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What visa do I need to buy a car in Thailand as an expat?
Visa RequirementsCar Purchase in ThailandExpats in ThailandRetirement VisaProof of ResidenceThai Residency CertificateCar FinancingUsed Cars vs New Cars
Mar 26, 2024
2 years ago
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERGood day; I have visited Thailand yearly for the last 15 years and approaching retirement in the next couple of years. I am looking to buy a new car next year cash and would appreciate any advice please- would I need to hold a particular visa for this and if so should this be in place at the same time a deposit is required? Thank you in advance
Best regards
Best regards
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post inquires about the necessary visa to purchase a car in Thailand as an expat approaching retirement. The discussion reveals that while a specific visa isn't mandatory for making a deposit, having a residency certificate and passport is important when registering the vehicle. Experiences shared suggest paying cash is feasible and that car financing for expats often requires a work permit. Suggestions include negotiating car prices through trusted Thai contacts, buying used cars for better value, and potential complications with vehicle registration depending on visa status.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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John *********
I bought used and I’m happy. I am from NE USA and a 10 year old vehicle is typically too old for me to buy there, but 10 years old in Thailand looks nearly brand new
Radius ******************
Don't buy new
Save and buy a newer used one
Easier and cheaper
Save and buy a newer used one
Easier and cheaper
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Radius *****************
servicing and reliability is an issue especially when you don’t know local trustworthy peopleLee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERLocal knowledge is often learned the hard way!
Radius ******************
@Lee ********
have it checked by mechanicReply to
Radius ******************
Reply
Robert *****
2 prices in Thailand. Farang price and the Thai price. At least have a Thai friend negotiate the Thai price and you step in.
John *****
If you have a Thai you trust have them call around all the dealerships(if buying new) and negotiate all the discounts and add-ons (Google your car brand for an idea) they'd rather loose a sale than give a foreigner a fair deal
Rob **********
I would recommend Mitsubishi! I bought a 2015 triton I got finance on it paid it off early ! Still got it ! Very reliable and excellent dealer service at very good prices !
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rob *********
thank you 🙏Reply to
Lee *********
Reply
Craig **********
Make sure its in your name only
David *******
Bought a new mitsubishi (1.56m bht) 3 mths ago using bank transfers for 20k dep & balance, no probs...providing you have a thai bank acct.
Still need passport with valid visa & residency cert.
If insuring in your name through the dealership( normally free for 1st 12mths) a valid drivers licence is also reqd
Still need passport with valid visa & residency cert.
If insuring in your name through the dealership( normally free for 1st 12mths) a valid drivers licence is also reqd
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
thank you very relevant as I’m looking at a MitsubishiDavid *******
@Lee ********
if you will be based in pattaya i can introduce you to the manager of mitsu pattaya.Reply to
David *******
Reply
Marty *********
I bought a new car in Bangkok in 2022. The only deposit was 10,000 baht to secure my name on the list of customers waiting for a car to become available. At that time I waited 4 months. Once the car arrived I just transferred the full price using my banking app. I was on an OA visa and I needed a residency certificate and my passport. I think that was all there was to it. A year later I moved to Sisaket province.
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
thank youLee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you
Stuart ***********
@Lee ********
I did exactly the same as Marty, so it's good advice. The only thing to add is that you might have to increase your daily limit to transfer such a large sum, but I did that on my Bangkok bank app. Good luck.Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Andrew *********
My idea of retirement is on my bike to the bar 🍻
John *********
@Andrew ********
use public transport which is cheapAndrew *******
@John ********
or walk ... Even cheaper🤣🤣👌Neil ********
@John ********
That's why so many accidentsReply to
Neil ********
Reply
John *********
In my experience, my Thai wife (and I) bought a 2013
Isuzu pickup truck (titled as a 2014, only in Thailand) in October 2022. We bought at 155km on the odometer. A used car dealer. All went well. B500k. We paid cash. We held the line at B500k because we are in the US for baseball season.
I did notice that the Isuzu truck brand is the most durable. Also, I am baffled as to why, but Toyota vehicles in the US have the look and feel of a higher quality unit as compared to the Toyotas in Thailand. I hope this helps.
Isuzu pickup truck (titled as a 2014, only in Thailand) in October 2022. We bought at 155km on the odometer. A used car dealer. All went well. B500k. We paid cash. We held the line at B500k because we are in the US for baseball season.
I did notice that the Isuzu truck brand is the most durable. Also, I am baffled as to why, but Toyota vehicles in the US have the look and feel of a higher quality unit as compared to the Toyotas in Thailand. I hope this helps.
Nick **********
Please! Do not buy a giant SUV, or full size truck wide Xtra wide tires. They clog up the roads, impossible to pass on the Soi's, and little space to park. However, "up to you"!
Martyn ***********
a deposit? your not getting finance...
Ray **********
@John ********
with 59% down a farang can get financing,I know I got financing through IsuzuDave ***********
@John ********
there is if you’re working here.Andy ********
@Dave **********
But you can't work on a retirement visa.Dave ***********
@Andy *******
I didn’t say anything about a retirement visa. I was just pointing out that farangs can get finance if working here.Reply to
Dave ***********
Reply
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martyn **********
my understanding is that as I’m not employed here my overseas income is not taken into consideration to enable me to get financeLee *********
ORIGINAL POSTERCash it is then …
Martyn ***********
@Lee ********
that's right... you need a work permit I believe and the deals here on finance are generally poor.. and recently much harder to get.Reply to
Martyn ***********
Reply
Andy ********
@Martyn **********
can a farang on retirement visa get finance??Jeffrey ************
@Andy *******
nope...Andy ********
@Jeffrey ***********
I didn't think so tooReply to
Andy ********
Reply
Warren *********
If you got the money go straight to an agent. No stress,bank account, license everything sorted. It will cost you but you will have peace of mind.
Jeffrey **********
I've always paid cash without an issue. At some point to register it in your name they will need a copy of your passport as well as a residency certificate but it's not needed at the time of deposit
Judy *******
You will need your passport and proof of residence from Immigration. I think car dealers prefer a bankers draft rather than cash as you are talking a lot of money!
Rick *********
@Judy ******
good info exactly how my purchase went. The dealer was great, he even took me to the adjacent office where they do drivers licenses. Where I got all the info and was smooth to obtain.Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rick ********
driving licence; did you sit a test?Rick *********
@Lee ********
No they said since I had a US DL and Motorcycle license I just did a reaction test, call out the lit three colors on a traffic light and a depth perception. Really easy. I also had to get another resident letter from the immigration office and doctor filed out a paper (physical 5 minutes) plus copies of everything. They had a copy place on site. So fee I believe under 400 baht, physical 80 baht. But I hear some places are different.Reply to
Rick *********
Reply
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Judy ******
thank you Judy; I planned to transfer the money into my Thai bank account so I guess they could be able to create a suitable draftLee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rick ********
thank youJudy *******
That's how Nissan requested we pay for our cars
Reply to
Judy *******
Reply
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