Hello,

Could anybody give me an idiot's guide for a foreigner to buy a car in Chiang Mai please? (what to do, where to go, what docs are needed)

I have failed miserably today trying to get a document from immigration near Airport - to be told to go to Promenada and it is doesn't open till July 20th! Then told it was opposite and couldn't find it so got nothing done. Also wasn't sure what I needed either so had a bad day

Thanks

It all depends if you are buying new or second hand. I've done both. Dealerships are different to private sales as well. What are you trying to do?

Private second hand sale

Private second hand sale

People tend to hang on to 'good' secondhand cars.

Don't be fooled by shiny body and interior,

Thai's keep the parts that can be seen immaculate

If you have chosen your car and agreed upon a price you will then need to go through the process of transferring the vehicle into your name (i.e. transferring the registration into your name).

You will need an affirmation of residence and your Passport with a Valid Visa.

You can get the Affirmation of Residence from Immigration if you have submitted a 90 day report recently, otherwise you will have to get this document from your Consulate.

Alternatively, if you have a Work Permit, or you are Registered in a 'house book' you can use this as Affirmation of Residence.

The Department of Land Transport will require the Affirmation of Address to Register the car in your name, ownership will be signed over to you at the DLT after paying the transfer tax.

The DLT will also check the Chassis number of the Car against the Blue Book (car registration document) and check Valid Compulsory insurance documentation.

Thankyou and am I right in saying that the UK Consulate is no longer in CM but in Bangkok?

Thankyou and am I right in saying that the UK Consulate is no longer in CM but in Bangkok?

Correct, although many services can be performed via mail/EMS.

"Private second hand sale"

When I decided to buy a car I checked out most of the second hand car dealers around town.

I had to ask myself the eternal question, Would you buy a second hand car from this man ?

No, most made Arthur Daley seem a good guy.

My Thai mates all said buy new, Thais will rob you.

john

I found a great little car on these very CM TV Classified pages. Former owner helped me transfer but i had to go to the Immig Office near PromMall for Residence paper.

I buy from falang I am aquatinted with or new and even then wouldn't give a deposit, cash on delivery only. I remember going to a used lot here and look at cars spanning from 2 - 12 yrs old and they all had the same mileage, guess they thought that was a lucky number

(Oh when I put one for sale the other falang coming running!)