Moving to Thai, have a few questions

[jamescollister]

Can you register the bike in your wife's name? I believe she is legally exempt from import tax as a 'returning Thai'- but she needs to have owned it for a period of two years. Maybe head over first and set up shop, send the bike over later? just a thought.

Dodging the import tax maybe good, but from what I've heard getting the bike registered and the green book issued is a nightmare.

No registration, compulsory insurance, number plates and the traffic police, guys with the big red light, will impound it on the spot.
Meaning you have to stay local, no road trips.

As to the safety aspect, it's dangerous on a bike, but I often feel safer on my bike, can get out of the way easier then in my car, little traffic out here in the boonies.
Just got to be aware that all cars, trucks, other motorbikes are driven, ridden by drunks, yabba heads and the brain dead.

[bankao dreamer]

Got back safe and sound from 7/11 apart from being cut up by a motorcy riden by a 10 year old on the main road. His age was a guess as I was to busy swearing at the fucker but no older than 10 or a very underdeveloped 11 year old

[baldrick]

but I often feel safer on my bike

outside the big cities yes - though night time is a lottery anywhere

[Stumpy]

Can you register the bike in your wife's name? I believe she is legally exempt from import tax as a 'returning Thai'- but she needs to have owned it for a period of two years.

Sabang, good to see you post again.

I am in the process of crating up my belongings and am in contact with a few agencies. The answer to your comment above is "No can do"(sadly). They stopped this a few years back. Thai national or not the duty tax applies for any motor vehicle. Additionally in the event you are bringing over say 2 or 3 TV's they are subject to the duty tax if they want to apply it.

[Stumpy]

Can you register the bike in your wife's name? I believe she is legally exempt from import tax as a 'returning Thai'- but she needs to have owned it for a period of two years. Maybe head over first and set up shop, send the bike over later? just a thought.

Dodging the import tax maybe good, but from what I've heard getting the bike registered and the green book issued is a nightmare.

No registration, compulsory insurance, number plates and the traffic police, guys with the big red light, will impound it on the spot.
Meaning you have to stay local, no road trips.

As to the safety aspect, it's dangerous on a bike, but I often feel safer on my bike, can get out of the way easier then in my car, little traffic out here in the boonies.
Just got to be aware that all cars, trucks, other motorbikes are driven, ridden by drunks, yabba heads and the brain dead.

Great Points Jamie. So yeah you sneak it in but the process to register it is as you said is a nightmare and simply not worth the grief.

I also feel same on safety. Motorcycle riding anywhere in the world is a risk but I always feel quite comfortable and do not worry about it much in Thailand. I think some of the posters who comment that you are crazy to ride a motorcycle in Thailand likely live in high traffic metro areas. In the US where I am now I feel far more anxious when riding. There are not many motorcyclists so people are not looking for them and honestly the drivers are really bad here where as in Thailand motorcycles are the staple vehicle for transportation so drivers are far more aware of them.

Anyway a bit off topic, sorry Bjtid

[Shanks]

Can you register the bike in your wife's name? I believe she is legally exempt from import tax as a 'returning Thai'- but she needs to have owned it for a period of two years.

Sabang, good to see you post again.

I am in the process of crating up my belongings and am in contact with a few agencies. The answer to your comment above is "No can do"(sadly). They stopped this a few years back. Thai national or not the duty tax applies for any motor vehicle. Additionally in the event you are bringing over say 2 or 3 TV's they are subject to the duty tax if they want to apply it.

Even back when you could do it his wife would have needed a full bike license to claim the bike was hers.

[Stumpy]

Can you register the bike in your wife's name? I believe she is legally exempt from import tax as a 'returning Thai'- but she needs to have owned it for a period of two years.

Sabang, good to see you post again.

I am in the process of crating up my belongings and am in contact with a few agencies. The answer to your comment above is "No can do"(sadly). They stopped this a few years back. Thai national or not the duty tax applies for any motor vehicle. Additionally in the event you are bringing over say 2 or 3 TV's they are subject to the duty tax if they want to apply it.

Even back when you could do it his wife would have needed a full bike license to claim the bike was hers.

Your right, I forgot about that. The Thai motorcycle license does not apply. She had to have been on the registration as well.

[Bjtid]

Thank you all for your opinions. I do value them. Last time I was in Bkk was 95. But I have traveled to worse places to ride a motorcycle, like Mexico city. So unless Bkk and the surrounding cities have gotten worse than MC, I am willing to take the risk.

If worse. Ill buy a car

[pseudolus]

Thank you all for your opinions. I do value them. Last time I was in Bkk was 95. But I have traveled to worse places to ride a motorcycle, like Mexico city. So unless Bkk and the surrounding cities have gotten worse than MC, I am willing to take the risk.

If worse. Ill buy a car

Ahh don't worry about it. A big loud hog belching fire and brimstone and you will be right enough. There are loads of biker clubs as well with regular tours all around the country.
for sale Yamaha XV1700 Road Star ... | North East: Isaan & Region | Motorcycles for Sale: 1000cc ++ | Bahtsold.com | Baht&Sold


As you'll be retired, you will not be commuting in rush hour and can pick and choose when and where you take the bike out. So as long as you remember a state of mind of "all these local drivers are actually trying to kill me" and ride accordingly, you will be fine.

[shaggersback]

[QUOTE=Bjtid

Ok so another question then, How much are larger motorcycles in Thailand. I am a big guy. 6'2" and 225. I dont fit on a honda250.[/QUOTE]


Have a look at one of these.

Honda Ctx 700

[shaggersback]

[QUOTE=Bjtid

Ok so another question then, How much are larger motorcycles in Thailand. I am a big guy. 6'2" and 225. I dont fit on a honda250.[/QUOTE]


Have a look at one of these.

Honda Ctx 700 6 speed manual or auto.
Honda Vfr 1200f manual or auto
Yamaha Bolt yamaharley

If your at retirement age you will love the 6 spd auto.

[Bjtid]

@ Shaggerback. I looked at the Ctx, dont care for the styling. Ill probably pick up an africa twin. Always wanted one of those and cant get them in the states.

Retirement is a relative term. I am done wearing a badge. I am 42, so young enough to continue to work, so I will probably teach once in Thailand. Which means I will commute, not sure if I will use public trans or buy a vehicle for that.

[pseudolus]

not sure if I will use public trans or buy a vehicle for that.

MRT beats the crap out of the BTS...

[saorsa]

Just buy a bike mate, don't listen to the 'it's too dangerous to ride in Thailand brigade'. Just ride like everyone is out to kill you and take nothing for granted at intersections. I bought my Harley Night train in Bangkok in 2009 and wouldn't want to live without it. Been overseas working the last 3 years, so she is sitting in my father in laws front room at Suphan Buri waiting until we move back to Thailand in January.

Have a look at GTrider forum for info on biking in Thailand and the rest of SE Asia.

[sabang]

Can you register the bike in your wife's name? I believe she is legally exempt from import tax as a 'returning Thai'- but she needs to have owned it for a period of two years.

Sabang, good to see you post again.

I am in the process of crating up my belongings and am in contact with a few agencies. The answer to your comment above is "No can do"(sadly). They stopped this a few years back. Thai national or not the duty tax applies for any motor vehicle. Additionally in the event you are bringing over say 2 or 3 TV's they are subject to the duty tax if they want to apply it.

Thanks for the head-up JP. TiT- the rules always change.

[terry57]

When one dials in how Thais drive it's quite fun driving here.

Newbies are the ones at big risk.

[thaimeme]

When one dials in how Thais drive it's quite fun driving here.

Newbies are the ones at big risk.

Yep - once one has it down, not a problem.
A majority of Thais have lovely and connected driving skills.....

It's the very few that perpetuate the broader negative stereotype that all Thais drive without consciousness and mad hatter.

[jamescollister]

When one dials in how Thais drive it's quite fun driving here.

Newbies are the ones at big risk.

Correct Terry, have heard of a few expats killed on bikes here, but mostly it's 2 week drunk tourists.
Once your tuned in to the nut cases on the road, you know a green light means, slow down and look, when turning right look, don't expect the idiot to pass on the left.
Expect all other drivers/riders to be in the twilight zone, if you are behind them you don't exist, that's why they walk with their backs to traffic.

Been riding here for years, have had daily, cars, trucks, passing other vehicles forcing me to move to the side, sometimes play chicken with them.
Only time I came off, kid on a trickle, 3,4 years old, straight out in front of me, couldn't stop.
Had to lay the bike down, hit the bikes wheels not the kid, lost a bit of skin, going slow through small village.

If you ride a bike in any country you develop a 6th sense, in Thailand it's tingling all the time.

[baldrick]

not a problem.

I am still reminded how many times I say fcuk when it comes to single lane each way

A majority of Thais have lovely and connected driving skills.....

not the majority - you mustn't be driving a vehicle much if you believe that

sometimes play chicken with them.

yes - making their arsehole twitch while pointing and mouthing at them " you fcuking idiot" can up the moral - though likely their eyes are closed at this point and they are screeching entreaties at Buddha

the majority of thai males should not be in charge of machinery - though that applies to the majority of western males also , but this is thai we are talking about

Plus you wanna educate him in Thailand ?

up to a certain level it is much of a muchness - most of the real learning is done at home - come highh school it is better to educate outside thai or UK government schools

[Gazza]

Ill probably pick up an africa twin. Always wanted one of those and cant get them in the states.

Honda have stopped making the AT but believe they're still making the Transalp 650 which is a smaller version to it.

Years back I was scouting the Bangkok back-street bike shops for an AT and came across a few Transalps here and there. Actually ended up buying one from someone who lived very near to me.

The AT was a bit too lofty for me (I'm only 5'10) for what I wanted, which was something for commuting, shopping, touring etc.
I found the TA ideal in size. A good little bike, mine was the 400cc for the Jap market but usually they're 650cc. Great for riding through flooded sois and navigating around grid-locked cars by hopping onto sidewalks. And the seat height allows you to look over the tops of cars to the road ahead. Also had a Harley Heritage at the same time but it always seemed like overkill to use it to just pop out to the nearest 711 or the far side of my village.

So by buying or importing a big cruiser you may no doubt will then want to get a smaller bike just as a run around.

I've ridden bikes almost every day from 1991 to 2011. 18 months on Issan backroads, commuted daily for years to and from Don Muang - Soi Thonglor on a 1200 Harley Sportster (customised with wide bars) during tollway construction. Also have traveled through and around 75 out 77 provinces on Harleys and the Transalp and only have great fond memories of riding anywhere in Thailand.
And if I'd have been deterred from Thai-riding on day one? well, no need to check for my pulse as I'd be dead already from boredom.

[runker]

My wife and I went through the process of getting our adult son dual citizenship. It is not difficult but does take some time because of all the paper work here in the US and in Thailand. The website for the Thai embassy has all the information you need. Now finding the forms and information is another matter. Make sure you use the correct embassy location in the US ( the one that handles things for the state your son was born in)

[saorsa]

Honda have stopped making the AT but believe they're still making the Transalp 650 which is a smaller version to it.

Honda are launching a new 1000cc Africa Twin which will be sold in Thailand. Expect it to hit the dealer early next year.

[FailSafe]

The import tax exemption on motor vehicles for Thais that owned them overseas for 2+ years and want to import them was eliminated some time ago- there are some goods that can come in without import tax, but there is also a list of exemptions, with motorcycles being on it. As mentioned, you will never be able to get a legitimate registration (green book) for your bike, even if you manage to bring it in (and there are plenty of true stories about bikes being held in customs for years without being released). It's a bad idea- sell it and buy something different over here.

Honda will be releasing the new Africa Twin early next year (loads of info on the net)- the price in the US will start at 13K, so I'd guess somewhere around 800K when it reaches Thailand.

The riding here is either great or shitty depending on where you live- I've been riding here for nearly 15 years.

There are a a lot of bikes available in Thailand these days, including high-displacement sport bikes and cruisers- a good rule-of-thumb is to add 80% (more for some makers like HD and Ducati) to US MSRP for anything that isn't manufactured within Thailand- for bikes manufactured within Thailand (generally smaller-displacement bikes that likely won't hold much interest for you) the prices are closer, though generally still somewhat higher.

As far as firearms go, I have a friend who is a dealer in the US who is currently working on an import negotiation with a Thai-based dealer, and he's been at it for a couple of years so far, with progress made but nothing happening yet- you will have no chance to import your own firearms, and, even if you could, again you'd get hit with huge taxes (a Glock 19 costs close to $3,000 here).

[Deckwan]

Don't listen to the naysayers....great riding here, but nothing like the states. Truly wonderful rides up north and I even enjoy bombing around BKK as well, but usually on a small bike for the city stuff.

One of the fun things about riding here is the outlaw nature of it...no cops (guess you may be ex leo) to chase you down, but if you fuck up and crash do not expect an ambulance to come grab you. Really weird phenomenon of super slippery dry pavement in the cities, especially under flyovers, BTS etc...combination of heat, chicken grease from food fenders and something else...have not figured it out but it is insane.

I just brought a 2012 CBR1000 over last month, got book couple weeks ago, 180K baht for tax and book, bike had less than a 1000 miles so was able to still import as "new". I picked it up cheap in the states and it is the full power version, not the neutered one they sell at Big Wing here. All that said I am in the business so if my Thai colleagues did not handle it I would not attempt it.

Also, with Japan free trade agreement think JP big bike tax goes to 0% in 2017 so the Japanese stuff at the official dealers will be getting cheaper, just sell what you have and buy a new one here.

[Norton]

just sell what you have and buy a new one here.

Good advice for nearly all your stuff. Sell off and travel light.