And from member Brian Maxey

Renew Annual Vehicle Tax-disc & getting Compulsory Insurance.

Selling/Transferring of vehicle documents.

Eastern Verification Center is:- The office for Vehicle Registration, Annual Taxation, Annual Roadworthy Inspection, Driving Licence applications & renewal.

The office is about 19kms from Big C Supermarket (junction Sukhumvit Road / South Pattaya Road).

Travel north on highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road to Bangkok) about 10kms. Observe an 'overpass' bridge on your right, you need to pass under the bridge (turn right) signed 'route 36 to Rayong'. After about 9 kms you will see the 'School of the Regents' on your right hand side, the road you need is just before the school, but it's not easy to do a 'U-turn' here. A short way past the school is a place where you can safely u-turn.

Now drive just past the school again, and turn sharp left at a narrow road poorly signed in Thai. Follow this road a short way - on your left is a number of shops offering photo-copying, food, insurance, etc - on your right is a big building with two grand entrances (use the second). This is the 'Eastern Verification Center' office.

Vehicle documentation is Ground Floor, Driving Licences upstairs.

Open Monday - Friday 0830 to 1600.

(Thanks to Jay for this Gem)…Buyer BEWARE...when buying a used motor vehicle: car, truck or motorcycle. Ensure the vehicle is transferable and that the registration is current. This is a very important consideration when buying any vehicle. Check to be sure the seller is the person named in the vehicle's registration book as the current owner. Also, verify that the vehicle license has been annually updated and it is current. In the case of a seller who is representing the owner, you will need the seller to sign the transfer papers in order to transfer the vehicle ownership to your name. If you do not do this dire consequences may result, such as a fine for outdated registration or even jail if the prior registered owner reports the vehicle as stolen.

However, these problems can be overcome.

This is where a 'real gem' of a local business operator comes in. A lady in North Pattaya, Khun Nok, runs a used car centre, and she has a way to obtain new papers for your vehicle. Perfectly legal, once she has ascertained that the vehicle is not 'stolen', she will have the previous owner declared 'unavailable', and provided you are prepared to pay for all outstanding fees, plus a new Registration Book, and the transfer fees, you will get a vehicle in your name.

Contact Khun 'Nok'. She works at the "2nd Hand Car Center", located on the beach side of Sukhumvit about 1.5km north of North Pattaya Rd. Khun 'Nok' can also be reached at (mobile) 06-257-9888. She speaks English and proved to be valuable, knowledgeable and helpful resource.

Although she didn't ask, I suggest 'tipping' her should you need her advice or assistance.

To Renew Annual Vehicle Tax-disc.
(costs refer to a 2-door 4WD pick-up in 2006)

Go to Eastern Verification Center (at the rear of the "Regents" school): See above.

The office time has been dramatically streamlined as each counter is now a 'workstation' from the central computer. I waited less than 1 minute for my renewed '1 year' sticker. However, there are things you need first.

Use the group of 'shanty' offices near the center for purchase of Compulsory Insurance - 1,182 baht (this is often included in your regular insurance policy if you have additional insurance cover - class 1 or 2) receive window sticker. (Also 'photocopy' & 'lamination' & food is available here)

If your vehicle is over 3 years old - Go to 'Vehicle Test Center' at far end of 'shanty' offices - 150 baht. (250 for larger vehicles, 80 for M/C). (Compulsory Insurance is available here too!)

Go to Government Office (opposite), ground floor windows 2 or 3, give vehicle registration book (blue for car, green for m/c) and insurance sticker (and test certificate if appropriate). 1,050 baht.

Collect new window stickers, book, receipts etc from same window (or window 1 if busy) (can be collected next week-day). There are reduced numbers of staff at lunch-time. Open 0830 to 1600. (this process is now streamlined, maybe 5 minutes)

Test fee = 150 (varies with vehicle type)

Compulsory Insurance = 1182 (varies with vehicle type)

Registration = 1050 (varies with vehicle type)

Total for one year = 2282 baht (for an Isuzu 2-door 4WD pick-up). Good for 1 year.

Motorcycles cost less, cars & 4-door pick-ups cost more.

You can now do all of this up to 3 months before the due date. Late renewal attracts an 'overdue fine'.

Out of date registration or compulsory insurance results in invalid insurance cover - a big problem in Thailand, as the Police policy is to detain drivers until payment for damage/injury is assured.


Selling/Transfering of vehicle documents.

Take the vehicle, green book for motorcycle - blue for car, two paper discs of road tax & insurance (attached to vehicle), registered owner + ID, new owner +ID, & money, to the 'Eastern Verification Center' office (location see above). Ground floor is for vehicle document changes (windows 4 or 5), upstairs is for driving licences. There could be a wait between handing in the documents for change, and receiving them back. If you are selling, you need to wait to see them in order to ensure that the changes are in order, and YOU are no longer registered as responsible for vehicle/driver behaviour.

Don't send a deputy. Don't take the word of the new owner that they will do this for you. You are responsible for the vehicle until this change is registered.

Finally, ensure you cancel your 'voluntary' insurance (not the compulsory disc on the vehicle) if it exists, as any further accidents would reflect on your future premiums.

Comments. The new owner may suggest you report a 'lower' selling price than is fact. This is because the government 'selling/buying tax' (VAT) is a percentage of the selling price, and the seller is responsible for the 'tax' to be paid (7% I think?). I have never found out for sure if this particular application of the tax is a fact or just a good opportunity for a 'bonus'. TiT

For individual advice email - webhits2000@yahoo.com