What is the process for registering a custom-built trike in Thailand?

Mar 6, 2024
9 months ago
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys.. not really a visa info thing, and it’s a bit left of field for this group..but I was wondering if it was possible too get my custom built trike registered/licensed in Thailand, obviously it has all the lights ( ie headlights, taillights indicators etc although not depicted in this pic)..I want to bring it with me when I retire there and use it…and I’m unsure of who or where too approach finding that info out, and was wondering if any ex-pats have imported their own bikes, modified or not and the process they went through to getting them on the road there…cheers guys🍺, any legit info greatly appreciated..🤘🏻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the possibility of registering a custom-built trike in Thailand, interested by an expat contemplating retirement there. Several comments suggest that importing vehicles has become increasingly difficult or illegal due to stringent regulations, with hints that bringing in a vehicle in parts may be a workaround. However, there are risks associated with this method, including potential confiscation and legal implications. Many advise checking with legal experts or shipping agents before proceeding. The discussion touches on the complexities of Thai vehicle laws, especially for modified or custom vehicles, and suggests that purchasing or building a vehicle locally might be a more viable option.
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Gary *****
It’s very difficult to import anything into Thailand that is not from south east Asia the import taxes and red tape costs are eye watering be warned it’s not easy or straightforward.

Good luck
Matthew **********
Just Google and be sure you are sitting on a toilet
Paul ********
That looks like it would be noisy! I hope you are not coming to Hua Hin!😫
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
it really depends on how angry you ride it😆😆😆, but yes it is a little louder than a conventional 4 stroke engine as it only has a single muffler , unlike a 4 stroke which has 2, I actually quitened it down by fitting a longer muffler to help it comply with epa noise restrictions as part of registration in Philippines.
Andre *********
A better, easier and cheaper option might be this:

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Martin *****
You would be better selling it and buying a road registered bike here and converting it . import tax would make it not worthwhile and even if you did, getting a plate for it would be next to impossible
Robert **********
To register and ride a 3 wheeler on the road you must be handicapped and have the trike registered accordingly.
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
that’s why I ride a trike, I have servere permanent back injury, so I’m covered for that side of things,it’s really just the import and registration process I’m unsure of as every country is different,
Stevie ********
I couldn't find a company to ship mine as they said the import taxes were too prohibitive they wouldn't send it
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stevie *******
really??..that’s interesting, i got my Yamaha R1 in ,I just brought a 15 foot sea container, through a shipping agent pulled the bike into bits,packed it in with all my other stuff and listed it as parts on the manifest, But that’s When I was living in the Philippines..2019,
Stevie ********
@Derek *********
not having the foresight to pack a workshop tool kit in my already overweight suitcase, after leaving my home for good with all my essential possessions. And the space to keep the said parts in while I move from condo to condo while I decide where my twilight years should be actively spent. And the garage or workshop needed to assemble the bike when I finally settled. Did you really think this could've been a viable proposition Scotland to Thailand with my toolbox in the overhead locker?
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stevie *******
yeah we brought property there,the sea container became my workshop/garage which we dropped in with a crane and when we finished the renovation of the property we put it on the market and used it again to ship our valuable household goods and my trike back to Australia, I then sold that brought a 20footer and repeated the process in Vietnam
Dan ********
@Derek *********
this is Thailand. That was Philippines.
Dan ********
And what on earth did you bring with you to Philippines to require a 15ft container to ship it in from the west ?
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
household items and my workshop,tools and other crap
Ian *****
Not a hope as it is, never get it legalised. Bring it in bits and reassemble and have it on your own land is about as good as you get, and even then chances of getting it in , all of it, without being checked are poor.
Alan ******
Yorick ******
Impossible to get insurance this type bike. Not sure about registration and road tax.
Erwin ********
You need to apply for type approval, the same as for any new vehicle brought to market in Thailand. That involves all technical drawings, followed standards and norms, crash test results and undergoing local testing procedures. It’s good that money isn’t an issue, because you’d be looking at at least 3M usd plus you’d probably need to have two or three more sacrificial bikes available for the process. Good luck!
Vlad ***********
Ozimoto Trike Engineering

086 998 8973

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Roy *********
Absolutely illegal to import bikes now.
Jonathan **************************
Apparently not possible. Seems you driving this here is illegal and "a threat to safety".

However, old, poorly-maintained pick-up trucks billowing clouds of black smoke into everyone's faces (including the faces of young children); they're totally fine.
Darren **********
Yes
@Chiang ************
helped me with exactly this. It’s about time for me to do again this years.
Arisara *********
To my knowledge, last year the shipping agent told me that it is not allowed. If any used parts or used vehicles were shipped to Thailand- they will be crushed with no question asked. Sometimes ago, people imported parts and vehicles to Thailand illegally then got caught and fined. They then went to an auction to get their cars/ parts. Well, it caused too many issues to government/ car industry etc.

# PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SHIPPING AGENT AND/ OR THE LAWYER BEFORE TRANSPORT IT TO THAILAND.

THE NEW VEHICLE IS ALLOWED WITH PERMISSION AND WITH AT LEAST 100% TAX
Andy **********
Import everything but the frame. The complete import ban on used vehicles was because people were trying to circumvent import duties by breaking vehicles down into parts then reassembling. I suspect you will find it impossible to register an imported frame, so better off getting a Thai registered frame modified. But the whole effort would be so expensive, you might be better off getting a custom trike built for you in thailand.
Jae *******
You mean that you want to ride that on public roads??
Christian ***********
@Jae ******
why not... 😂 You see how the bikes with sidecars look...
Mark ********
I used to have an old Honda ATC250R trike. By fuck could it fly along. Which I kept it.
Mark ********
Bring it in stripped down in pieces.
Taz **********
There is a Facebook group, foreign motorcycle riders in Thailand, you will get more answers there
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Taz *********
sweet mate thanks for the info
Taz **********
They stopped allowing imports of vehicles, including bikes a long time ago
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’ve registered imported custom bikes all throughout Philippines, Vietnam, etc just not Thailand… so if you can’t actually prove your claim with documentation..
Taz **********
@Derek *********
if you can import it into a boarder country you could possibly find someone to pay to bring it into Thailand, as for registration I don’t think you can do it
Michael ********
Nope cannot import anything, i got a triumph tiger cub sitting in UK
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It’s got a vehicle identification number, from factory, I intend on importing it in “ parts” …. 😝.. I’ve been told it’s possible, cost isn’t a issue
Andy **********
@Taz *********
Or run the risk of it all being confiscated, fined and your status in thailand being affected. Your ability to use will depend on luck and whether you want to be involved in bribery.
Charlie *******
That thing looks sweet!
Alan ******
Don't know what's happening to my photo
Alan ******
Alan ******
My trike motorcycle in jomtien, used to be 2 wheel, had conversion, hard to come by, I wanted a quad, but they are totally illegal, no matter what anyone says, but my trike is legal for the roads in Thailand,
Charlie *******
Asian work truck this is gets the job done 💪
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charlie ******
she goes good, 325cc, now injected , goes and stops better than a normal current 250…
Charlie *******
@Derek *********
haha that’s cool I’d love one as a toy

I’ve seen some weirder contraptions out here I’d say you’d be able to buy one or have one built to be honest
Phil ******
@Derek *********
unfortunately not. Possibility of breaking it down as parts.
Chris *******
You cannot legally or register for roads.

Bring it in parts and reassemble and ride it, off road, your property...
Greg ************
No experience, but as it is a trike as opposed to a larger vehicle/car, one option might be to ship as parts then reassemble and register as a custom trike ‘built in Thailand’.

Obviously only applies if you want to drive on the roads. If you are only planning to use off-road or on your own land then registration becomes even less of an issue.
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg ***********
that’s what I’m gonna roll with
Greg ************
oh I hear ya 😂😂
Greg ************
Good luck 👍
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg ***********
like I said I can’t see a drama. This bike was registered in Philippines once before and again in Vietnam, pretty sure there’s some sort of process otherwise trips like Ewan McGregor’s long way round etc and others like it wouldn’t have been possible…
Greg ************
@Derek *********
sure although I think bikes passing through countries (I have done day trips from Malaysia crossing into Thailand) are more important from an insurance standpoint.

But if you have successfully registered in 2 SE Asian countries already it stands to reason there’s similar processes in place to do so in Thailand. If they register 3-wheeled tuk-tuks then I can’t see why they wouldn’t do the same for a trike.
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg ***********
yeah I’m of the same belief, I think the only hang up I may encounter would be bureaucratic …was similar in Vietnam and Phillipines, had to grease the right wheel if ya catch my drift…money talks and all that crap😆 the bike has vin numbers, engine numbers etc etc…
Paulo ****
Think they've stopped the import of any vehicle into Thailand. Correct me if I'm wrong

I tried with my HD earlier this year

Nice bike tho
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paulo ***
I’m prepared for the cost, just wondering if it’s possible,literally only be sed local to our area
Derek **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah my reasoning for bringing it is because I have an injury, and a trike is easier for me to get around with as opposed a conventional bike,
Paulo ****
@Derek *********
you'd have to find a dealer willing to bring it in for you I guess.. hey it's Thailand 😂🫠
Daniel *****
Unlikely but just ride it around anyway
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