Answered3 years ago
What visa do I need to buy a car in Thailand as an expat?
Good 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
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.
43 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
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 *********
OP@Radius *****************
servicing and reliability is an issue especially when you don’t know local trustworthy peopleLee *********
OPLocal knowledge is often learned the hard way!
Radius ******************
@Lee ********
have it checked by mechanic
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 *********
OP@Rob *********
thank you 🙏
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
David *******
@Lee ********
if you will be based in pattaya i can introduce you to the manager of mitsu pattaya.
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 *********
OP@Marty ********
thank youLee *********
OPThank 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.
Andrew *********
My idea of retirement is on my bike to the bar 🍻
John *********
@Andrew ********
use public transport which is cheap
Andrew *******
@John ********
or walk ... Even cheaper🤣🤣👌
Neil ********
@John ********
That's why so many accidentsJohn *********
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 Isuzu
Dave ***********
@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.Lee *********
OP@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 *********
OPCash 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.Andy ********
@Martyn **********
can a farang on retirement visa get finance??
Jeffrey ************
@Andy *******
nope...Andy ********
@Jeffrey ***********
I didn't think so too
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 *********
OP@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.Lee *********
OP@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 *********
OP@Rick ********
thank youJudy *******
That's how Nissan requested we pay for our cars
Activity
24 joined24
people
Related
25What do we need to know about applying for a retirement Non-O visa in Thailand as South Africans?
170126d
What are the options and requirements for obtaining a Non-O visa for retirement in Thailand for expatriates over 50?
4.5k41451mo
How do you renew a retirement visa in Thailand and what are the requirements for disabled individuals?
2.9k31133mo
What do I need to open a Thai bank account for my retirement visa?
2.8k904mo
What type of visa do I need for a 1-year stay in Thailand?
8.2k2704mo
What are the challenges in obtaining Thai health insurance for a retiree over 50 with a history of cancer?
988295mo
Can I retire in Thailand without the required 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account if I have a monthly income of $2,800?
18k1013387mo
Will my husband need an airline ticket to prove residency in order to apply for the DTV digital nomad visa from Hawaii?
669538mo
What should I do if my landlord can't provide the required documents for my Non O visa application in Thailand?
2.1k19122y
What are the requirements for obtaining the OA long stay visa in Thailand, particularly regarding medical and criminal record certificates?
4.1k35332y
Can I change my health insurance after obtaining it for a Thai bank account while applying for a Non-O visa?
3.6k30332y
What are the financial requirements for a retirement visa or Non-O visa in Thailand if I want to live in Korat?
5.6k49482y
Should I apply for a retirement visa from the US or in Thailand?
1.2k392y
What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand as a UK citizen?
5.3k34742y
What are the options and considerations for insurance when living or traveling in Thailand?
21.2k1852142y
Do I need to close my UK bank accounts when moving to Thailand?
17.2k1361912y
How early can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand with a 60-day visa exempt stamp?
1.6k6252y
Do I need to book a flight before applying for a Non-O visa in Thailand?
4.8k48132y
What is the correct visa to apply for as a foreign spouse of a Thai national?
4.6k43273y
What are the current financial requirements for applying for a Thai OA visa from Australia?
1.2k944y
What are the steps to apply for a retirement visa based on Non-O marriage in Thailand without using an agency?
3.2k29214y
What are the requirements for applying for a 3-month Non-O visa in the UK for retirement in Thailand?
1.2k3184y
What documents and forms do I need for a Non-O retirement visa extension and multiple entry visa in Thailand?
1.2k758y
Can I apply for a 90-day Non-O visa in Hanoi, Vietnam, as an American over 50?
2.7k25148y
How can I convert my tourist visa to a retirement visa while based in Chiang Rai?
2.1k18108y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served