I recently moved from Phuket to Chiangmai. My car is still licensed and registered in Phuket. Land transport department told me that I cannot simply update my green book (as Thais can, apparently), but have to change the license plates from Phuket to CM plates.

 

Questions:

 

1) Is it actually necessary to change anything, as I continue to pay my insurance and tax regardless? I see many people driving cars with out-of-province plates for years and haven't heard of anyone having a problem with that.

 

2) Can anyone who's gone through this re-registration process, give me any pointers as to what I need to get it done right the first time? I dread these multiple pilgrimages to gov't offices because of a missing copy etc..

 

Thanks in advance for any pointers!

Moved here 6 yrs ago with Suratthani plates, just do the tax and insurance the same as normal  and never been a problem as far as i'm aware.

As Alfie said There shouldn't be a problem. Till you come to sell it, you might have to go to the LTD where it's registered if you do it privately.

When I sold my Vigo the paperwork had to be sorted by the local LTD they also took the old plates. Then sorted in the new province with new plate's. But there might even be ways round that.

No you don't need to change number plates if you don't want to.

 

If you want to change plates,  take you car to the local LTO. Blue book, Passport and Proof of Address and they will do it ... there is an inspection fee.

 

If you don't change number plates your 'annual fee' will go towards repairing the roads in Phuket rather than in CM.

 

Thanks all, for the helpful feedback. It seems that the only problem might arise in the event of a sale of the vehicle.

 

From what I see so far, Phuket needs the money for road improvements much more than CM, but deserves it much less. A conundrum indeed!