My car plates were extremely worn and most of the paint had peeled off on the front plate and the rear plate was almost as bad so I took the initiative and drove to the Land Transport Department and asked for new ones. Simple. A copy of your passport including the visa page. Your registration book. The two worn plates. (be sure you have a screwdriver to remove the plates). Hand them your car registration book and the plates. Pay 205 Baht. They attach a receipt to the registration book with a telephone number to call. Should be ready within 90 days. (90 days? Oh no!)

As I was leaving I turned and asked 'what about temporary replacement plates'? They said they don't provide them and they are not necessary. 'Won't the police bother me,' I asked? One of the clerks jokingly shouted out 'make your own plates out of paper!' I retorted 'what happens to them when it rains'? They assured me that the police with not bother me as long as I have the registration book with the attached receipt. I have been driving without plates for the last few days and I must say that I feel a bit uneasy despite the transport departments assurances.

Scan the plates beforehand and laminate. Should be good for 90 days.

I've waited almost a year for replacement stolen plate. Call in every 2 weeks. Still nothing. Just wrote it in with a marker pen. Never been stopped. Keep the documentation just in case...

I wonder if your plates are part of the bad batch that was issued a couple of years ago. Mine appear to be the same and as far as I am concerned the LTO is responsible. If they let a contract that resulted in defective plates then it is up to them to rectify the problem, not me

I lost the front plate on my 4x4 while fording rivers on an off-road trip about 7 years ago. I went to the nearest police station once back on normal roads and made a report. I subsequently drove the car for about 2 years and 30,000+Kms without the front plate, both in Bkk and up-country, through police checks etc...never had a problem. Even was stopped by police a few times - they trying so hard for their tea money making up non-existent offences like "no turn right here"..etc especially in Bkk - but they never even thought it was unusual to NOT have the front plate.

Also on a new Vigo, the local Toyota dealer had used all their red plates and that was used without any plates for maybe 6 months all over Thailand. Never a problem.

I never knew any of this about getting new plates, so how do people get those decorative plates with scenes of Bangkok temples in the background? I thought they just bought them from shops.

I never knew any of this about getting new plates, so how do people get those decorative plates with scenes of Bangkok temples in the background? I thought they just bought them from shops.

Not from a shop they all get completly ripped off at a Government auction for them.

I never knew any of this about getting new plates, so how do people get those decorative plates with scenes of Bangkok temples in the background? I thought they just bought them from shops.

Not from a shop they all get completly ripped off at a Government auction for them.

Why would that be a rip off? It may be expensive, but own, free choice.

Bought some near matching enamel paint a few years ago and just use a small touch up paint brush to periodically give em a dab. Look a bit speckled but absolutely no worries from the BiB.