Vehicle Ownership

[EssexAl]

Hi, I'm still waiting to complete my quarantine (in it's many guises) here in the village so haven't been able to delve into the process of obtaining a Thai licence just yet but another (sort of related) query has just popped up!

I've already decided that I will need my own "wheels" and I've pretty much opted for a 4x4 pick up of some description. Query: I'm in Thailand on a 90 day Non Imm O. The vehicle I will eventually buy will almost certainly need to be on finance. Is it possible for a farang in my position to actually own said vehicle outright - in my name only - or will it need to be in either the wife's sole name or in joint names???

Thanks in advance as I'm assuming that people here have "been there, done that" sort of thing.

Much appreciated - Allan

[Hector]

I'm sure you can probably own the car yourself and others will no doubt tell you.  But for me every new (and used)  car I have bought in Thailand over 20 years, the wife has bought with my money.  It has saved a deal of hassle.  Insured for both of us.

[Alfie]

I have two vehicles in my name only. I've never heard of having two names in the ownership book. I paid cash for my vehicles so I can't help you on the finance part although I did once hear that the finance company keeps the ownership book (blue book for a car, green book for a motor bike) until the loan is fully paid. I don't know if that is always the case, though.

[Hector]

I've never heard of having two names in the ownership book either.  In our case my wife is the owner of the car/s.  I am simply one of the insured.

[EssexAl]

Thanks guys. Good to know!

[Robert]

I've never heard of having two names in the ownership book either.  In our case my wife is the owner of the car/s.  I am simply one of the insured.

Ok I will react. When I bought my first car in 2007 I had my name and name wife put in blue owners book. Insurance looked puzzled but did what I wanted. Second car simply in name of wife. When I changed licence plate first car I also changed name blue ownership to my wife's name. Simply to avoid problems with inheritance for the far future (at least I hope so, haha).

[rdrokit]

First, if you want to buy a car and put it in your name you will need a Letter of Residence from Thai Immigration. Not sure you can get a letter on a 90 day visa. As others said there can only be one name in the vehicle book (title) If you finance a car the title will stay with the finance company till you pay off the loan. Expats can get a car loan in their name but usually requires 50% down.

If you put the car in your wide's name, which I suggest, most likely your name will be on the loan document as a guarantee.

[Roger]

Call me picky on this one, but we Farang can't put our name on a property, (unless it's a Condo), so it's not a bad idea to register a bit of assertion and at least put the car in your own name. After all, you are likely to be paying for the car, insurance, maintenance, fuel etc. AND be the main driver, so why not do what's necessary and have it in your name ?   

Al - you say you look for a 4 x 4 ? Are you going to be offroading ? If not, a normal 2 wd pick up will do and a 4 door cabin is a great idea ! The pick up helps you do so many things it's better than a saloon as an only car, maybe ?

There are some good second hand vehicles around and if you buy from a farang, it's easier to find out about it. If you are married, I would have thought a copy of the marriage cert. and your wife's ID would help the Vehicle office put it in your name. Maybe the dealer can get that done for you    if you insist on it being in your name, (as I would).

Good luck.

[Robert]

First, if you want to buy a car and put it in your name you will need a Letter of Residence from Thai Immigration. Not sure you can get a letter on a 90 day visa. As others said there can only be one name in the vehicle book (title) If you finance a car the title will stay with the finance company till you pay off the loan. Expats can get a car loan in their name but usually requires 50% down.

If you put the car in your wide's name, which I suggest, most likely your name will be on the loan document as a guarantee.

Hi rdrokit,

you state "" as others say" there can only be one name in the vehicle book means you and others are saying I am not telling the truth. So enclosed photo of blue vehicle book of Honda City ZX with my wife's name in Thai and my name in English. Maybe changed since September 2007 but I did get 2 names in the book.

Official name of paper to buy a car or renew your driving License is "Application form for Residence Certificate in Thailand.

[EssexAl]

And another update. Yep - pulled the trigger on a new Toyota Hilux (because there aren't enough of those on the Thai roads already) LOL! It's a Revo 4 door cab but only a 2 WD and 2.4 deisel (bio)? Thought about the 4WD but couldn't really justify the additional cost for the amount of time I would actually be using the 4 WD aspesct. Picked it up on December 10 and only just took it for it's first 1,000KM service today! I opted to buy it outright as I really wanted to put it in just my name alone. The finance company would have required my other half's name as some sort of guarantor. Quite amusing really. Anyway, hoping to get the registration docs and insurance sometime soon so will update when that happens to confirm that everything is as expected. Absolutely LOVE the motor, BTW!!!

[Roger]

Congrats Al   

That's a brilliant vehicle and it's yours 

If that's the 2.4 turbo diesel it goes like a rocket.

You mention 'diesel' - I'd guess it must be. As for bio, I find that one a bit confusing.

At the PTT you see 'Diesel' on the pump, but that's usually 7% bio ?

Also seen is B10, 10% bio ?  I gather the B10 is advised sometimes, particularly on a long journey, as the extra 'B' helps keep the injectors clean ?

I don't know if full bio-diesel is available or advisory - (the ? marks are because I'm not sure).

Just one tip - ask the Main Dealer for an English handbook - they will get you one.

Anyway - congrats again 

[Coolkorat]

Have you got a load bed cover for it? Seems a useful accessory:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9ZEct0w5k" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9ZEct0w5k</a>

[Roger]

Hi CK - yes those covers are useful when it rains but they can restrict the size of the load you can carry. With my house moves and so on, I've moved mountains of junk of all sorts. And it's easier to drop the bike in. So there. ATB 

[EssexAl]

Have you got a load bed cover for it? Seems a useful accessory:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9ZEct0w5k" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9ZEct0w5k</a>

Hey CK - still deciding which type to get. Definitely want something just to hide / lock away things such as shopping / golf clubs etc so am looking for something detachable in some way. Was quite surprised that the actual flat bed part of the truck - as standard - is naked! Even the lining for that would normally be "extra". Also strange is the way of the main dealer doing business. It wasn't until I'd said; "OK this is the one I want" that we went inside to sit down and discuss any deals / options. That is when she said; OK we can do this vehicle today with these extras (I'm paraphrasing her Thai as she was speaking mainly to the missus who was translating into English for me (as good as she could, Bless her)! Anyway, 15K off the price, lining for the said load bed, tinted film for screen and windows, those wind deflectors for the windows, leather trim upgrade - the first year top insurance etc - other things I can't quite remember but I do remember thinking; blooming heck (paraphrasing again!!) that's a bloomimg good deal!!! Why on earth she didn't lead with that to tempt me into making the deal in the first place is beyond me!!! Still, suffice to say I am over the moon with it!! Can't wait for the inter provincial travel restrictions to be lifted when I can really take it for a long drive!!

[Coolkorat]

I can definitely recommend getting a wired-in dash cam; it's a topic that's been discussed on here a few times in past. When I got a Fiesta for my son to learn in the previous owner had put in power connections for cameras both front and back and I am very glad they did. It now has cameras and I feel much happier knowing they are there. He's young and will make mistakes. But what I don't want is someone blaming him for their mistake.

[EssexAl]

Oh yes, CK - most definitely! Had front and rear dash cam installed prior to picking it up - can't remember whether that was one of the extras or I paid for it - either way - it didn't break the bank.

[Roger]

Hi Al - sounds like you got a great deal.

I bought a flexible cover for the load bay - you know, rubberised and attaching to a velcro strip around the load bay rim - quite reliable unless you are driving very fast indeed and handy because they roll back when not being used. Not a 100% solution but at about B2000 fitted, worth thinking about.

But don't get one with a zip entry area on top as mine had that and it leaked.

Remember, the back seat folds up and gives a nice load area for golf clubs, shopping etc.

Anyone - any advice on this ? At the PTT you see 'Diesel' on the pump, but that's usually 7% bio ? Also seen is B10, 10% bio ?  I gather the B10 is advised sometimes, particularly on a long journey, as the extra 'B' helps keep the injectors clean ? I don't know if full bio-diesel is available or advisory - (the ? marks are because I'm not sure).

ATB