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Can a foreigner on a SETV buy a vehicle in Thailand, and what are the requirements?

SETV vehicle registration Thailand foreigners buying vehicles proof of residency Department of Land Transport motobike purchase immigration rules

Mar 18, 2018

7 years ago

Richard *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry if this is not strictly visa related. 3 years ago I bought a car and registered it in my name. I was on a SETV. All I did was get a letter of residency from immigration and took this to the transport office. The book was then in my name. Is this still the case? A friend wants to buy a motobike and is also on a SETV. Location KRABI. TIA

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Foreigners with a Special Tourist Visa (SETV) can buy vehicles in Thailand, provided they obtain a letter of residency from immigration. This letter serves as proof of residence, which is necessary for the transfer of vehicle ownership. It's also important that the foreign buyer has at least 15 days left on their visa stamp. The Department of Land Transport emphasizes the need for proof of residence regardless of the visa type. Previous experiences indicate that while it's not a headache, requirements can vary slightly by location.

Ray *********

Sorry to contradict Ron but in my experience it was not a headache at all...I'll send the google Earth pic in a minute Garrett...but in short...Tun left at the big PTT in Saithai (if coming from Ao Nam Mao) or carry on past the lights there if coming from Krabi and the office/vehicle inspection inspection place is a few hundred Metres further on the right hand side...can't miss it...take care turing right tho...

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Ron *******

As I said, all DLT offices operate differently. They are supposed to be 'One stop shop's'. In reality they rarely are. Take a foreigners yellow housebook. That is supposed to replace needing a residents certificate. For the last few months, they are not recognised anymore in Chonburi province for driver licences and vehicle registering. They will hand everything back to you and send you to immigration to get a residence certificate.

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Ray *********

Must be different here then...or maybe I was just lucky as I bought my Nissan in Phuket and had no problem at all registering it here in krabi at a small affiliated office. They charge a little extra (100 bt) but well worth it to avoid the queue in the main Krabi centre. Strange though as I presumed this arrangement would be nationwide?

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Ron *******

Ray, a straight forward transfer of a car already registered in your province is ok. It can become an issue when purchasing in one province, then registering it in another province. You may actually need 2 residency certificates depending on each DLT. It also depends exactly what your local DLT actually deals with. Pattaya DLT, which is huge, only deals with licencing and testing etc. Car registration and inspections have to be done at Chonburi DLT itself.

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Ray *********

Ahh I was wondering Ha I wrongly assumed this was the local Forum...ask around there though as I'm sure there must be many more of these 'extension' or 'satellite' places there...presumably affiliated to the main office?

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Ray *********

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Tod *********

I just called the Department of Land Transport and they said ALL foreigners need proof of residence no matter what side of the transaction they are on in a vehicle sale.

She said to transfer a vehicle title it doesn't matter what type of visa or visa exempt entry a foreigners was on as long as they had 15 days or more on their current "admitted until" stamp (no matter if they are the seller or the buyer) and the proof of residence document.

Or at least that's what the person told me.

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Ray *********

No Tod...I didn't as doing too many things at once...silly me :-)

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Tod *********

you did notice that Garrett, is in Bangkok right?

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Ray *********

Just a thought Garrett, why not have a word with the Lady in the Chong Phli office...very helpful there and she speaks good English...I easily transferred my old Nissan there a few months ago I bought from Phuket but I did have the sellers signed details etc. It does indeed sound like a bit of a pickle you're in but she seems to know her stuff so might be able to help? Good luck...Pls let us all know if you do this and the result.

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Ron *******

He will need to sign a power of enterny form if he can't do it himself. There are agents that can help once you have all the paperwork but I don't know of one personally.

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Ron *******

You can't anyway as you need the person who's name it is in to attend too.

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Ron *******

I'm really not sure how you get around it now. It's a double problem as it's registered in another province and needs an inspection at the DLT and a plate change.

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Ron *******

Garrett Greenwald basically you've paid for a vehicle that you don't own. You never, ever conclude a transaction here until the title has been changed.

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Tod *********

Hmm, I'd say Fat Boys should be helping you out on that Garrett. You bought if from them and they never titled it in their name.

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Tod *********

Garrett, That causes a WORLD of hurt :O ,

I know two people right now who bought vehicles from people and then those people left the country. Now they can't get them titled right now.

I am sure they will be able to but right now they were knocked back twice so far tryin' to do it.

Those cases were foreigner to foreigner sales though.

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Tod *********

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Ray *********

Why would you need a work permit?? I've bought many vehicles here and never had one...I am on a retirement extension though and report every 90 days etc. By 'Resident Certificate' do you mean the simple letter issued by Immigration confirming your address? All very easy. Btw, Although I know the rules (used to?) say a Tourist can not buy a vehicle here I have friends on Tourist Visa's who have successfully bought in the past.

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Ron *******

The real big headache comes when you buy a vehicle in one province and attempt to register it in another province. You then have double paperwork and inspections to deal with.

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Ray *********

Fair enough, and I agree...suffice to say they require evidence of your registered address...understandable...but I think the main point here is whether a Tourist can buy a vehicle and I know for a fact it has been done, even though the official line says it can't.

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Ron *******

It makes no difference what visa or extension your on. You can buy a vehicle

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Ron *******

It's a work permit OR resident certificate.

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Tod *********

Some DLT will ask for a work permit because it's proof of residence. BUT you're right you can use the letter from the immigration office or the letter from your consulate for a residence letter.

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Tod *********

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Tod *********

You're right it's NOT a visa related question :/

Get a letter of residency from the immigration office or from your consulate and you can title a vehicle in your name

Be advised that some DLT's want you to have at least 15 days left on your current stamp to do it.

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Ron *******

Thanks

@Richard ********

. It was selling to a Thai I wasn't sure about.

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Richard *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. You do need a permit if selling to a Thai as well. I have done this in the past. Just wanted to make sure the rules had not changed. Many people have told me impossible and you also need a work permit. I know this not to be the case. Just wanted to double check rules had not changed. Many thanks

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Ron *******

Read buying a second hand car.

Also don't forget there are taxes to be paid against the value of the car

*************************************************************

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Ron *******

Yes Tod. A foreigner needs a permit when they buy and when they sell. I'm not entirely sure if they need a permit if selling to a Thai though.

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Tod *********

, you mean if you're BUYING the vehicle from a foreigner they need a resident certificate too right?

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Ron *******

Also bare in mind that if your purchasing a vehicle already registered in a foreign name, the seller needs a residency certificate too to be able to sell the vehicle.

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Tod *********

@Richard ********

, nope it's fine, you started your post with the fact that it wasn't visa related and I just agreed with you ;)

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Richard *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

. You may delete if you like...

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Richard *********

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Steve ***********

Why no comment from admin on this one

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Johnsuma ******

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Henri ******

Its Sunday, he's in church.

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Henri ******

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