In CM they wanted a hand drawn sketch showing the position of the house in the Soi.. but also expected the adjoining roads that lead out of the estate to the main road (ie. the public road) to be marked.. i think the idea was for me to prove i understand how to navigate to my house.. though it's rather futile in this day and age with the advent of gps.. and imo it proves very little really.. apart from the fact that i can't draw for toffee.. lol 😂

@Ken ******

My understanding was that you cannot use the 65k income option when applying for your first non-o when you applying in-country.. meaning in person in Thailand.. but can switch to it after a year when you are applying for your first extension.. in effect your second year non-o.. so must have the required capital balance in a thai bank account.. and if I'm correct and the individual is leaving Thailand to re-enter and begin a new process then they cannot use the income option.. will await clarification from better informed people here 😉

It's simple.. unless you have a green book with your name on it then you do not legally own it.. you have paid to borrow it until the rightful owner (who has the green book) comes along to claim it!

@Michael *******

A green book has nothing to do with a contract.. and if you read my threads again.. I've repeatedly said you need a green book to legally transfer title of a motorcycle at the LTO.. nobody here has said you don't need the green book.. i think you are confused my friend 😐

@Michael *******

Well i have been stopped many times at routine check points when travelling between provinces.. and each time was in a vehicle i bought without a sale contract.. so long as i had a valid driving license and the green/blue book showing ownership of the vehicle there was never any problem.. so i don't understand this comment.. the real purpose of a pre-sale contract is to detail the intention of the buyer/seller.. eg. exactly what is being bought/sold, the agreed price for it, any extras included, any warranty or guarantees, etc.. which is all very important when you are purchasing a new vehicle from a dealer.. which invariably will be pre-ordered and delivered at a later date to the agreed specification.. but by contrast a second hand vehicle bought privately is sold as seen.. so you must satisfy yourself with its quality when striking the deal.. and will have another chance to check this when you meet at the LTO.. who will also check the bike's providence before transferring title.. so you get what you see and will have indisputable title to it.. with money only changing hands once title is guaranteed.. hence you cannot end up with a stolen vehicle or a vehicle that is not as described.. and therefore a contract is meaningless and unnecessary.. there is also an audit trail of all previous owners in the green/blue book.. which is on permanent record with the LTO.. so nobody can hide from responsibility should their later be an enquiry from the police (or other authorities) regarding said vehicle.. ie. who owned it and when and where they live.. which is also connected to their Thai ID or foreigner ID to facilitate tracking by police (using immigration system if needed) should they need to he found later.. so the whole system is geared to making scamming extremely difficult.. the one area where you will have no recourse at all is if you buy a vehicle without testing the mechanics are up to the expected (or described) standard.. so if the gearbox is faulty or there is a serious oil leak on the engine say.. or the suspension needs replacing and you don't identify it yourself.. then any repairs will fall on you.. unless a written guarantee has been provided by the seller covering such faults for a limited period.. but the average Thai person selling a 5-10 year old motorcycle is not going to do that.. so if you are concerned get the bike examined by a qualified mechanic before you part with your money.. otherwise you accept the risks involved and must factor these into the price you agree to pay!

@Michael *******

Please explain the purpose of a pre-sale contract and the benefit of it to a buyer 🤔

@Michael *******

In Western culture it may be normal to look to execute a written agreement.. but in Thailand it's not normal if you are trading privately.. yes if you are buying from a dealer with retail premises.. ie. one with a corporate image.. but many small 'dealers' that trade from home will not want to sign a pre-sale agreement.. they are just as suspicious of your intent as you are about theirs.. but the LTO system removes all doubt and worry from the transaction imo.. unless buying retail you don't need a contract really.. but if a seller won't bring the vehicle to the LTO to be checked and verified i'd walk away personally 👍

@Michael ******

You have options to shorten the process.. but would have to trust the seller (a stranger) with copies of personal documents.. and trust them to lodge the documents with the LTO after you have given them your money.. they surely won't do so before you make payment.. so how do you prevent a potential scam.. i accept that 99% of sellers are probably honest.. but why would you take the risk when there is a system in place to protect you.. and it only costs you a couple of hours of your time.. we've bought and sold both cars and motorcycles many times.. and always followed the LTO prescribed system.. it's really a no-brainer when the buyer/seller don't know each other.. since it protects both parties at zero cost.. and you obtain good title to the vehicle.

@Michael *******

The system actually provides buyers with a good level of protection against getting scammed.. the seller must prove they own the bike before the LTO will sanction a transfer of title.. and you don't part with any money until you know everything is kosher.. apart from a small deposit at the time of making the deal perhaps.. to show your commitment to attending the LTO to complete the deal.. they are effectively giving you a free identity and ownership check.. and can flag up any issues before you make payment.. removes a lot of worry for people!

You strike a deal to buy the bike.. then agree a time to meet at the LTO to sign the bike over.. both parties will have to confirm their identity and residence to the LTO's satisfaction.. you can check their exact requirements online before you go.. and unless it's a new/relatively new bike it will have to pass a basic inspection.. once the transfer paper work has been completed and checked by LTO and signed off by both parties you make the bank transfer and officially file the forms with them.. it can all be done within a couple of hours if you go early in the morning.. and if you are prepared to wait you can even leave with the green book in your name.. though if it's late in the day and it's really busy they will sometimes suggest you return the next day to collect it.. this assumes it is a private sale of course.. if you're buying from a dealer (ie. a motorcycle shop) then they will normally attend to everything on your behalf.. you just provide them with copies of the necessary ID docs etc.. and don't have to visit the LTO in person.. it's a fairly simple process.. but if there's no green book or a private seller refuses to go to the LTO to undertake the transfer then some warning bells should be ringing!