Notice the number of cars, new and old, getting around without plates. Seems like its up to 1 in 20 or so. Is this a trend like hanging a korean doll or bull balls? Possibly a penalty from authorities??, but doubt it.

So no plates are the new red??

The few Thai's I've asked haavent been able to tell me.

I have seen a few cars with no back plate. and got told its to stop the red light cameras clocking the cars.

Interesting.

The reason for this (Chonburi area) is the Reg. dept . have no more blank plates i.e. the aluminium. I bought a new car in April, and was told it would be July before I had the plates. Some people have been waiting since February.The dealer now want their red plates back and they wil give me a letter for the police WHEN they stop me with no plates. My red plates are now not legal because it is over 30 days, but I will take a chance with the BIB. The dealer is really Pissed Off with me now

Nice explanation, but what about older cars??

I dont know about older cars, may be they are waiting for a new number i.e. re. reg. because they are in a new province. It is hard to believe it takes 5/6 months for that small bit of alloy.

next to my business there's a townhouse with 4 cars with no plates. Obviously those cars are all semi-expensive status cars driven by a terrible driver.. my guess is people are getting sent tickets in the mail by policemen who see them burning redlights or cutting policemen cars and now they want the freedom to be idiots.

It's amazing what answers you get to a simple question sometimes!

The reason for this (Chonburi area) is the Reg. dept . have no more blank plates i.e. the aluminium. I bought a new car in April, and was told it would be July before I had the plates. Some people have been waiting since February.The dealer now want their red plates back and they wil give me a letter for the police WHEN they stop me with no plates. My red plates are now not legal because it is over 30 days, but I will take a chance with the BIB. The dealer is really Pissed Off with me now

All DLT in Thailand are stocked up on new white plates, just go and have a look, they come in boxes.

Some dealers extend their credit with their supplier to the extreme, up to 6 months is interest free. Be aware you become the owner the day your name is in the reg book. Until then car is owned by maker, importer or dealer despite your payment of car

Now I know why the new car I bought in January still runs around on the Red Plates. 6 months this week since I drove it away from the dealer.

All DLT in Thailand are stocked up on new white plates, just go and have a look, they come in boxes.

Some dealers extend their credit with their supplier to the extreme, up to 6 months is interest free. Be aware you become the owner the day your name is in the reg book. Until then car is owned by maker, importer or dealer despite your payment of car

OK, my name is in reg. book, the reg. process was complete 3 weeks after I paid for the car. (21 April) but no plates in Chonburi DLT. You say they are all stocked up, have you proof of that. Why would they not issue plates when the reg. is complete? Look at all the cars in the Chonburi area now with no plates. It is not about the credit line when the reg is complete. I would also like to read some more comments on this esp. from people in this area.

So we have two theories: not enough aluminium around, and to avoid traffic penalties.

Very good, thankyou.