Work Permit To Buy Motorcycle? Help!

[megyboo]

Hey guys!

Small problem, I have been trying to buy a motorcycle from the underground carpark in Junceylon Shopping Center in Patong, Phuket.

The lady told me I need to have a work permit to purchase a motorcycle.

Why is this?

My one year B visa expires in 5 months and I hope to renew it but I have been lead to believe you must buy a one year work permit and that expires with your visa?

I have not got a clue how to get a work permit. I thought you need proof of a job to obtain this permit?

Please help

[MJo]

Nonsense, work permit is not needed to register a vehicle in your name.

Non-immigrant visa is listed in the requirements (i.e. your business visa) but reports say Phuket will register without as well.

I would not buy anything from any car park in Patong, visit any larger bike dealer in your area or Phuket town. They know what to do and will handle the registration for you.

[bangkokrick]

You only need to have a proof of address letter to buy a motor bike. You can get one from your embassy quite easily if you live here.

[MJo]

Requirements for registration.

1. Passport copies of front page, your non-imm B visa page, arrival stamp and the departure card

2. Proof of address by any of the following

- Yellow house book

- Work permit

- Letter from you embassy

- Letter from your local immigration

In your case you need to go with the letter from immigration, i'm sure others are here to advice on how to get one soon

The dealer will most likely ask you to sign some forms needed for the registration but will take care of it for you. Just use proper dealer, the bigger the better in most cases. If you can take some Thai friend with you to see all goes well.

[MJo]

And remember to sign every page of the copies. Called as "certified true copy" here but in reality is a photocopy that you have signed yourself.

[megyboo]

Thanks for the replies, I am very grateful

Is it true you need a work permit to renew your visa?

I got my visa through Siam Legal.

[CMSteve]

as long as you are paying cash you do not need a work permit. If you are attempting to finance the bike its possible you need a work permit.

[beechguy]

Thanks for the replies, I am very grateful

Is it true you need a work permit to renew your visa?

I got my visa through Siam Legal.

You would need a work permit, or proof of application for one, within the region.

[thanchart]

Are u talking a loan or pay cash? I needed the work permit for a loan to buy a scooter but did not have to have a Thai guarantor. The scooter comoany boss decude to waive it andmaybe his compmay took the risk instead. Maybe he was the guarantor in place.

[megyboo]

Are u talking a loan or pay cash? I needed the work permit for a loan to buy a scooter but did not have to have a Thai guarantor. The scooter comoany boss decude to waive it andmaybe his compmay took the risk instead. Maybe he was the guarantor in place.

Nope, I have cash sitting here months trying to buy one but they keep telling me "You need work permit, all falang need work permit or cannot"

[TongueThaied]

Simply put, you should have no more dealings with anyone who tells you you must have a work permit to buy a vehicle.

The fourth post, above, by MJo, states the only things you need. Don't believe anyone else. and don't do business with anyone who doesn't get it.

[keeniau96]

If you need residence verification go to Immigration, in Phuket it is at their Saipan Hin office.

BS about the work permit, buy some other place; Patong is hunting ground for many fakes and ripoff artists.

[surayu]

Nope, I have cash sitting here months trying to buy one but they keep telling me "You need work permit, all falang need work permit or cannot"

Well, seems you are dealing with some of the finest elements of the thai society, just give them what they deserve by going and buy it from a more honest person, those cheat/scum are the plague of an otherways wonderfull country.

Ohh and don't forgot to stop to say hello to her with your new shining motocy to say thanks, let her liver explode

[chris1970]

are you going to get a motorbike driving licence also ?

if you get a residence certificate from immigration it's valid for one month so you can use it to transfer the bike into your name first then when you apply for driving licence they will want to keep the original residence certificate.

if your buying a second handbike it's better to change the name at a transport office - you can the current owner go there together ideally and they check the bike etc, they give you ticket and you go back the next day or two to collect the reg. book,

there's a risk involved with buying from those second hand bike shops , the bikes probably wont be in their names and they will just have the transfer papers signed maybe from the original owner ?

[billd766]

Two of the most useful pieces of advice I can give you about buying a motorbike in Thailand.

1) Unless the bike has a green book please DO NOT touch it, don't walk but run away from it.

You will have no idea if the person selling it is the legal owner or not and if the bike is on finance in somebody else's name and a repo company sees you with it they can just take it away and you lose the bike and your money.

2) If it has a green book then tell the seller that you will happily pay him for the bike AFTER it is transferred into your name. He may also not be the owner and if the bike cannot be registered in your name and you have paid for it then once again you are not the legal owner.

If you personally know the owner for some time then it is probably OK.

If you buy through a reputable dealer it is usually OK but never buy from a car park as you will not know what you are buying.

It is your choice whether to take the advice or not but the truest thing said when buying things is caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.