8 Things to Know Before Buying a Car in Thailand

Introduction

Thailand is a wonderful country to drive in. It has beautiful weather, great roads and highways and a lot of things to see and experience on the way. However, driving in Thailand can be quite tricky for some people. Here are some tips that might make your first experience with Thailand’s roadways better:

• A New Car or a Second-Hand Car

One of the first things you should decide is whether you want a new car or a second-hand car. A new car will be more expensive, but it has fewer problems and comes with a warranty for up to 3 years (depending on the manufacturer). Buying a second-hand car may be cheaper, but there are some risks involved:

• The car could have been in an accident
• It might not have been covered by a warranty before selling it

To lower your risk of encountering these issues, take time to do research on the model of used cars that interests you. You can look up reviews online or ask friends who might know someone who bought one recently. Make sure that any potential seller has proof that they bought the vehicle from its previous owner, this will help ensure they didn’t steal it.

You’ll also need to decide whether you’re looking for a sedan, SUV, or truck. If you’re looking for a sedan, several things will impact your decision. The most important factors are the size of the car (how big it is) and its gas mileage (how much gas it uses per mile). Since most cars are not made in Thailand, they have to be imported from other countries. The larger the size of the car, the more expensive it will be because of shipping costs alone.

• Car Insurance

Before buying a car in Thailand, you must know that car insurance is mandatory. You can buy car insurance from a foreign or local company, or you can get it from your home country. If you buy the insurance locally, there is usually a discount on the price of the policy.

The types of car insurance are:

Third-party insurance is optional and costs around 2% of the value of your car (or $3,000). It covers damages caused by other drivers, pedestrians, animals, or even natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. You can purchase this coverage through most automobile associations (AAs).

First-class car insurance in Thailand covers damage to your vehicle and any injuries caused by collisions. This type of coverage is mandatory for those who wish to drive in the country and is offered by both private companies and state-owned insurers.

• Car Prices

When you first start to look at cars in Thailand, it can seem like an intimidating process. There are so many things to consider, and the prices of cars can vary so much from one dealership to another. So, here are some tips:

1) You should expect to pay more for luxury cars than for normal ones. This is because they’re harder to find, and even when you do find them, they’ll cost more than the average model.

2) You should also expect that prices will vary by location. If you live in Bangkok or other major cities, you’ll likely be able to get a cheaper car than someone who lives in a small town outside of Bangkok.

3) If possible, try looking at several different dealerships before making any decisions about where to buy your next vehicle. This will help ensure that you end up with something that fits your needs and budget best.

• Buying Process

Buying a car in Thailand is not an easy process, but it’s doable. Here are some things to know about buying and registering a car:

There are several ways to buy a car in Thailand. You could buy from an authorized dealership or an individual seller. If you purchase from a dealership, you will get more protection because the company will handle all of your paperwork for you and usually have better warranty options than individuals do; however, dealerships have higher prices than private sellers due to their overhead costs. If you choose to purchase directly from an individual seller instead, keep in mind that if something goes wrong with the vehicle after purchasing it (i.e., if something breaks down), then there may be little recourse available because there won’t be any type of warranty coverage protecting against defects found during inspections before sale or repair services performed afterwards unless otherwise stated explicitly beforehand between both parties involved during negotiations regarding the price paid versus cost incurred afterwards due diligence conducted by the buyer prior purchases made knowingly aware prior knowledge acquisition.

• Transferring a Car Process

The process of transferring a car to Thailand is relatively straightforward, but there are a few things you should know before you begin.

First, make sure that your car has been registered with the Thai Department of Land Transport (LTD) and has been issued a vehicle registration certificate (VRC). This certificate must be provided with every application for a transfer. You can also find an application form on the LTD website.

Next, fill out the appropriate forms for your type of vehicle and include all of your contact information such as name, address, phone number(s), email address(es), and passport number.

Finally, have your current owner fill out an application form to transfer ownership. This form will be submitted directly to the LTD along with all required documentation listed above.

• Taxes and Fees

Taxes and fees are a necessary evil when purchasing a car in Thailand. The government imposes three different taxes on vehicles: a tax on the car’s value, a tax on the annual mileage, and a motor vehicle registration fee. The tax on the car’s value is calculated by taking its price and multiplying it by 10%, while the annual mileage tax is based on how many kilometres you drive each year. Finally, there is an additional fee of 80 baht (about $2) if you register your car within 30 days of buying it.

In addition to these three taxes, there are other costs associated with buying and owning a vehicle in Thailand. First, there are processing fees for licensing your new car, this can add up to several hundred dollars depending on what kind of vehicle you buy. Then there’s an annual road tax (which varies depending on what size engine your vehicle has), as well as mandatory insurance that runs about $150 per year for comprehensive coverage (or less if you get liability only).

• Driver’s License

In Thailand, you will need to have a driver’s license to drive. You can apply for a Thai driver’s license at the district office or sub-district office in your area. To do this, you must provide:

• A passport photo
• Your home country driver’s license (if you want to transfer it)

When applying for the test and providing the above items, you may be required to pay a fee (around USD 10). In addition, when taking the driving test itself at any public vehicle test centre within Thailand, there is another small fee (less than USD 2) that must be paid as well.

• Driving Law

Driving in Thailand can be a bit tricky, but it’s worth the effort to learn the rules and follow them. Here are some of the most important things to know about driving in Thailand:

1) You must wear a seatbelt at all times, even when you’re an adult. Don’t think you can get away with not wearing one just because you’re an experienced driver. If a police officer sees you without your seatbelt on, they’ll pull you over immediately and fine you 500 baht (about $15).

2) You need to have a valid driver’s license with a photo ID attached before you can drive in Thailand. You will also need proof of insurance for your car, as well as proof that your car has passed inspection by the Royal Thai Police Department (RTP). These documents must be renewed every year.

3) It is illegal to drive while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs in Thailand. If you’re pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), there will be several tests conducted: breathalyzer tests; blood tests; urine tests; and physical examinations. If any test shows positive results for either drugs or alcohol consumption while operating a vehicle, your license will be revoked immediately and permanently.

4) Thais drive on the left side of the road (like most other countries), but they drive on the right side of their lane. This can be confusing for first-time drivers.

Conclusion

The car buying process in Thailand is a little different from what you might expect. The first thing to know is that there are lots of different kinds of cars on the market, and they come with different kinds of prices. If you’re looking for a new car, then you’ll probably want to pay more attention to how much it costs than if it’s used or not and even then, there are still plenty of options. Second-hand vehicles tend to be cheaper but they may need some work done before they can be driven safely on the road again; keep this in mind when considering whether or not this route would be right for your needs as well.