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Just a heads up, some might be aware of it already but if not then worth contemplating. Lately, over the last couple of months I've been stopped any asked for the ownership documents of the car I'm driving by the police, never been asked before, and the first time I didn't have them and got fined 300 baht even though had a 5 year licence and tax plus insurance all in order. What I found out is that the ownership documents are the green book if you've paid for it all but if you are making monthly payments and have it on credit then it's a slip of paper issued from the garage or finance company that says you own it as they keep the book. It's not a problem to get it, just a phone call and they'll pop it in the post straight away to you.
From what I've found out, there's some obscure law that says you're supposed to have it in the car with you but almost no-one has heard of it or has the slip of paper, let alone with them in the car. The reason I've mentioned this is because I've been asked for it about 6 times in the last 3-4 momths and got asked for it again this morning on the way from Khon Kaen to Korat, luckily I had it this time and the cop seemed pissed off that I'd got it as there was a big line of people at the police box waiting to pay a fine for not having it. Asked the wife about it she mentioned that these operations look like to her that the police are asking for something that they know 90% of people won't have but is law in a way to fund all the extra police and army costs that are being incured everywhere.
Just letting all know that it might be worth putting it in your glove box at the moment if you're driving around and if you've not got it then phone the garage or finance company and get it mailed to you.
I've edited your title because there is no trickery involved. If people are breaking the law (irrespective of how old/obscure it is), then yes, they are leaving themselves wide open to a fine. Thank you for warning people.
Hopefully your warning will save many people having to pay fines.
I have had a car here for over 20 years, and it has always been the law that you have to carry the registration book in the vehicle. People tend to not do it because they claim if the car is stolen, then somebody can forge the signature and sell the car. I keep mine in my car because it is in my name, and I doubt that anyone can forge my signature!
My Daughter keeps a photocopy of hers in her car, but I have no idea if this is acceptable. I will probably find out one day when I am driving it and get stopped!
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
We keep photocopies in ours as well, but never been asked for it when stopped. It does seem like yet another locally established money making routine. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
I've been stopped and asked for it as well quite a few times over the years in the NE.
I quite often drive in the area down towards the Cambodian border where they have frequent checkpoints to check for smuggling or whatever and they've tried that on me.
I carry all the documents on me when I'm driving anywhere in Thailand, but I don't leave them in the vehicle when it's parked.
Another obscure law I've discovered is that for the insurance to be valid, the owner of the vehicle has to hold a driving license, even if they're not driving it!
I keep mine in the car and it is in my name. Better safe than sorry. I also carry my passport and yellow book every time I leave the house... call me paranoid but I want to have everything with me at all times to prove I am legal here.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
I am going to be "temporarily importing" my car from Cambodia during my trip to Hua Hin this summer. Does anyone think this will make me even more of a target for the tea monkey collectors, Cambodian plates and all.
They throw their clubs backwards, and that's wrong. You should always throw a club ahead of you so that you don't have to walk any extra distance to get it. ~Tommy Bolt, about the tempers of modern players
rikkitikki wrote:I am going to be "temporarily importing" my car from Cambodia during my trip to Hua Hin this summer. Does anyone think this will make me even more of a target for the tea monkey collectors, Cambodian plates and all.
Absolutely and without a doubt, starting the minute you arrive at the immigration checkpoint on the Thai side. A Farang driving a car with a Cambodian plate is something the MIB rarely see, if ever, and you will be prime pickings.
Make sure you have all documents in order, including insurance, and any permits needed. Probably best to make many duplicate copies to hand over if needed. Good luck.
Come back during and after your visit and let us know how it went. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Thanks for the advice! I assumed there would be road tolls but I wonder about the magnitude and frequency. I will have in tow my son's nanny who can speak Thai and Khmer.
My calculation looks like:
Cost of two round trip plane tickets plane from PP and lots of taxi/tuk tuk fare for 5 weeks vs. unknown fist fulls of Baht to those "who serve and protect". I plan on golfing 3-4 times a week and I imagine that would really add up in taxi fares. Should I just fly and save the excitement for another time?
They throw their clubs backwards, and that's wrong. You should always throw a club ahead of you so that you don't have to walk any extra distance to get it. ~Tommy Bolt, about the tempers of modern players
