Can ownership of vehicle be transferred if foreign owner is overseas

[zurgos]

This is for case where owner has left Thailand and has no intention to return....

[stevenl]

Power of attorney is required plus also copy of passport including visa page.

[zurgos]

Out of the country no visa?

Power of attorney is required plus also copy of passport including visa page.

[johng]

As long as you have the blue book you can drive tax and insure it but not (easily legally ) own it

[BSJ]

You need to fly the owner back to get the paperwork in order.

[manarak]

Out of the country no visa?

Power of attorney is required plus also copy of passport including visa page.

The owner needs to go to the Thai embassy in his country for legalization of a (limited) power of attorney to sell the car and to certify a copy of his passport.

[kartman]

Out of the country no visa?

Power of attorney is required plus also copy of passport including visa page.

The owner needs to go to the Thai embassy in his country for legalization of a (limited) power of attorney to sell the car and to certify a copy of his passport.

The copy of the owners current valid Visa/Extension the DLT will require?

[ehs818]

The only reason you would need to change the title of the vehicle into your own name is if you plan to sell it, and that new buyer isn't comfortable with just having the vehicle and green book (for motorcycle). You can simply pay the registration fee, government insurance, and have your own insurance policy. That is legal and you will never have a problem with anyone about it. Confirm with your own insurance agent. That's the situation I'm in and it's no a problem.

[LivinLOS]

This is a case by case situation (if your office has agents for $$ they can often manage it).

Phuket flat out refused.. Despite answering a Phuket Gazette issues and answers they they would if they could verify proof the owner was really selling, when actually presented that proof in the flesh (signed letters, signed passport copies, full instructions and all forms) they just said no and wouldnt comment on previous advice. This trapped a few big bikes in a mates name until he flew through bangkok and used those passport copies with a valid 30 day stamp.

Other offices have allowed this with some kind of authorization (not simply the Thai power of attorney form).

Also dont forget some LTOs are being obstinate and demanding a proof of residence (immigration letter, embassy letter, work permit or yellow house book) from the seller too.. This happened to me in Chiang mai last year and caused a very complicated purchase.. Again hit and miss and even the same office different officers can want or not want this.

[manarak]

This is a case by case situation (if your office has agents for $$ they can often manage it).

Phuket flat out refused.. Despite answering a Phuket Gazette issues and answers they they would if they could verify proof the owner was really selling, when actually presented that proof in the flesh (signed letters, signed passport copies, full instructions and all forms) they just said no and wouldnt comment on previous advice. This trapped a few big bikes in a mates name until he flew through bangkok and used those passport copies with a valid 30 day stamp.

Other offices have allowed this with some kind of authorization (not simply the Thai power of attorney form).

Also dont forget some LTOs are being obstinate and demanding a proof of residence (immigration letter, embassy letter, work permit or yellow house book) from the seller too.. This happened to me in Chiang mai last year and caused a very complicated purchase.. Again hit and miss and even the same office different officers can want or not want this.

My experience is that officials often have no clue about what they are allowed to refuse or not, and when they are unsure of the procedure, they will just refuse, they do the same when they feel it is too much work.

When confronted with refusals, I sometimes had to use a lawyer to enforce my rights.

[manarak]

The only reason you would need to change the title of the vehicle into your own name is if you plan to sell it, and that new buyer isn't comfortable with just having the vehicle and green book (for motorcycle). You can simply pay the registration fee, government insurance, and have your own insurance policy. That is legal and you will never have a problem with anyone about it. Confirm with your own insurance agent. That's the situation I'm in and it's no a problem.

and what about a repossession by the "previous" owner?

what about involvement of the vehicle in a crime?

what about the vehicle being seized by a bank in payment of the "previous" owner's debt?

etc.

[stevenl]

The only reason you would need to change the title of the vehicle into your own name is if you plan to sell it, and that new buyer isn't comfortable with just having the vehicle and green book (for motorcycle). You can simply pay the registration fee, government insurance, and have your own insurance policy. That is legal and you will never have a problem with anyone about it. Confirm with your own insurance agent. That's the situation I'm in and it's no a problem.

and what about a repossession by the "previous" owner?

what about involvement of the vehicle in a crime?

what about the vehicle being seized by a bank in payment of the "previous" owner's debt?

etc.

Previous owner does not have the book so can not reposses, option 2 is far fetched and bank will require book for finance, so also not an issue.

Selling without official transfer is IMO a good and viable option.