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What should I do if my motorcycle registration is delayed in Thailand?

Jan 21, 2026
3 months ago
Christian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the actually helpful feedback on the CoR reissue. To the rest of the armchair experts and bored goofballs: If I wanted a lecture on life in Thailand from people who obviously don't even live here, I would've asked.

This conversation is the perfect example of why most people stop talking to the expat community here. It’s all noise and no substance.

@Admins: Close, lock, or delete – this is solved.

New motorcycle registration:

Sorry, this has nothing to do with the visa – I bought a new motorcycle from Honda in Surat Thani on September 16, 2025. I gave the saleswoman my "certificate of residence", and she told me I would receive my white license plate in 4–6 weeks. – After 8 weeks, I sent a reminder, and she apologized, saying she had forgotten about my registration and that my registration certificate had unfortunately expired. She needed a new one. That's the only job she had! – Two weeks ago, I sent a new certificate to Honda in Surat Thani, and after asking for proof 2–3 times, she told me again that it would take another 4–6 weeks for the white license plate to be issued. – I am really pissed and have completely lost trust in this person. She can't provide any evidence for her statements. This all seems very suspicious to me… – What do you advise? – Should I call her boss or go to the tourist police immediately? - Thanks for feedback!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expresses frustration over delays in obtaining a motorcycle registration plate from a Honda dealership in Thailand, citing issues with a missing Certificate of Residence and poor communication from the salesperson. The comments provide various perspectives on dealing with similar issues, suggesting patience, contacting higher authorities, or filing complaints at the corporate level. Many expats share their own experiences with registration delays, emphasizing that such frustrations are not uncommon in Thailand.
Lye **********
Call Trump. He can help. 😆. Chill, it's Thailand. Sabai sabai
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David *******
Had my red plates ten months. Don't worry.
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Ajarn ****************
Go to the manager or owner of the shop and inform him/ her about your predicament. Tell him that if it is not sorted out within 3 days then you will contact Honda Head Office Thailand and lodge a formal complaint. Goodluck.
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Pui *****
Your experience is not abnormal even for luxury car dealerships from Bangkok. Many people don't get their white plates and registrations for months, thereby necessitating a new residence certificate if you are a foreigner. My last new car delivered Christmas Day one year ago didn't get the white plate and registration until July.
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Greg *********
Makes you wander if I should get a lawyer for buying a new car
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Todd *********
Blocking you
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Jeff *************
I bought new bike from Honda in Nakhon Sawan, less then a month they called to have me come change my red for the white and refunded me my deposit for the red plate. Paid cash for the bike
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Maik ******
You have to Accept because you can do nothing you are just a Guest in Thailand dont forget about this .....Rules in Thailand = never get angry and calm down.... If Not... your Life will be difficult all the Time.....😉 With complaining all time maybee your Life will be short in Thailand ( some day )
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Gene **********
Maik Maik they can always move to philipines easier immergratiom only have to leave every 3 years and get ssrv visa never have to leave. Or marry and get terminated status to stay. And in philipines they understand English veryy well. Much easier than Thailand. For example in Thailand your always a guest but in philipines you can call it home and dollar goes much futher than in thailand. Thailand great to visit but, to live even married can be difficult.
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Gene **********
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ResilientG***********
They are completely unprofessional.

Had to file an official complain (for another topic though) in Japan because even the Thailand head office was useless.

Once Japan intervened things went further.
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Chang ******
Welcome to 3rd county of Thailand.

Just relax and wait . This point nothing you can do but wait. You can drive the motorcycle anyway . I wait about a month so
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Per ********
I would not make a too big story of not being able to travel far w your bike , if u have all the documents with u on the trip .

(Yes I know Isan say can not drive ,,,, will not elaborate that )
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Dac *******
First, patience it’s Thailand.

Ok a mistake was made and she does need the a current certificate of residence to re-submit.

I bought a bike here. The white plate takes a long time. It will come. Get their WhatsApp page so you can communicate with them but mine took over 10weeks.

You’re fine on your red plate
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Daren ********
Dac Samui The Honda dealer I bought my wife's scooter at didn't even give a red plate. Over new years they had road blocks. The police never said anything or for that matter anything about the red plates on the rental car we had in Issan out of Bangkok.
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Dac *******
Daren Liebig in that case I would carry a copy of my sales receipt and insurance if they included or you bought.
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Dac *******
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Ian ********
the white licence plate is only issued to the dealership once they 'officially' register the bike with the DLT.

Since that is a cost in cashflow for the dealership please appreciate it that they are in no rush to part with money.

Stay on their case, and hot them up for their lack of customer service that cost you an extra residency certificate.
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Ed ******
Same story as me. Took 6 months and 2 letter of residency paper's. It's annoying but Don't expect Thailand to have the same Western customer service standards and it is less annoying
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Andy ********
Its happened to me twice now once buying a Triumph 1200 scrambler (12 week delay) and one buying Classic 350 Royal Enfield (6 month delay). both times I had to get another resident certificate several times....this is Thailand
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Gregory *********
Be patient. You need to wait another few weeks of the next round and if that fails in 4 to 6 weeks then do something different.
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Brook ********
Contact Honda Thailand corporate office headquarters in writing to complain and seek reimbursement.
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Dac *******
Brook Powers ridiculous
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Christian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dac Samui I agree – Greetings from Bo Phut!
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Christian *********
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Rob *************
Okay, so in the second week of November the lady told you she forgot you and now she needs a new CoR.

So then, at the start of the new year, almost eight weeks later again, you give her a new paper and two weeks later you complain that things are too slow?

Why would she not get your paperwork sorted? It really takes about six weeks to get the green book and the white plate. Nothing strange there.

That she forgot your paperwork in the first place is not very good form no, but your slow response surely ain’t helping either.

And be happy; you will now have a
*********
year registered bike!
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Christian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Rob Van Steijn there is nothing in my favor about this becaus on a red plate youre not able to insure against theft and if you got to atrip outside surat, you probably get fined.
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Rob *************
Christian Echtler every official Honda dealership offers theft insurance for either one, two or three years. From the day you bought the bike.

Then you have a point that you’re restricted to riding your own province only. But that is rarely enforced.

But why did you wait so long with handing in a new Certificate of Residency then? Eight weeks?
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Christian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Rob Van Steijn i was bussy with other visa stuff - transitioning to Non-B etc
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StunningEl**********
Christian Echtler it’s life. You are in Thailand and this is not abnormal
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StunningEl**********
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