Riding A "Big Bike" In Thailand W/O Plates

[powderpuff]

thanks for the replys fellas, firstly it has to be auto and carry a bit of luggage. It has to be comfortable happy to sit behind buses and not between them.

couldnt I register the tmax after a green book? although 200k$ all up maybe a expensive for a 2004 bike with a few cliks.

Any other suggestions for an aouto bike. silverwing maybe?

thanks again, I have a few years experience riding in pattaya on the usual 125cc but ready for a bigger cruiser style now.

Yeah. Wait for a fully road legal TMAX Silverwing etc to come up for sale in the second hand market. Patience is needed.

[powderpuff]

I agree, after further research, I've decided not to go ahead with the Suzuki Volty 250cc. But, you say that you've bought a 400cc with Green Book for same price? What make/model/year? In what condition? I have been looking on EVERY Thai website, also at ThaiVisa, Craigslist......NOTHING decent in a 400cc for less than 60k and WITHOUT a Green Book. In what year did you buy yours? If you can you show me a Honda CB400cc, or a Yami SR400, at 40k WITH a green book, I will pay you a 10% commission fee. I went to see a Honda GB250 Clubman for 37k, NO Green Book, it looked okay, but needed shitloads of work: fork springs, tires, rear shocks, valve job (maybe even a whole top end), a junker. I am not ranting at you here, please don't be mistaken, I am just shocked at your ability to find such, or your seemingly phenomenal luck at doing so. Cheers! My offer still applies!

It appears you have done your homework. I bought my 1994 ish CB400 from Porn. It was recently imported in wooden boxes. When I saw it he told me he wanted 65,000 baht. Was a killer deal till I found out it hadn't yet been registered. I had 2 options. Fake Gray green book (recycled) for 25,000 baht or virgin green book for 40,000. They cost more than that now. I chose option A. So I paid 90,000 for the moto & sold it a few years later for 100,000. I never had any problems renewing the plate at DLT. But if I had to do it over I would have paid the extra 15,000 for a legit book.

I agree any CB400 at anywhere close to that price will be a BROS which is really obsolete. Even CB400 Superfour are hard to get spares because they were never imported to Thailand.

Today virgin green books are between 60-100,000 baht.

[BigBikeBKK]

I would like to thank everyone here for their input. 99% of you have been most helpful. By the way, does anyone know the going rate for getting one of these "Big Bike" imports registered with a Green Book? I have heard anywhere from 30-70k, and why does the price vary?.......the cost could be more than what I spend for the bike!! Is this a mafia thing? If not, Thailand has some whacked out way of dealing with motorists........especially motorcyclists. (Thais need not be offended.)

Welcome to Thailand! :jap:

[hehehoho]

I agree, after further research, I've decided not to go ahead with the Suzuki Volty 250cc. But, you say that you've bought a 400cc with Green Book for same price? What make/model/year? In what condition? I have been looking on EVERY Thai website, also at ThaiVisa, Craigslist......NOTHING decent in a 400cc for less than 60k and WITHOUT a Green Book. In what year did you buy yours? If you can you show me a Honda CB400cc, or a Yami SR400, at 40k WITH a green book, I will pay you a 10% commission fee. I went to see a Honda GB250 Clubman for 37k, NO Green Book, it looked okay, but needed shitloads of work: fork springs, tires, rear shocks, valve job (maybe even a whole top end), a junker. I am not ranting at you here, please don't be mistaken, I am just shocked at your ability to find such, or your seemingly phenomenal luck at doing so. Cheers! My offer still applies!

Here's a CBR400, taxed until next year, cosmetically looking good for 38,000b.

http://www.thaisecondhand.com/_board/ca/data/CA9676820.html

I'd be wary about 2nd hand bikes like this, especially off such sites, and would need to check up every legality in person.

Does that final '5' on the tax disk look off line with the others??

Bloody cheap though. Might actually buy it myself as a toy thing that would no doubt need some fixing up in the coming years/months/days.

Oh yeah, my 10%, I'll take that as cash thanks.

[hehehoho]

If somebody needs a reliable, everyday bike on a low budget I just can't see the sense in going for some old, and probably poorly maintained import.

It's Thailand, if on a budget and need reliability go for something a bit more boring but will probably cause a lot less heartache. Pushing 400cc's of weight along Sukhumvit in the midday sun isn't going to be fun.

Even an older model CBR150 would be a good buy for under 40,000b. In the coming years the situation will greatly improve in this regard with the ninja 250s, CBR 250s and the kawa 650s all gaining years and going down in resale value, while obviously keeping their full legality and ease of parts/care. Great stuff compared to the situation now, not to mention years gone by.

Edited April 25, 2011 by hehehoho

[powderpuff]

I was thinking the same thing. If your budget is 45,000 go for a couple years old CBR150R in mint condition. Best bang for the buck.

[Garry]

or a 2009 kwaker ER6n at 180k fully legal and spareparts in every town next day

most spareparts for TMax takes 3 months from yammy Thailand

Or you can buy a Ducati...uh..wait a sec, probably not

I don't get what's so funny.

Or is that you can afford a Ducati and he can't that's amusing?

Oh give me a break, it was meant in jest on the fact that spares parts are so readily available in Thailand for ER6n's, whereas my particular Ducati model isn't.

Hence my joke, that in perhaps it would not be advisable to buy one. Yes they are expensive, especially a legally imported one. I saved up for nearly two years and sold my middle east spec 2004 R1 to cover it. Here in Thailand Ducati's are virtually double their value to the western world.

So the bottom line is...Yes I could afford, because I worked and saved for it..!!!! If you don't like, tough shit..have a nice day :jap:

[submaniac]

I agree, after further research, I've decided not to go ahead with the Suzuki Volty 250cc. But, you say that you've bought a 400cc with Green Book for same price? What make/model/year? In what condition? I have been looking on EVERY Thai website, also at ThaiVisa, Craigslist......NOTHING decent in a 400cc for less than 60k and WITHOUT a Green Book. In what year did you buy yours? If you can you show me a Honda CB400cc, or a Yami SR400, at 40k WITH a green book, I will pay you a 10% commission fee. I went to see a Honda GB250 Clubman for 37k, NO Green Book, it looked okay, but needed shitloads of work: fork springs, tires, rear shocks, valve job (maybe even a whole top end), a junker. I am not ranting at you here, please don't be mistaken, I am just shocked at your ability to find such, or your seemingly phenomenal luck at doing so. Cheers! My offer still applies!

I don't see what's so great about this deal. 45,000 baht for this bike is not cheap at all. For that price you could (and I have done it) purchase a 400cc sportbike with green book. A Suzuki volt? 250cc 4 stroke single cylinder? Sorry, but what's so great about it. Maybe if it was a cb750, a gb250 clubman or something interesting, I could perhaps see why...

Well if I was in Thailand (instead of California) right now, I would help look for you. The bike in question is the subject of this thread:

It is a 1989 Yamaha FZR400R. It was originally bought for less than 40k baht. HOWEVER, it ended up costing more. When I bought it, it was supposed to have a legit, good greenbook. The greenbook was good, but the engine did not match the frame number on the green book (DLT had the engine number as previously been destroyed). So hence, we had to ship a new engine from Japan, pay the import duties, and pay to change the engine number in the green book before DLT would let us transfer ownership. My uncle (who owns a factory) had one of his people completely respray the thing in its original colors. The bike was not actually "found" by me. The deal is that my cousin found the bike, and bought the bike for that price. Needless to say, the "powers that be" (being my uncle and myself) were worried about his safety (we love him, but I really worried about his riding skills since he has been in some car accidents) so I ended up buying it from him.

I was looking for bikes at the same time he was looking for his. This was probably 3-4 years ago. When I was looking I was finding NSR250's for 45,000 baht with green book all day long (and I would much rather have a two cylinder two stroke 250cc over a volt any day). Can occasionally find CBR's for around that price, if you look. It also helps if you can read Thai and/or have someone who reads Thai look for you and negotiate the price.

[Garry]

I agree, after further research, I've decided not to go ahead with the Suzuki Volty 250cc. But, you say that you've bought a 400cc with Green Book for same price? What make/model/year? In what condition? I have been looking on EVERY Thai website, also at ThaiVisa, Craigslist......NOTHING decent in a 400cc for less than 60k and WITHOUT a Green Book. In what year did you buy yours? If you can you show me a Honda CB400cc, or a Yami SR400, at 40k WITH a green book, I will pay you a 10% commission fee. I went to see a Honda GB250 Clubman for 37k, NO Green Book, it looked okay, but needed shitloads of work: fork springs, tires, rear shocks, valve job (maybe even a whole top end), a junker. I am not ranting at you here, please don't be mistaken, I am just shocked at your ability to find such, or your seemingly phenomenal luck at doing so. Cheers! My offer still applies!

I don't see what's so great about this deal. 45,000 baht for this bike is not cheap at all. For that price you could (and I have done it) purchase a 400cc sportbike with green book. A Suzuki volt? 250cc 4 stroke single cylinder? Sorry, but what's so great about it. Maybe if it was a cb750, a gb250 clubman or something interesting, I could perhaps see why...

Well if I was in Thailand (instead of California) right now, I would help look for you. The bike in question is the subject of this thread:

http://www.thaivisa....-leave-it-as-is

It is a 1989 Yamaha FZR400R. It was originally bought for less than 40k baht. HOWEVER, it ended up costing more. When I bought it, it was supposed to have a legit, good greenbook. The greenbook was good, but the engine did not match the frame number on the green book (DLT had the engine number as previously been destroyed). So hence, we had to ship a new engine from Japan, pay the import duties, and pay to change the engine number in the green book before DLT would let us transfer ownership. My uncle (who owns a factory) had one of his people completely respray the thing in its original colors. The bike was not actually "found" by me. The deal is that my cousin found the bike, and bought the bike for that price. Needless to say, the "powers that be" (being my uncle and myself) were worried about his safety (we love him, but I really worried about his riding skills since he has been in some car accidents) so I ended up buying it from him.

I was looking for bikes at the same time he was looking for his. This was probably 3-4 years ago. When I was looking I was finding NSR250's for 45,000 baht with green book all day long (and I would much rather have a two cylinder two stroke 250cc over a volt any day). Can occasionally find CBR's for around that price, if you look. It also helps if you can read Thai and/or have someone who reads Thai look for you and negotiate the price.

Might be worth while to have a look around at some of the big bike rentals for what the OP is after. If the paperwork is good, perhaps they could make a deal with the rental operators...just a thought

[Shocktreatment]

Bikes without plates and book are being impunded every day. Later sold on auction.

The new plate law since November?2010, fine is max 50.000 baht and imprisonment max 1 year.

in addition Insurance issues, no 3rd party = up to 10 mill baht for medical/death, up to 5 million material, if casualty 200k bailbond to stay out of jail, but the above plate law probaly gets you to jail anyhow

You may be able to ride for months and be issued small "fines", or you may not

Not saying that law is not real but seems many in Thailand arent aware of it, I was down at the police station so I thought I would ask them what the fine was for bike with no plate, 500 baht.

Asked two Thai mates that both own large bike shops, same same no problem, 500 baht.

Do you have a link for me to that new law

[katabeachbum]

Bikes without plates and book are being impunded every day. Later sold on auction.

The new plate law since November?2010, fine is max 50.000 baht and imprisonment max 1 year.

in addition Insurance issues, no 3rd party = up to 10 mill baht for medical/death, up to 5 million material, if casualty 200k bailbond to stay out of jail, but the above plate law probaly gets you to jail anyhow

You may be able to ride for months and be issued small "fines", or you may not

Not saying that law is not real but seems many in Thailand arent aware of it, I was down at the police station so I thought I would ask them what the fine was for bike with no plate, 500 baht.

Asked two Thai mates that both own large bike shops, same same no problem, 500 baht.

Do you have a link for me to that new law

search Phuketgazettedotnet, about 6 months ago

any policedistrict is free to set fines within the laws limit, so riding with no plate depends on where you are and who you meet, 200 baht to 50.000 baht is the range

The fine for riding a legally registered bike with valid tax and insurance is 200-1000 baht if plate is lost but not yet reported lost

In rural areas most bikes, even newish, have no plate as they dont want to pay tax and insurance every year. No one cares

[Shocktreatment]

Bikes without plates and book are being impunded every day. Later sold on auction.

The new plate law since November?2010, fine is max 50.000 baht and imprisonment max 1 year.

in addition Insurance issues, no 3rd party = up to 10 mill baht for medical/death, up to 5 million material, if casualty 200k bailbond to stay out of jail, but the above plate law probaly gets you to jail anyhow

You may be able to ride for months and be issued small "fines", or you may not

Not saying that law is not real but seems many in Thailand arent aware of it, I was down at the police station so I thought I would ask them what the fine was for bike with no plate, 500 baht.

Asked two Thai mates that both own large bike shops, same same no problem, 500 baht.

Do you have a link for me to that new law

search Phuketgazettedotnet, about 6 months ago

any policedistrict is free to set fines within the laws limit, so riding with no plate depends on where you are and who you meet, 200 baht to 50.000 baht is the range

The fine for riding a legally registered bike with valid tax and insurance is 200-1000 baht if plate is lost but not yet reported lost

In rural areas most bikes, even newish, have no plate as they dont want to pay tax and insurance every year. No one cares

I think maybe the law was bought in, in Phuket as they seem to run and a different set of rules. You would think the Bangkok post or someone would have picked up on this story.

As for most rural big bikes not having a plate is not true, yes I own many bikes and some plated and some not, If riding down towards Bangkok I will take a plated bike if going to Changmai or north east I will get away with unplate with excises tax paper work.

If the local coppers could be pulling guys on unplated bike and extorting upto 50,000 baht from you and take your bike they would be doing it.

I call bullshit on you new law.

[katabeachbum]

Bikes without plates and book are being impunded every day. Later sold on auction.

The new plate law since November?2010, fine is max 50.000 baht and imprisonment max 1 year.

in addition Insurance issues, no 3rd party = up to 10 mill baht for medical/death, up to 5 million material, if casualty 200k bailbond to stay out of jail, but the above plate law probaly gets you to jail anyhow

You may be able to ride for months and be issued small "fines", or you may not

Not saying that law is not real but seems many in Thailand arent aware of it, I was down at the police station so I thought I would ask them what the fine was for bike with no plate, 500 baht.

Asked two Thai mates that both own large bike shops, same same no problem, 500 baht.

Do you have a link for me to that new law

search Phuketgazettedotnet, about 6 months ago

any policedistrict is free to set fines within the laws limit, so riding with no plate depends on where you are and who you meet, 200 baht to 50.000 baht is the range

The fine for riding a legally registered bike with valid tax and insurance is 200-1000 baht if plate is lost but not yet reported lost

In rural areas most bikes, even newish, have no plate as they dont want to pay tax and insurance every year. No one cares

I think maybe the law was bought in, in Phuket as they seem to run and a different set of rules. You would think the Bangkok post or someone would have picked up on this story.

As for most rural big bikes not having a plate is not true, yes I own many bikes and some plated and some not, If riding down towards Bangkok I will take a plated bike if going to Changmai or north east I will get away with unplate with excises tax paper work.

If the local coppers could be pulling guys on unplated bike and extorting upto 50,000 baht from you and take your bike they would be doing it.

I call bullshit on you new law.

its not my law, and totally up to you what you call it and the risks you are willing to take. However the law is for the whole country, and when you asked for a link, I provided one phuketsource we are allowed to quote. BKK post does not want to be quoted or linked here on TV

I said nothing about rural BIG bikes, I said bikes. I spend a month or so a year in rural Thailand, and most have no plate, new or newish or old

[Shocktreatment]

Mate I have over 10 years in rural Thailand and can tell you that most bikes have plates, sure there are a few shit boxes for around the village only that have no plates and the new ones you see are waiting on plates. but most bikes have plates

So far you have tolded me to seach some Phuket web paper ? its hardly very convincing.

I have been to the police and they told me it was was bullshit.

I went to the two largest bike shops here and who are both motorcycle importers and they know nothing of the new law.

Have just spoken to another mate that has a shop and also a import license and he laughed about it but will do some checking and get back to me.

But at the moment it doesnt seem very real.

Edited April 29, 2011 by Shocktreatment

[deadman]

I have a question on this general topic that i hope someone can answer, maybe kata or another of the more well informed members

What about a bike that has everything paid for the greenbook and all the papers issued by the transport dept, but the greenbook has not been finished being processed. Is it OK to ride in the meantime or would one be better off waiting till the greenbook has arrived?

cheers

D

M

[Shocktreatment]

I have a question on this general topic that i hope someone can answer, maybe kata or another of the more well informed members

What about a bike that has everything paid for the greenbook and all the papers issued by the transport dept, but the greenbook has not been finished being processed. Is it OK to ride in the meantime or would one be better off waiting till the greenbook has arrived?

cheers

D

M

Depends where you live, if you are in the north or north east and you have your invoice excise tax paper you should be ok.

Just met a guy down at the bike shop, rode from Hat yai upto the north east on a red plated bike with no book and no excise tax, was told by the guy that sold it to him that, that would be fine. Very lucky guy not to be pulled and get the bike impounded and fined.

[snowflake]

You should carry the receipt with you for the bike, that way they can see that you have just bought it and that the plates are being prepared for you, as the book is...

Talk nicely to the police and they are not that bad!

They do understand that it can take some time to get a book ready... TIT and the wheels turn slowly!!!

[troehr]

Mate I have over 10 years in rural Thailand and can tell you that most bikes have plates, sure there are a few shit boxes for around the village only that have no plates and the new ones you see are waiting on plates. but most bikes have plates

So far you have tolded me to seach some Phuket web paper ? its hardly very convincing.

I have been to the police and they told me it was was bullshit.

I went to the two largest bike shops here and who are both motorcycle importers and they know nothing of the new law.

Have just spoken to another mate that has a shop and also a import license and he laughed about it but will do some checking and get back to me.

But at the moment it doesnt seem very real.

Well, I live in the rural area. Last night I went to dinner and there was five motorcycles at the restaurant that were big bikes. Mine was the only one with a plate. I would call 80% most. I was at Sam Phan Bok a few weeks back and a group of more than 20 big bikes road in. All of them were over 400cc's and either Hondas or HDs. Only two had plates. Again that to me qualifies as most. I hardly ever see a big bike with plates here that is not a CBR150.

[Shocktreatment]

Mate I have over 10 years in rural Thailand and can tell you that most bikes have plates, sure there are a few shit boxes for around the village only that have no plates and the new ones you see are waiting on plates. but most bikes have plates

So far you have tolded me to seach some Phuket web paper ? its hardly very convincing.

I have been to the police and they told me it was was bullshit.

I went to the two largest bike shops here and who are both motorcycle importers and they know nothing of the new law.

Have just spoken to another mate that has a shop and also a import license and he laughed about it but will do some checking and get back to me.

But at the moment it doesnt seem very real.

Well, I live in the rural area. Last night I went to dinner and there was five motorcycles at the restaurant that were big bikes. Mine was the only one with a plate. I would call 80% most. I was at Sam Phan Bok a few weeks back and a group of more than 20 big bikes road in. All of them were over 400cc's and either Hondas or HDs. Only two had plates. Again that to me qualifies as most. I hardly ever see a big bike with plates here that is not a CBR150.

He was talking about small bikes but yes there are many unplated big bikes still on the road as they are only worried about the excise tax at the moment. but alot less than there was years ago. I live in rural Thailand as well as having a house in the city so I live between, At a guess I would say 30% of the bike bikes are with out plates in our area. Went to a Harley shop opening last week and it was more like 10% unplated

[Shocktreatment]

You should carry the receipt with you for the bike, that way they can see that you have just bought it and that the plates are being prepared for you, as the book is...

Talk nicely to the police and they are not that bad!

They do understand that it can take some time to get a book ready... TIT and the wheels turn slowly!!!

A smile always helps, I got pulled with a bike on a pickup with no book or excise tax receipt but what I did have was all import papers and a paper saying that they were still working out the amount due for the excise tax to be paid.At first they tried to take the bike and took 2 hours of getting friends on the phone telling them they have no right to take the bike, Then it when too 10K as they were losing and ended at 2k.

Aholes.

[troehr]

Mate I have over 10 years in rural Thailand and can tell you that most bikes have plates, sure there are a few shit boxes for around the village only that have no plates and the new ones you see are waiting on plates. but most bikes have plates

So far you have tolded me to seach some Phuket web paper ? its hardly very convincing.

I have been to the police and they told me it was was bullshit.

I went to the two largest bike shops here and who are both motorcycle importers and they know nothing of the new law.

Have just spoken to another mate that has a shop and also a import license and he laughed about it but will do some checking and get back to me.

But at the moment it doesnt seem very real.

Well, I live in the rural area. Last night I went to dinner and there was five motorcycles at the restaurant that were big bikes. Mine was the only one with a plate. I would call 80% most. I was at Sam Phan Bok a few weeks back and a group of more than 20 big bikes road in. All of them were over 400cc's and either Hondas or HDs. Only two had plates. Again that to me qualifies as most. I hardly ever see a big bike with plates here that is not a CBR150.

Well, the thread topic is about big bikes, not little bikes. Big bikes are the ones most often without proper documentation.

He was talking about small bikes but yes there are many unplated big bikes still on the road as they are only worried about the excise tax at the moment. but alot less than there was years ago. I live in rural Thailand as well as having a house in the city so I live between, At a guess I would say 30% of the bike bikes are with out plates in our area. Went to a Harley shop opening last week and it was more like 10% unplated

Well, the thread topic is about big bikes, not little bikes. Big bikes are the ones most often without proper documentation.

[Shocktreatment]

Bikes without plates and book are being impunded every day. Later sold on auction.

The new plate law since November?2010, fine is max 50.000 baht and imprisonment max 1 year.

Well all the guys are saying its bullshit but have a mate digging a bit depper to try and find out something about it.

Not one single guy I have spoken to has heard of anyone lossing a bike just because it didnt have a plate or green book yet you say its happing every day ? funny how I have been living and riding all over Thailand for over 10 years and have many contacts and yet none of them know of people losing bike just because of no plate or book. Sure plenty impounded and fined then released but none I know of sold at auction. The only way this would happen is if you dont have import papers or you refuse to pay the fine or excise tax.

Its a bit like importing motorcycles the moment people mention it all the scare mongers come running

[Shocktreatment]

Well, the thread topic is about big bikes, not little bikes. Big bikes are the ones most often without proper documentation.

He was talking about small bikes but yes there are many unplated big bikes still on the road as they are only worried about the excise tax at the moment. but alot less than there was years ago. I live in rural Thailand as well as having a house in the city so I live between, At a guess I would say 30% of the bike bikes are with out plates in our area. Went to a Harley shop opening last week and it was more like 10% unplated

Well, the thread topic is about big bikes, not little bikes. Big bikes are the ones most often without proper documentation.

Dont tell me, tell the guy that wrote it, so how many years did it take for you to work that out

[Phuketscooter]

Thailand Forum: Missing Number Plates - Thailand Forum

Seeing Red: A 'red plate' ready to be fitted. Photo by Pimwara Choksakulpan.

PHUKET: Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) Chief Kanok Siripanichkorn has told the Gazette that people driving cars with red license plates have just one month to get regular “white plates” on their cars – or face the consequences.

The warning for Phuket drivers follows Land Transport Department Director-General Chairat Sanguansue’s announcement of a "crackdown" on people illegally driving cars with red plates, which can incur fines of up to 10,000 baht.

Mr Kanok said that many people in Phuket drive cars with red plates, a clear sign that the vehicle has yet to be registered with the Land Transport Department.

He said he understood that some of these drivers were genuinely waiting for car registrations to be approved. The department will take no action against any law-abiding motorist whose car is less than one month old or has not been driven more than 3,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

Many other owners, however, continue driving with red plates in order to suggest the car is brand-new, he said.

In other cases they are simply waiting for their preferred “lucky number” registration, won at an auction organized by the PLTO, to be approved.

That process that can take several months and regular plates must be issued for them during the interim, he added.

Red plates being used longer than needed costs the department revenue from registration fees not paid and makes it much more difficult to track stolen vehicles, he said.

Red license plates are issued to car dealers and garages only, so that vehicles can be driven on public roads temporarily in order to reach dealerships or be repaired, he explained.

It is illegal to drive cars with red plates at night, from sunset to sunrise, without express permission from the Land Transport Department. Such permission is restricted to a maximum of five consecutive nights, he added.

Driving a car with red plates at night without permission can incur a fine of between 200 and 2,000 baht. Driving a car with red plates during the day for personal business can leave the driver open to charges of driving an unregistered vehicle, he warned.

“If we find a car with red plates that was bought one year ago, it means the driver has no intention of registering the car. They will be fined between 1,000 and 10,000 baht,” he said.

Motorists who have been issued regular white license plates, but have yet to fit them to their cars, face fines of between 200 and 2,000 baht, he added.

Chief Kanok also warned motorists against using counterfeit red plates or modifying genuine plates – red or white – by covering them with images or enlarging them. Doing so is punishable with six months to five years in jail or a fine between 1,000 and 10,000 baht, he said.

“Only license plates that have been sold by [Land Transport Department] auction are allowed to have images on them.

“If officers find modified plates, the officers will take photos as evidence and file the charge in our computer database. The driver must pay the fine when he renews his car registration.”

In a bid to get more people to renew vehicle registrations on time, the PLTO has extended its normal office hours.

Chief Kanok said the sections that process the applications now start 30 minutes earlier, at 8am. PLTO staff now work through the traditional one-hour lunch break and finish one hour later, at 5:30pm.

Moreover, vehicle registration renewals are available every Saturday and Sunday at Big C from 10am to 6pm. The counter is on the basement level and can be reached by turning right after getting off the escalator.

– Pimwara Choksakulpan

The Phuket Gazette

[Shocktreatment]

So driving a car with a red plate and no book or white plate gets you a max 10,000 baht fine.

But a bike with no book or white plate gets you a max 50,000 baht fine and up to one year in jail, plus take your bike and sell it at auction

Plus to think the police are just not inforcing the law when there is a chance for them to score a big bike and a nice little kick back of upto 50k.

Something isnt adding up

Edited May 1, 2011 by Shocktreatment

[katabeachbum]

So driving a car with a red plate and no book or white plate gets you a max 10,000 baht fine.

But a bike with no book or white plate gets you a max 50,000 baht fine and up to one year in jail, plus take your bike and sell it at auction

Plus to think the police are just not inforcing the law when there is a chance for them to score a big bike and a nice little kick back of upto 50k.

Something isnt adding up

Police get kick back, both the fining officer and policestation for the following fines only

seatbelt, speeding, helmet, no lisence, no light bike daytime, no tax sticker, drunkdriving and some other traffic offenses and for no plate on registered vehicle(limited to 2k baht).

They do not recieve kickback for breach of plate law limited to 50k baht.

The article is from September 2009, and max fine has later been increased to 50k baht

According to this article its up to 5 years in prison for fake or covered plate, so my memory obvioulsy failed me when I previously stated one year.

and enforced it is, but of course not every day at every junction, so you may get by for a year. Or not.

of course your bike importing and dealing friends do not want to know about this law, as it hurts the sale of Invoice bikes badly

[Shocktreatment]

The point is if they could be impounding bikes with fines upto 50K they would be extorting money from every non plated bike owner its pretty simple mate Thai police really couldnt care about your little kick back list.

As for the farang guys that import bikes they are booked and plated both before and when sold so this law doesnt mean much to them. With the Thai guys they arent to worried and only will plate a bike when the new buyer asks.

Just show me a link where its says the law has come into effect and I will beleive it, but at the moment I have you word against the local main city police station, and 3 bike shop owners and importers and every other biker I have spoken too.

Who owns all these non plated bikes that are impounded and sold at auction daily. you are on about.

Must 100s of guys on TV with unplated bikes and I dont see to many coming forward with bike impounding storys

[katabeachbum]

The point is if they could be impounding bikes with fines upto 50K they would be extorting money from every non plated bike owner its pretty simple mate Thai police really couldnt care about your little kick back list.

As for the farang guys that import bikes they are booked and plated both before and when sold so this law doesnt mean much to them. With the Thai guys they arent to worried and only will plate a bike when the new buyer asks.

Just show me a link where its says the law has come into effect and I will beleive it, but at the moment I have you word against the local main city police station, and 3 bike shop owners and importers and every other biker I have spoken too.

Who owns all these non plated bikes that are impounded and sold at auction daily. you are on about.

Must 100s of guys on TV with unplated bikes and I dont see to many coming forward with bike impounding storys

you have been provided with an august 2009 link while fine was still max 10.000 baht and 5 years in jail. and you still dont believe it. up to you

who owns the bikes and cars sold at auction? the Government, as the previous owner was in breach of plate law or unpayed taxes :lol:

[Shocktreatment]

The point is if they could be impounding bikes with fines upto 50K they would be extorting money from every non plated bike owner its pretty simple mate Thai police really couldnt care about your little kick back list.

As for the farang guys that import bikes they are booked and plated both before and when sold so this law doesnt mean much to them. With the Thai guys they arent to worried and only will plate a bike when the new buyer asks.

Just show me a link where its says the law has come into effect and I will beleive it, but at the moment I have you word against the local main city police station, and 3 bike shop owners and importers and every other biker I have spoken too.

Who owns all these non plated bikes that are impounded and sold at auction daily. you are on about.

Must 100s of guys on TV with unplated bikes and I dont see to many coming forward with bike impounding storys

you have been provided with an august 2009 link while fine was still max 10.000 baht and 5 years in jail. and you still dont believe it. up to you

who owns the bikes and cars sold at auction? the Government, as the previous owner was in breach of plate law or unpayed taxes :lol:

The 5 years and upto 10K is for counterfeit plates or modifying plates, So if thats what you base your new law on as its a Phuket crack down only,

Yes I think you will find the people that had there bikes taken from them had no supporting paper work to show the bike was legal in the country and or didnt pay the required taxes. Really nothing to do with not having a number plate but saying that when I lived in Phuket police were stricked on plate laws and always have been.

I think you been hearing to many bar stool storys.

You havent provide a single item to back up any new plate law except your words but are quick to tell me the police are wrong and my import mates are lying.

[katabeachbum]

The point is if they could be impounding bikes with fines upto 50K they would be extorting money from every non plated bike owner its pretty simple mate Thai police really couldnt care about your little kick back list.

As for the farang guys that import bikes they are booked and plated both before and when sold so this law doesnt mean much to them. With the Thai guys they arent to worried and only will plate a bike when the new buyer asks.

Just show me a link where its says the law has come into effect and I will beleive it, but at the moment I have you word against the local main city police station, and 3 bike shop owners and importers and every other biker I have spoken too.

Who owns all these non plated bikes that are impounded and sold at auction daily. you are on about.

Must 100s of guys on TV with unplated bikes and I dont see to many coming forward with bike impounding storys

you have been provided with an august 2009 link while fine was still max 10.000 baht and 5 years in jail. and you still dont believe it. up to you

who owns the bikes and cars sold at auction? the Government, as the previous owner was in breach of plate law or unpayed taxes :lol:

The 5 years and upto 10K is for counterfeit plates or modifying plates, So if thats what you base your new law on as its a Phuket crack down only,

Yes I think you will find the people that had there bikes taken from them had no supporting paper work to show the bike was legal in the country and or didnt pay the required taxes. Really nothing to do with not having a number plate but saying that when I lived in Phuket police were stricked on plate laws and always have been.

I think you been hearing to many bar stool storys.

You havent provide a single item to back up any new plate law except your words but are quick to tell me the police are wrong and my import mates are lying.

OPs question was, "Is it safe to ride in Thailand without a plate". It used to be a minor problem. It is in most of Thailand now a major problem.

any vehicle not road legal used on public roads can be impounded at any time. no bar stool storeys. just a pile of impounds. auction next week.

The 5 years and up to 50k fines covers any illegal plate including recycled books, and riding for a long time WO plate or on red plate. Smaller fines for riding more than 30 days/3k km with red plate or no plate. And as usual in LOS time is doubled when its organized crime, like a dealer providing recycled books

Sorry, used to have grey bikes myself, but this is the real world today