Chiang Mai Or Bangkok

[webbmetrix]

What do you think the possibility for success is in opening a repair and modification shop in Chiang Mai instead of Bangkok? I love the area, mountains and riding opportunities around Chiang Mai, but I know I'd have a better chance of survival in Bangkok.

Are there enough 150cc and bigger riders in Chiang Mai to support a shop? I'm not planning to get rich from this, but just to be able to support myself and do what I love.

[visions]

First is to realize.... yes you will never get rich doing that......it will cost u more than u make.

next is check if its one of the "allowed" Businesses that a farang can be involved in. Unless its a "Thai owned" business I think you will find you cannot open a bike shop?? Then u need 4 thai workers per one farang employed.

Then there is the HUGE mountain of paperwork and frustration organising work permits etc. Its a never ending headache.

Best way to enjoy Thailand is to stay out of the limelight, keep ur head low and go riding.

[LivinLOS]

First is to realize.... yes you will never get rich doing that......it will cost u more than u make.

next is check if its one of the "allowed" Businesses that a farang can be involved in. Unless its a "Thai owned" business I think you will find you cannot open a bike shop?? Then u need 4 thai workers per one farang employed.

Then there is the HUGE mountain of paperwork and frustration organising work permits etc. Its a never ending headache.

Best way to enjoy Thailand is to stay out of the limelight, keep ur head low and go riding.

Thats not really correct.. You can have a work permit without 4 workers.. You just have to visa run not get the extension.

A farang mechanic that did proper work, doesnt cut corners, uses real parts and doesnt modify things / bodge it.. Is a god send. I used to use on on Phuket.

Sure its more expensive than Thai mechas but I have a long history and 10's of stories of just awful things being done to my bikes by Thais.. One tried to rehone one barrel of a 4 cyl !! With a hand awl on a drill.. Then AFTER find out he cant get an oversize piston.. Then cannot put the engine back together in any fashion.. I had to go get the bits in boxes and take it away from him.

Bangkok there is better mechanics.. Phuket was crying out for a decent one. CM many many bikers, but not sure if they will pay top dollar for servicing.

[Fishenough]

First is to realize.... yes you will never get rich doing that......it will cost u more than u make.

next is check if its one of the "allowed" Businesses that a farang can be involved in. Unless its a "Thai owned" business I think you will find you cannot open a bike shop?? Then u need 4 thai workers per one farang employed.

Then there is the HUGE mountain of paperwork and frustration organising work permits etc. Its a never ending headache.

Best way to enjoy Thailand is to stay out of the limelight, keep ur head low and go riding.

The paper work is easy, for the first time get help but after the first year you can easily do it yourself. Yes, maybe every bodies definition of a mountain of paper work is different. Yes patience is needed at immigration (Chiang Mai) but they can also be most helpful if you treat them respectfully and politely.

I'm as cheap as the come, but would happily pay more for quality work.

[visions]

First is to realize.... yes you will never get rich doing that......it will cost u more than u make.

next is check if its one of the "allowed" Businesses that a farang can be involved in. Unless its a "Thai owned" business I think you will find you cannot open a bike shop?? Then u need 4 thai workers per one farang employed.

Then there is the HUGE mountain of paperwork and frustration organising work permits etc. Its a never ending headache.

Best way to enjoy Thailand is to stay out of the limelight, keep ur head low and go riding.

The paper work is easy, for the first time get help but after the first year you can easily do it yourself. Yes, maybe every bodies definition of a mountain of paper work is different. Yes patience is needed at immigration (Chiang Mai) but they can also be most helpful if you treat them respectfully and politely.

I'm as cheap as the come, but would happily pay more for quality work.

Im just going by my own experiences.....my stack of paper each renewal is now over 100mm high..organised by my legal guy, and even he gets frustrated at all the new requirements each time, and need every page signed.

Even to the stage where need a letter from local Tax dept to verify that the authentic tax dept receipts for tax paid are authentic.

Most are the same papers submitted each time (god knows why needed?) but tax social tax etc need updating, plus list including photos of Thai workers, 4 per farang and Immigration come and check to see true!!

But yes Im sure there is a need for a good skilled, English speaking conscientious, bike mechanic.

Then quite likely the local somchai mechanic sees you busy and doing well.....gets pissed/jealous, calls his BiB mate and ur troubles start....

I know...Ive been there, done that, where a jealous competitor stirs up trouble for u. Im a very easy going guy never create a problem......I was bailed up by a dozen well armed immigration police on a trumped up charge by a competitor. It was only some good talking by a good business oriented, overseas educated Thai, plus a suitable payment, that saved me from a vist to Bkk detention.

My boss is regularly interviewed and has even spent a couple of nights at the pleasure of the BiB rest rooms....he has never done anything wrong!! Just some well connected person/competitor stirring trouble.

I will also state...that the business is in one of the worst corrupt areas of Thailand ....

Enjoy Thailand..its a great place to enjoy..... as long as you keep your head down and out of the limelight.

[JonnyF]

I'd happily pay extra for an experienced, competent and honest farang big bike mechanic. Just being able to explain the problem, agree an approximate price and an estimated completion date would be worth the extra money for me - especially if he was service minded and picked up the bike, returned it etc. which I would also be happy to pay for as long as it was somewhere near cost.

I know a good honest Thai guy here in BKK but it can still be frustrating explaining the problem, even with a Thai to help - if the "helper" doesn't know bikes or hasn't ridden the bike then it's tough to explain even if they speak the same language. He doesn't really make the extra effort to source parts either, it's usually just one call and then "mai mee".

If it was me then I'd get a Thai (would have to be 100% trustable i.e. close family) to front the business and do the complicated work behind the scenes. As other guys have said, successful farang run businesses tend to attract attention - BIB shakedowns, increased rent etc.

[H2oDunc]

You cannot get a work permit to be a bike mechanic here in Thailand. I have a good friend here who tried and failed as it is a restricted job. You can get a permit to advise etc but as soon as you touch a bike that's you in the sh#t. As my friend can attest to.

[powderpuff]

Ask the same question on the GT riders board. Then go meet Pikey & have a heart to heart with him.

He will know any & every falang involved in mototcycles in CM. Speak to Ducati Garry. I personally think CM would be better.

[mallyrd]

First is to realize.... yes you will never get rich doing that......it will cost u more than u make.

next is check if its one of the "allowed" Businesses that a farang can be involved in. Unless its a "Thai owned" business I think you will find you cannot open a bike shop?? Then u need 4 thai workers per one farang employed.

Then there is the HUGE mountain of paperwork and frustration organising work permits etc. Its a never ending headache.

Best way to enjoy Thailand is to stay out of the limelight, keep ur head low and go riding.

If you are married to a Thai then you only need two Thai staff. An office cleaner, and a clerk for instance.

[LivinLOS]

You cannot get a work permit to be a bike mechanic here in Thailand. I have a good friend here who tried and failed as it is a restricted job. You can get a permit to advise etc but as soon as you touch a bike that's you in the sh#t. As my friend can attest to.

You cant be a mechanic perhaps but can be an engineering consultant..

Mate on Phuket had the WP, company etc.. He didnt go the 4 Thai staff route as he used to 90 day visa run. Cheaper all up.

[submaniac]

Getting back to the original question (which is not whether it is possible for a farang to even be a mechanic), if the question is where the bike shop should be located, I am kind of leaning at chiang mai. You say there is a better chance of survival in BKK, BUT BKK may be larger with more bikes that need to be repaired, but BKK there is more competition too. Not just from Somchai Thai shops but there is Red Baron and other big bike shops. Check around with bikers in Chiang Mai to see whether is a need for a legitimate (non-Thai halfassed style repair) mechanic. There is a significant farang population up there and you will be targeting those who are willing to spend more money to repair their bikes.

[wolf5370]

I live in CM - I'd be a customer assuming the price wasn't too far different (at least for the basics) than the local boyz. Lot of bike places up here (mostly old shed type of places - no electronics/computers just spanners, spit and sweat) if specialist mods/services were available - carb balancing, dyno jetting, headlight modulation, computer tuning etc. - then I think you may get a good flow of customers both foreign and local.

May help not to be in the centre of town - from a bully boy tactics / fit up point of view - no real need, people will travel (and better if you can pick up) to the outer ring road for good work I think. Lot less people to p!ss off and less BiB to notice a new target too. Just a thought.

Edited January 29, 2011 by wolf5370

[LivinLOS]

CM or bangkok I agree CM.. I get the impression theres a fairly decent set of competent mechanics in Bangkok and CM has lots of riders.

Tho the place thats crying out for one is Phuket.. More costs there but no competition.

[BigBikeBKK]

There are already plenty of full service shops and skilled reliable motorcycle mechanics in CM so you will certainly have some competition.

You might scratch out a living but you certainly won't get rich with this idea...

Good luck!

T

[LivinLOS]

There are already plenty of full service shops and skilled reliable motorcycle mechanics in CM

Well recently heard some negatives on Piston shop which was my previous favorite.. Joes bike team is less for the performance 4 pot crowd (is that a fair assessment ??)..

But I agree here theres already established shops and options.. Really on Phuket the options are dire.

[Garry]

There are already plenty of full service shops and skilled reliable motorcycle mechanics in CM so you will certainly have some competition.

You might scratch out a living but you certainly won't get rich with this idea...

Good luck!

T

Agreed Tony; it's going to be tough in CM as well. Plenty of reputable bike shops from what I have been told. I haven't visited any note worthy as yet. A glitzy showroom does nothing for me, it's the workshop I want to see. What they have and how they go about business is everything to me. Personally, I detest bike / mechanic shops that look like pig sty's.

Unlike most, I don't tend to visit other mechanics, unless it is specifically something I can't currently carry out on my bike with the tools on hand. My tool supply is getting larger & better mind you, now that I have found some quality tool suppliers in Chiang Rai. I honestly don't mind helping out riding buddies, but I won't work on junk. I'll leave that to the back-soi mechanics.

Edited February 1, 2011 by Garry