buying a new car uk citizen

[br0wnd0g23]

Hi

I know this post has been done before. But can anyone confirm for me the process please.

We will be moving to chiang mai next month and we are looking to buy a new car. my wife will have an education visa, I will be in and out, so no need for a visa.

The documents i think you need are:

passport

appropriate visa

and letter of residence.

As a UK citizen, can i confirm that i would need to go to the UK embassy to get this letter of residence.

Also with regards to the timescale. how long after you pay the money, how long would it take before we could drive off the forecourt with the car.

appreciate any advice

thanks

[chris2004]

I think you get the letter of residency from your local thai immigration office @ 300 baht.

I recently bought a new car using a bank cashier's cheque. Took it to the dealers and drove the car away immediately. Or you could pay cash and drive away.

[DILLIGAD]

500b tea money from around my area and as far as. "How long do you wait" , I think you need to tell us what you want? A Bugatti or a Nissan?

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[Amavel]

I have been waiting for a Ford Ecosport for 3 weeks. Supposed to be here in Trat by end of March.

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[br0wnd0g23]

Hi Thank you. We are possibly looking at getting a Toyota Yaris maybe. We are planning to hire a car for a month in the mean time. But this could be a bit pointless if i could get a car within a couple of weeks.

cheers for the replies

[KittenKong]

"As a UK citizen, can i confirm that i would need to go to the UK embassy to get this letter of residence."

You can get this certificate from any competent authority. It could be a consulate but is more commonly (and probably much more cheaply) your local immigration office. The real cost of this form at immigration is 0B and any money paid for it is tea-money for which you will not get a receipt. This is why the price varies from 0B (Bangkok) to anything up to 500B elsewhere. The last I heard Chiang Mai weren't doing these at all, but it seems to vary all the time there. You might like to ask in the CM sub-forum for up to date information. You will need some proof of address to get this from immigration (rental receipt, utility bill) and a couple of photos.

Your local town hall or police station are also competent to issue this certificate, but whether they will or not is another matter. You might have more success with them if you take a Thai person with you to assist. The "certificate" is really just an open letter to whom it may concern.

"Also with regards to the timescale. how long after you pay the money, how long would it take before we could drive off the forecourt with the car."

If the car is available then you can leave with it as soon as you give them the money. If you are ordering a new car it may take days or weeks or months, depending on the brand and model and spec.

[br0wnd0g23]

Great thank you for the detailed reply. I think I will have to get used to this tea Monday business. I will contact the uk embassy Chiang mai. And see what they suggest. Cheers.

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[Huggybearman]

I recently bought a new car using a bank cashier's cheque. Took it to the dealers and drove the car away immediately. Or you could pay cash and drive away.

Quick question. Could one also pay with a local (K Bank) debit card, or does it have to bankers draft or cashiers check. ( or cash).

[sotsira]

Great thank you for the detailed reply. I think I will have to get used to this tea Monday business. I will contact the uk embassy Chiang mai. And see what they suggest. Cheers.

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I recently bought a new car and got the residence certificate at the local immigration office.

They charged 300bt and did it while i waited.

As for waiting time for a new car, you'll find that out when you decide what car you want

and visit the dealership.

I only waited 3 days for a Honda after paying my booking deposit.

P.S no need to pay tea money when buying a car.

Edited February 24, 2014 by sotsira

[br0wnd0g23]

Ok that's good news Thanks. And I think they should pay me tea money if they want me to buy their car. Cheers.

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[br0wnd0g23]

i was quoted 3000 bht for a letter from the british embassy. MAD

[DILLIGAD]

i was quoted 3000 bht for a letter from the british embassy. MAD

And it's not a same day service (I think)

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[br0wnd0g23]

Ok thx. And I've been told that the local immigration office is cheaper. Like a tenth of the price

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[jonw8uk]

i was quoted 3000 bht for a letter from the british embassy. MAD

And it's not a same day service (I think)

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it is a same day service for your 2700 baht.

I've done it with an apartment contract on a 30 day no visa, which could so easily be fake, the embassy doesn't care, as long as u pay for a 50 pound letter....

go early ish (10am) and get it before lunch.

[br0wnd0g23]

Ok. Good advice. Thanks. What a bargain.

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[jonw8uk]

Ok. Good advice. Thanks. What a bargain.

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haha for sure you will see what a bargain it is, as actually they do nothing. You fill in the form, everything, then u get the embassy stamp...

wow, well worth 50 quid

Though I did notice it had changed in that the validity of the letter was 6 months. Before only 30 days.

However I needed it to renew my drivers licence, and they insisted on keeping the original

try keep hold of it if you can

sent from my acorn electron

Edited February 27, 2014 by jonw8uk

[br0wnd0g23]

Ok good news thanks. Well we are moving to start afresh. And spending a lot. So what's 50 quid. Cheers again.

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[Ace of Pop]

Your Immigration Office issue them free,well, thats my experience,having read through the posts, Sotsira is the only one who doesn't put up with crap , and gets the Job Done, well done.!!. 3000Bht for a Letter , jeeez, as pointless as Sin Sod. If you want , your Local Amphur also issues them.

[br0wnd0g23]

thanks. what is the local amphur?? cheers

[crazykopite]

Passport required plus letter of residency from your local immigration cost 500 baht

[Ace of Pop]

Its The Head Office of your residing district.The Office you Report to for Visa should not charge,but some scam newbies ive been told,i dont think anyone would be dim enough not to have a Valid Passport.

[richard_smith237]

Your Immigration Office issue them free,well, thats my experience,having read through the posts, Sotsira is the only one who doesn't put up with crap , and gets the Job Done, well done.!!. 3000Bht for a Letter , jeeez, as pointless as Sin Sod. If you want , your Local Amphur also issues them.

He wrote 300 baht - which is well within the norm for what many foreigners appear to pay.

I attempted to get this same letter from Immigration in Chaeng Wattana (Bangkok). I was told this letter is only possible if you have been in country longer than 90 days and submitted your 90 day report to Immigration.

As I had only been in country for a couple of weeks, I did not fit this requirement and had to get the letter from the Brit Embassy for about THB2000.

Thus OP:

Safest Option:

1) Get the Affirmation of Address from your Embassy

2) Place the Deposit on a Car

3) Hand over the balance with Cashiers check upon pick-up.

You can own a car on any visa or even the 'Visa Exemption Stamp on Arrival' if purchasing outright.

With regards to waiting times - that depends purely on the model and colour you order.

Paying cash (cashiers check) may bump you up the queue as others who have booked fail to meet finance criteria.

[Ace of Pop]

Richards post is more detailed and accurate, mine comes not from a Capital City , but from Friendly Hill Billy Land where quite often one has to tell them "The Forms in That Draw.". .

[shaurene]

I bought new car in Khon Kaen to have it in my name I needed to have a permanent Thai address, I had a yellow house book and that was it, car registered in my name and insurance and drove away. You cannot just go and buy a car. Hope this helps.

Today I went to get a Thai driving licence I was there 1 and half hours and came away with it. I showed my NZ licence and my international licence, my yellow house book, paid 40 Bhart in one office and 105Bhart in the licence office and I had it, my friends took 2 days and 1,500Bt.

I think it was the house book & international licence that made it fast and cheap.

[elliottm]

i was quoted 3000 bht for a letter from the british embassy. MAD

Brown Dog, I'm from UK & while I got new car in wife's family name (to get 100,000bt tax rebate), Toyota delivered in a few weeks (this was after the flooding, Honda was about 6 months) but as mentioned will be down to local supplies - same day if they had it available, no delays if paid/signed off for.

For my driving licence I got cert of residence for 100-200bt from Immigration (BKK) as I'd already been stung up to 3k for opening bank account.

Safe driving

[kbelyeu]

My first car purchase didn't require the residence certificate immediately and the residence certificate is only good for 30 days.. keep that in mind.

You may want to wait and find out when the dealership is actually going to register the vehicle.

Concerning the purchase all you need is your passport and the money.

my two cents.

[br0wnd0g23]

thanks guys. i think i will try the immigration office first. And im hoping a cash purchase will sweeten the deal.

appreciate the responses

[denby45]

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Ok. Good advice. Thanks. What a bargain.

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haha for sure you will see what a bargain it is, as actually they do nothing. You fill in the form, everything, then u get the embassy stamp...

wow, well worth 50 quid

Though I did notice it had changed in that the validity of the letter was 6 months. Before only 30 days.

However I needed it to renew my drivers licence, and they insisted on keeping the original

try keep hold of it if you can

sent from my acorn electron

acorn electron. Haha good one.

[gerry123]

i was quoted 3000 bht for a letter from the british embassy. MAD

Brown Dog, I'm from UK & while I got new car in wife's family name (to get 100,000bt tax rebate), Toyota delivered in a few weeks (this was after the flooding, Honda was about 6 months) but as mentioned will be down to local supplies - same day if they had it available, no delays if paid/signed off for.

For my driving licence I got cert of residence for 100-200bt from Immigration (BKK) as I'd already been stung up to 3k for opening bank account.

Safe driving

3 grand wow saw you coming which bank was this????

[thepool]

3K to open a bank account ?

Which bank was this ?