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What are the options for owning or renting a car in Thailand when living there part-time?

Retirement VisaCar OwnershipCar RentalLiving in ThailandExpatsTransportationBangkokHua Hin
Mar 22, 2024
9 months ago
David ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I plan on getting a retirement visa next year and living 5 months out of the year in Thailand and seven months in the U.S. with my Thai girlfriend. What have other people done as far as owning a car in Thailand that will only be used for 5 months? Is renting a car for 5 months an affordable option? We do have someone that can drive the car occasionally so it won’t be sitting the entire 7 months without being used if I decide to buy. We will divide our time between Bangkok and Hua Hin.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around options for owning or renting a car in Thailand, particularly for expats planning to stay 5 months of the year. Key points include the affordability of long-term car rentals from both major companies and local providers, difficulties some might face when renting as older foreigners, and insights on whether having a car is necessary in busy cities like Bangkok compared to more relaxed areas like Hua Hin. Users shared experiences on renting, buying used vehicles, and the convenience of other transportation modes, suggesting that having a car may be beneficial despite challenges.
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David ***************
Why rent a car when Bolt taxis are so cheap and worry free.
9 months ago
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Ray **********
I have been living in Thailand 5 or 6 months a year for 20 years,with my Thai wife, we bought a car the first week we arrived in Thailand 20 years ago. We are now on our second car I would no way be without a car in Thailand. Just me but I would feel completely trapped
9 months ago
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David ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ray *********
 I agree with you, I must have a car too. I play a lot of golf and public transportation and taxis wouldn’t be my first choice. Did you have any problems from letting the car sit for six months when you weren’t using it? I like larger vehicles and I have been looking at late model Fortuners for 1.2 million or I can rent for around 35,000 Baht per month which would include insurance for the vehicle. Can you give me a rough estimate of the cost owning a vehicle in Thailand? I’m looking for license fees, taxes, insurance costs etc. I can estimate maintenance costs.

Thanks
9 months ago
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Ray **********
@David *****
 we have a Isuzu Mu X the insurance is about 20,000 baht per year and another 3,000 baht for license.As far as sitting for 5 or 6 months that ha s never caused a problem we also have a Mercedes in the states that sits for 5 or 6 months and again never a problem.
9 months ago
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Ray **********
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Bob ********
When I commute from BKK to Hua Hin I use several options, the train, they have just upgraded the line and cut and hour of the trip. Major hotels in Hua Hin/bkk have buses running between and it s relatively easy to catch a ride, and their are other commercial bus companies as well. Driving/traffic is such a pain it's worth looking at the alternatives
9 months ago
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Nick ************
There are some very sound old Toyota trucks for sale for little money. Cheap to insure and service but like the diesel. A bit rough and ready but I had one for two years and it had
*****
0km on it when I sold it for
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0 baht. I paid
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0 baht for it. 2700 baht a month! Failing that I also rented a Yaris for 18 months at
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baht per month. Make sure you have good insurance with low excess. I demolished the front if one car and it cost me 7500 baht. I had a new car within the hour. A Thai driving license helps but you must have an idp to go along with your home license. Legally you can only drive in Thailand for 90 days without Thai license. Dont drive it do anything if a motoring nature that you are not allowed to do in your home country or most likely your insurance will be invalid.
9 months ago
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Vada *************
@Nick ***********
 Please who xsale Toyota trucks? Any in Pattaya? 🙏Thanks
9 months ago
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Nick ************
@Varda *******
 look on Facebook market place. Lots of lovely looking Toyota Sportrider on there or you could join their Facebook page. Failing that tgerexare plenty if second hand car dealers everywhere.
9 months ago
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Vada *************
@Nick ***********
 thankyou
9 months ago
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Vada *************
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Sean ********
@Nick ***********
 I'll second the sound old toyota truck. Ours has
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0 and always propery maintenance. Its 22yrs old and runs good. Not the smoothest ride, but it gets us there every time.
9 months ago
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Sean ********
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Marty *********
I wouldn’t think you would want a car in Bangkok so it would just be your time in Hua Hin depending on how you spend your time between the two cities.
9 months ago
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Keith ******
@Marty ********
 right! I wouldn't dare driving in Bangkok!
9 months ago
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Michael ********
@Marty ********
 yes agree with that, i been here long time and rarely drive in Bangkok
9 months ago
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Michael ********
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Peter **********
Depends on your age

The big companies won’t take you on if you are over 60 and a foreigner
9 months ago
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Lloyd ****
@Peter *********
 are you saying if you’re over 60 it’s difficult to rent a car in Thailand?
9 months ago
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Peter **********
@Lloyd ***
 that’s what it says in my comment

Based on my experience they will either load the rental cost or make you take out extra insurance, which then makes long term rental uneconomical

Yours may be different
9 months ago
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Peter **********
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Lone **********
I know a small locally owned rental company that does good long-term rental deals and can deliver cars to anywhere in Thailand. They manage cars for owners who give them their cars to manage on long term rentals as well so if you want to ow a car they can rent it out for you for the months you are not here. They have one of my cars and I am very pleased with the service.
9 months ago
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David ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lone *********
 could you please provide me with their contact information?
9 months ago
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Lone **********
here you go,
@https://www.facebook********************
9 months ago
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Lone **********
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Tony **********
We're you able to secure a us visa for your gf? As I understand it, it is a very long and tedious process measured in years...
9 months ago
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David ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
 she a 10 year multi entry business visa.
9 months ago
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David ******
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Michael ********
The big companies hertz etc have good deals for long term rentals check online
9 months ago
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Michael ********
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