Answered3 years ago
Can I bring my vehicle to Thailand when I retire and live with my Thai wife?
I am married to a Thai lady
Want to retire in a few years time and live in my wife's village where we/she has a house... Now my question is.. Can one bring your vehicle with you to Thailand or are the duty's to high?
Want to retire in a few years time and live in my wife's village where we/she has a house... Now my question is.. Can one bring your vehicle with you to Thailand or are the duty's to high?
Answer summary
A user inquired about bringing their vehicle to Thailand as they plan to retire and live in their wife's village. The community response indicated that importing used vehicles has been banned in Thailand for several years, making it impossible to bring a personal vehicle without facing high import duties. Suggestions included selling the vehicle before relocating and considering alternative transportation options within Thailand. Additionally, participants discussed the challenges of living in a rural village and recommended maintaining a balance between village and urban living to avoid isolation.
123 repliesnewest first
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Arch *********
Don't do it ,wife's family included
Steve **********
1st no don't bring car, 2nd live part time in wife's village, you won't survive full time.
Unless your heavily insured, in which case you'll spend eternity there.
Unless your heavily insured, in which case you'll spend eternity there.
Bernard *****
No
Jet ********
And let me be honest with you. I shipped a convertible BMW sports car there. I barely drove it. It wasn’t worth all the money that I spent when I shipped it there. I sold it there instead. Much easier to get around on a scooter specially, if you’re in a province.
Jet ********
It’s not worth it you’re gonna pay at least three to $5000 to ship it plus you’re gonna pay import tax on it when you get there which is three times the value of the vehicle so it’s only worth it if you have a classic vehicle or something you’re thoroughly in love with. It’s much cheaper just to buy, a used vehicle there, but buy a new one is much more expensive in Thailand than the United States if you live in the United States
Steve *******
Don't do it, the import duties can be over 200% and set by customs on arrival.
Alfred ***********
It really depends on make of model how old etc. They won't let old bangers in but new cars come with huge import taxes. I'd just buy here for cash or by lease if you're married to a thai lady. X
Robert *********
Gets more expensive and more difficult to get ,older you get
Gregory *******
Why just dump it or sell it
Ste *******
Sell it and buy in Thailand.
Cris ******
I wouldn't bother. Vehicles here are much cheaper.
Michael ********
@Cris *****
and much worseCris ******
@Michael *******
no way. I have a hillux. Way better than the American version. And probably half the priceCris ******
@Michael *******
I'm agreeing with you... maybe you should read what i write before shooting off asshole comments about old trucks being better.Michael ********
@Cris *****
you're really naive bro. What engine do you have with your super modern Hilux 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, answer is simply, MODERN 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Cris ******
@Michael *******
no no I'm not comparing the original to modern. Haha.Michael ********
@Cris *****
xD 🤣 you never seen original Hilux right? How dare you compare this fake to original 🤣
Lee ******
Yes, you can bring a car. Strip it down to parts, ship it, reassemble.
Robert *********
@Lee *****
the how do you insure it?Lee ******
@Robert ********
that’s why everyone says you can’t ship a carLee ******
@Robert ********
you don’tRobert *********
@Lee *****
the to our can't drive on the roads ,you require basic insurance and tax to drive on roads
Dennis **********
If you come from Lao just drive over to Thailand.
Rob **********
No unfortunately you cannot bring your vehicle to Thailand, that was banned about 5 years ago.
Bob *********
If you live full time in Thailand you will get homesick fast. I suggest you do 6 months in Thailand and 6 months at home. You get the jeep you love half a year, she gets her farmer village half a year. Win win!
Jay ****
@Bob ********
VERY SMART advice. I do exactly that with a few long vacations in between. Still have your trucks, Harleys, guns, etc back home.
Danny *********
OP@Bob ********
... Coming from south Africa... And no.. I won't get bored....
Terary **********
We have cars here...
Michael ********
@Terary *********
lol, who asked?
Bart **************
Previously it was like 400% of the NEW value (which can be 4000% of the day value), so practically forbidden. Currently it is just outright forbidden. Which is more fair, I'd say.
Craig *********
Can I ask the longest time you have spent in Thailand? Have gf now?
Steve **********
@Craig ********
thats the obvious QMichael ********
@Craig ********
who?Craig *********
@Michael *******
sorry was meant for the posterMichael ********
@Craig ********
he has wife
Christopher *************
#Unless it is RHD why would you even bother and unless it is a real collectors piece don't bother.
Christopher *************
Where are you hoping to bring it from?
Andy **********
You can import a used ambulance or towtruck following a mountain of paperwork. Which could include paramedic vehicles like range rovers if the equipment is retained.
Michael ********
@Andy *********
haha this is the way 😁Andy **********
Fire engines as well. Not sure a fire marshall's car counts though. In any case, you're supposed to donate to a charity, like an elephant foundation......
Danny *********
OPSo even if you have them for a few years in your name.... You can't bring them with you..?
Danny *********
OPThanks Micael
Michael ********
@Danny ********
got an old triumph tiger cub which would love to bring here legally but cannotMichael ********
@Danny ********
nope all vehicles not allowed except diplomatic
Chris *******
Carsten ************
While the import of cars was allowed, the tax was about 300%. Forget about it!
Detlef ***********
@Carsten ***********
accurate info !!!Danny *********
OPI have a jeep wrangler Rubicon with a lot of extras on it.... Selling it here I would loose a lot of money.... Don't think I can buy this in Thailand.... Or probably pay double of what I will get here...
Steve **********
@Danny ********
like anyone else moving here.It's more than you need !
Why would you need a jeep Rubicon with all the extras on Thailand...really
Danny *********
OP@Steve *********
why notMichael ********
@Steve *********
yes, really. Or if you're poor you can buy substitute of truckMichael ********
@Steve *********
are you adopted? Oh. I'm sorry.Steve **********
Michael ********
@Steve *********
no, your mother when we talked about you.Steve **********
Steve **********
@Michael *******
Mikey, you spelled pathetic correctly this time, I guess the book helped, ehMichael ********
@Steve *********
lol, you're incredible pathetic. He wants Jeep and this is his business not yours.A car bought in Thailand will always be worse, even than an old car from Europe or the United States. This is fact. The cars here are a parody of the automotive industry.
I guess you've never been to Thailand if you write such nonsense. Who cares what car you have here? This is not America or Europe, where you have to brag to your neighbors.
Steve **********
@Michael *******
if you're poor, your still richer than the average Thai, and a farang flaunting a better car than the ave villager won't endear anyone.Bart **************
@Danny ********
that is only a fraction of the import duty still (before it got fully banned).
Eric **********
@Danny ********
Just buy a diesel pickup here. They are awesome.Michael ********
@Eric *********
🤣🤣 this pickups here are toys not cars. You never seen the engine right?Michael ********
@Eric *********
right. some people allow themselves to be made fools of, others don't.Eric **********
@Michael *******
Different strokes...Michael ********
@Eric *********
As I wrote. These pickup trucks here are junk. It only has a nice body, the rest is a dummy car. Wasting of money.Eric **********
@Michael *******
We have 2 Toyota pickup in my family here one 4wd one 2nd. They are amazing pieces of kit. Diesel and you can beat them but can’t kill them. Go drive one. Plus you have great dealer support. Good luck with a Jeep.Michael ********
@Danny ********
we have to settle for poor quality fake SUVs with 1.6 engines 🤣🤣
Marty *********
I assume your car is something special? Has sentimental value? If not then sell it and use the proceeds towards buying a car here. Cars tend to be a little more expensive here even if built in Thailand.
Keith *********
Thats what I did with my 65' Karmann Ghia
Michael ********
@Marty ********
you mean those suvs that are all over the streets? they are toys, not carsDanny *********
OPYes I know the house is hers... But it's OK... I trust her
Marcus ********
@Danny ********
I have bars and yes it's possible to own property you just have to be savvy and lawyer up. And to ship a car u take the engine out and say it's non running or junk parts. And I know these girls are not loyal, I make 10k a month not trying in USA and they see me spend money they don't care if they have husband or married. Please be careful bro.
Alex ********
@Danny ********
there are countless examples of men with Thai wives including me that trusted but when the right time comes for her suddenly you find a totally different woman. I trusted my land on her name and 8 years after she refused to let me use my land etc continued then divorced even though we had a child together. What ever you do , do leave the door open for the unexpected to cover your ass.Danny *********
OP@Alex *******
... You are probably rightKeith *********
@Danny ********
Nothing to lose
Danny *********
OPNo... I was going to put my jeep in a container and shipped it to Thailand... Not drive it to there
Danny *********
OPYou have a jeep?
Never ever have any problem with it.
Never ever have any problem with it.
Michael ********
@Danny ********
this guy is troll, i know him from another topic.
Frank **********
@Danny ********
Jeeps are literally trash vehicles. Not very reliable. I would not bring one to Thailand even if it were possible.Robert *********
Buy health insurance now
Keith *********
@Robert ********
For sure she will buy life insurance for you.Steve **********
@Keith ********
or her family will definitely ! #2 rule on Thailand.
'Never be worth more dead than alive'
Steve **********
@Kevin *******
then your learning !After 5 years, thought I'd learned and see it all.
Now been 22, and learn something new daily.
Most if it beneficial abd positive
Kevin ********
@Steve *********
I've learned a lot on my own. Usually after it happening 3 or 4 times.Steve **********
Kevin ********
Steve **********
Kevin ********
@Steve *********
And isn't that true basically anywhere?Danny *********
OP@Robert ********
why?Michael ********
@Danny ********
he probably wanted to joke, a bit clumsily
Stephenie **********
I would never recommend driving to Thailand fly then get a car when you're here. The house is your wife's as unfortunately as a foreigner you can never own the majority of a house
Diana ******
@Stephenie *********
we will be driving to Thailand! Part of pur global adventure!💜Stephenie **********
@Diana *****
my bff rode from London to Thailand, 10k kilometres and quite tge adventure by all accounts.
Shane ***********
@Stephenie *********
in correct
Jeffrey **********
I have great in-laws, and my wife came from a nice little village. However I don't recommend living in your wife's Village. They're wonderful expat communities I would recommend finding something about 4 hours away or it's easy for your wife to go back to the village and visit are you guys go back together on occasion but if you're there and there's not things for you to do in that Village restaurants shopping movies clothing people to talk to you're not going to be very satisfied and people will be stopping by frequently asking needing wanting. If you're 4 hours away that eliminates just about all that
Steve *******
@Jeffrey *********
totally agree with that. I made that mistake. I am only the 5th farang here and rarely see the others, f all to do, no restaurants only food carts, one ****
that's itSteve *******
@Stephenie *********
it's not a cost issue for me. My biggest complaint is interaction and never speaking EnglishStephenie **********
@Steve ******
rather stick pins in my eyes than live in the boonies. I'd need farang interaction. Seen many a man head up country bragging how cheap it is, month later they're back in pattsJeffrey **********
@Stephenie *********
incorrect
Stephen ******
I trusted mine but money is money that it why i have no restaurant or house so much for husband and wife
Stephen ******
@Jeffrey *********
correct you cannot buy land but your wife canStephenie **********
@Jeffrey *********
what is?Steve *******
@Darren *****
here you goSection 1533 Civil and Commercial Code: Upon divorce, the Sin Somros (common property, jointly owned marital assets and debts) shall be divided equally between man and woman.
Steve *******
@Darren *****
look up the family law act. It is very clear. Everything accrued from the date of marriage is *****
. Unfortunately not everyone can prove they paid, especially if they sent the funds to the lady and not to the seller
Darren ******
@Steve ******
everyone can prove they paid.Obv the girl can't.
Fort time in 17 years here I heard of
*****
Steve *******
@Darren *****
that's wrong. I bought a house and land package, registered it in her name, upon divorce and as stipulated in the Thai family law act it is *****
as long as you can prove you paidStephenie **********
@Jeffrey *********
I had a BOI work permit and I'd never heard of it.Jeffrey **********
@Stephenie *********
28 years in Thailand Board of Investment has several programs to own land and homes. Also if your thai spouse dies you get it
Darren ******
In Thailand a westerner can buy a condo and a car in his name.
When I comes to land and building houses on that land , it is a
1 problem that can occur is how to get to Ur house without trespass on their land 😂
When I comes to land and building houses on that land , it is a
*****
% split.. the house is normally considered the 49% and owned by the westerner , land being Thai owned.1 problem that can occur is how to get to Ur house without trespass on their land 😂
André **********
@Stephenie *********
you better stick to diving; obviously the ins and outs of real estate/ land ownership are beyond him and ontop of that makes unverified claims about other peoples relationships...Stephenie **********
@John *******
Jeffery probably been conned by his wife or he's never actually been to Thailand
John ********
@Stephenie *********
I think that he is trying to till you that you can own the house but not the land the house is on, of course that can have its own problems,Danny *********
OPO really... Thank you very much
Andy **********
@Danny ********
that is the rule for normies. But remember anything is possible in Thailand if you got enough moneyChris *******
Importing of used vehicles has been banned for a few years now.
Michael ********
@Chris ******
moto either?Chris *******
@Michael *******
nothing bikes or cars.We had 2 beautiful Harleys and I wish we could have brought them.
Michael ********
@Chris ******
same here. So sad.
Roberto *********
You can't bring in a vehicle
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