ride into Lao but my insurance co. doesn't want to know.

You MUST have class 1 insurance as you are a foreigner in Thailand. Nooooo question. .

[onpermanentvacation]

My visa is a multi-entry and no one told me anything about reporting every 90 days. Although obviously I'll have to do a border run to get a new 3 month stamp.

My wife will not travel with me but I guess I can have her sign a letter that she let me go.

The insurance we are getting is 1st class as I was told.

So, there should be no problem leaving Thailand if the car still hasn't been paid in full? I think I've read somewhere that the bank might prevent you from taking the car out of the country before the last installment has been paid. Sounded weird but nothing is weird for me in Thailand any more.

[WarpSpeed]

My understanding, if you have a Non-O 1year visa multiple entry or not you only have to report, not make a border run.. I haven't made a border run in the 8 years I've lived here on a Non-O, merely reported every 90 days and they don't tell you you should be dong that, figure it's for you to figure out...

The first 60 days I did not report as the visa was through my wife's company and they didn't tell me I had to report so foolishly I did not originally since it did not say I needed to anywhere. Then I heard some things that made me check and found out I needed to report after 60 days had passed overdue.

I went down and reported my next report day and paid a hefty 2200b fine but have had no problems since..

Edited December 24, 2010 by WarpSpeed

[MoonRiverOasis]

As noted, your insurance will not cover the car once it leaves Thailand. Your finance company also holds the tabien rot (which it will not relinquish until paid out and is required to get out and back into TH), and the copy they supply you with notes them as having a lien over the vehicle.

It would take both the finance company and your wife's approval to make it doable, and I have to say that as a foreigner, first finance, so early into the finance term, and no international insurance, the chances of them allowing the vehicle to leave the country will be very close to nil.

In any case, you'll need to be asking the question of the finance company.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

As noted, your insurance will not cover the car once it leaves Thailand. Your finance company also holds the tabien rot (which it will not relinquish until paid out and is required to get out and back into TH), and the copy they supply you with notes them as having a lien over the vehicle.

It would take both the finance company and your wife's approval to make it doable, and I have to say that as a foreigner, first finance, so early into the finance term, and no international insurance, the chances of them allowing the vehicle to leave the country will be very close to nil.

In any case, you'll need to be asking the question of the finance company.

I quite agree! I/we bought a new Toyota HiAce van last year, about half down balance financed (my income, not the wife's) with van in her name. We'll get the tambien lot next November when the loan is paid off.

The finance company paid the 1st class insurance for the first year, I've just recently paid for year two, and it DOES NOT cover travel outside Thailand. I've not asked if I can get "trip insurance" for such travel, tho, might be possible.

3rd party insurance is mandatory for driving in Laos and is available on the Lao side at all (I think "all") border points, and it's cheap. Don't know if 1st class insurance is also available on the Lao side, haven't asked.

In any case, your vehicle will need the Thai "passport" for travel which should be available from your local DMV, read Land Transport Department, office. This is what you show on departure from Thailand, along with several forms, in Thai, and arrival in Laos.

I hit the roads in Laos 2-4 times a year but in a rental pickup, I think I'd NOT take my van over. The Thai highways and byways are pretty good, white centerlines usually, ofttimes shoulders on the 2-laners, and actually usually reasonable traffic and drivers. Upcountry Laos, not so much so, plus there's hordes of 18-24 wheel trucks on the main highways, like going to LP, the PDJ, etc, and these are all 2-lanes with lots of ups and downs and curves.

For personal driving, Thailand be better! And, I have some 358,000 km on my 21 year old Toyota HiLux pickup and 33,000 on the 13 month old van.

Mac

[DJH77]

As noted, your insurance will not cover the car once it leaves Thailand. Your finance company also holds the tabien rot (which it will not relinquish until paid out and is required to get out and back into TH), and the copy they supply you with notes them as having a lien over the vehicle.

It would take both the finance company and your wife's approval to make it doable, and I have to say that as a foreigner, first finance, so early into the finance term, and no international insurance, the chances of them allowing the vehicle to leave the country will be very close to nil.

In any case, you'll need to be asking the question of the finance company.

This is correct. At Mukdahan Friendship Bridge you will be refused by both Immigration and Customs unless you have paperwork from the Finance company granting permission to take the car across and this is not easy to get. I believe that this has become stricter here due to Thai's taking their cars over to the Casino and putting them in Hock so to speak, looseing the money and leaving the car behind. Then the finance companies have to reclaim the car and bring it back. When i bought my car 10 months ago the Rep of the finance company told me that there was no problem in taking the car over but that all changed when i went to the bridge. I have tried all sorts of negotiations with them and it came down to firstly paying a 1 month installment and providing the exact date of departure and return so they could provide paperwork for the Bridge, and this was a special exemption. I only want to go over to play golf and return at any time i wish, but they won't consider that at all. So as there is nothing in my finance contract at all about this i have been looking for the law that enables them to impose this blockade. The head of Mukdahan Immigration, Col. Pisit, thinks there is nothing that can be done, and he is very strict on this rule, but i havn't given up yet.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

As noted, your insurance will not cover the car once it leaves Thailand. Your finance company also holds the tabien rot (which it will not relinquish until paid out and is required to get out and back into TH), and the copy they supply you with notes them as having a lien over the vehicle.

It would take both the finance company and your wife's approval to make it doable, and I have to say that as a foreigner, first finance, so early into the finance term, and no international insurance, the chances of them allowing the vehicle to leave the country will be very close to nil.

In any case, you'll need to be asking the question of the finance company.

This is correct. At Mukdahan Friendship Bridge you will be refused by both Immigration and Customs unless you have paperwork from the Finance company granting permission to take the car across and this is not easy to get. I believe that this has become stricter here due to Thai's taking their cars over to the Casino and putting them in Hock so to speak, looseing the money and leaving the car behind. Then the finance companies have to reclaim the car and bring it back. When i bought my car 10 months ago the Rep of the finance company told me that there was no problem in taking the car over but that all changed when i went to the bridge. I have tried all sorts of negotiations with them and it came down to firstly paying a 1 month installment and providing the exact date of departure and return so they could provide paperwork for the Bridge, and this was a special exemption. I only want to go over to play golf and return at any time i wish, but they won't consider that at all. So as there is nothing in my finance contract at all about this i have been looking for the law that enables them to impose this blockade. The head of Mukdahan Immigration, Col. Pisit, thinks there is nothing that can be done, and he is very strict on this rule, but i havn't given up yet.

If going to Vientiane area there is very good secure parking for vehicles on the Thai side near the bridge. It's in the caged area back behind where the vans load up to cross over to Laos. I've left my car there for lots of years, most recently early December left my (oops, my wife's) newish van there for a week. Baht 100 per day is the charge. Been parking there often enough over the years that the ticket guy asked where the wife was, she stayed home this trip.

Rent on the Laos side? Alternatively, take one of the many passenger vans upcountry? Take a tour bus, some of which are "VIP.?"

Mac

[Sophon]

My understanding, if you have a Non-O 1year visa multiple entry or not you only have to report, not make a border run.. I haven't made a border run in the 8 years I've lived here on a Non-O, merely reported every 90 days and they don't tell you you should be dong that, figure it's for you to figure out...

Your understanding is incorrect. The OP is on a multi entry non immigrant visa and has to leave the country every 90 days, and since he is never in Thailand for more than 90 days he does not have to report his address to immigration. You are on a 1 year extension of stay (not a non-O visa, that died years ago), and have to report your address to immigration every 90 days.

Sophon

[Digitalbanana]

My wife will not travel with me but I guess I can have her sign a letter that she let me go.

Curious what the wife's opinion is of this? Surely most Thai's wouldn't want to see their own property driven into Laos even when they follow it, let alone without joining the trip. A lot of stolen Thai cars in Laos last time I looked.

[WarpSpeed]

My understanding, if you have a Non-O 1year visa multiple entry or not you only have to report, not make a border run.. I haven't made a border run in the 8 years I've lived here on a Non-O, merely reported every 90 days and they don't tell you you should be dong that, figure it's for you to figure out...

Your understanding is incorrect. The OP is on a multi entry non immigrant visa and has to leave the country every 90 days, and since he is never in Thailand for more than 90 days he does not have to report his address to immigration. You are on a 1 year extension of stay (not a non-O visa, that died years ago), and have to report your address to immigration every 90 days.

Sophon

Ok, I guess I'll capitulate and accept that explanation.. Sounds plausible..

Edited December 25, 2010 by WarpSpeed

[onpermanentvacation]

^^ The car is mine. It's just registered in her name cause there was no other way to buy it. And we're not so concerned about theft. What has to be stolen will be stolen no matter how many locks you put on it. Likewise, you can park the car in Klong Toei with key in it and you'll find it when you come back.

Thanks everyone who replied so far. Anyone had a different experience?

Edited December 25, 2010 by GoldmundBKK

[WarpSpeed]

The car isn't yours if it isn't in your name in the eyes of the law eh?? And that IS what we're talking about here isn't it?? The legality of taking the car across border..

[onpermanentvacation]

I was merely answering Digitalbanana's question, read it in that context.

And to answer your question.. I never cared about marriage and only signed the dam_n contract to make the life easier for my wife and our kid and ease bureaucracy pains. And now you're telling me I can't even enjoy any of the benefits of such a contract?? "What's mine is yours" and stuff..???

[WarpSpeed]

I was merely answering Digitalbanana's question, read it in that context.

And to answer your question.. I never cared about marriage and only signed the dam_n contract to make the life easier for my wife and our kid and ease bureaucracy pains. And now you're telling me I can't even enjoy any of the benefits of such a contract?? "What's mine is yours" and stuff..???

I know who you were answering and in what context but in this case sorry to say but TIT on both accounts..