| Owning a car in Thailand is not difficult, although | | | | Most insurance policies do cover other drivers of |
| coping with the way many Thai drivers operate | | | | your vehicle if, and only if, the other driver holds |
| their cars can be hazardous. In Thailand both new | | | | a valid Thai driver's license and is sober. If he is |
| and used cars are available. You can also import a | | | | under the influence when an accident occurs, |
| car, but the import duties are heavy and you | | | | many insurance companies can refuse to pay. |
| could run into problems with parts and | | | | You will be covered if you are sober and either |
| maintenance if it is a brand not readily found in | | | | hold a valid Thai driver's license or have both a |
| Thailand. | | | | valid driving license from your home country and |
| Foreigners cannot obtain financing for a car in | | | | an International Driving Permit. You must have |
| Thailand. Your options are to pay cash, use a | | | | both. Despite the fact that an International Driving |
| credit card if you have enough credit available, or | | | | Permit has a one year validity period, Thailand |
| buy through a Thai citizen. | | | | honors it only 90 days from the date of your |
| The car can be purchased in a foreigner's name. | | | | entry into the country. Thai law requires you to |
| If you opt for financing through a Thai friend, you | | | | have the license and your valid passport with you |
| must be absolutely certain he is someone you can | | | | at all times when driving a car. |
| trust. If the person is not trustworthy, he could | | | | Talking on a mobile phone while driving is |
| let you make all the payments and then make | | | | prohibited in Thailand. If you are caught talking on |
| the final payment himself and take the car. The | | | | a mobile phone, the fine is 2000 baht. |
| car is in his name and there would be no recourse | | | | You are required to display a valid insurance |
| for you. However if he is trustworthy, after | | | | sticker and a valid road tax sticker on the left |
| making the final payment the ownership of the | | | | side of the car's windshield. The annual road tax |
| car can be converted to your own name. | | | | depends on the make and model of your car. The |
| Thailand is a right-hand drive country. If you are | | | | tax is usually about 2500 baht. You can normally |
| from a country that is a left-hand drive country, | | | | pay the road tax through your insurance |
| you will have to accustom yourself to right-hand | | | | company. If you prefer, many bank branches can |
| driving. For some it is a difficult adjustment, | | | | handle it for you. |
| especially if you are driving a stick shift. For | | | | One consideration is dealing with the police. Quite |
| others it is easy. | | | | often the police set up road blocks and flag down |
| While buying a used car is available, it is probably | | | | drivers if you have made a violation or if they |
| best for most foreigners to buy a new car | | | | wish to inspect your documentation. Thailand does |
| through a reputable dealership. In most cases the | | | | not have probable cause rights, so the police are |
| only cars on the lot will be display vehicles. You will | | | | at liberty to stop you even without cause. For |
| most likely have to order the car and wait for | | | | minor violations the fines are usually 200 baht to |
| delivery, which can take as long as two to three | | | | 500 baht. Quite often the police officer will allow |
| weeks, depending on your location. | | | | you to pay him immediately, without having to |
| If you wish to purchase options, in most cases | | | | find and go to a police station. If the police officer |
| you must pay up front for them. | | | | decides to send you to the police station, in most |
| Service is readily available throughout Thailand. If | | | | cases the police officer will confiscate your driving |
| you buy a common brand, such as Honda, | | | | license and return it only when you bring a receipt |
| Mitsubishi, or Toyota, most cities have at least | | | | proving that you paid the fine. If the police officer |
| one dealership. Independent service shops are | | | | confiscates your license, make sure to ask where |
| everywhere, even in some of the smallest towns. | | | | he can be found after you pay the fine. If you |
| Maintenance is relatively inexpensive in Thailand. | | | | are driving in an unfamiliar locale and are sent to |
| Parts and labor are also relatively inexpensive. | | | | the police station, if the police officer does not |
| Service stations in Thailand are full service. If, for | | | | accompany you, then in order to find the police |
| example, you come from the USA, then you are | | | | station it may be necessary to hire a taxi lead |
| probably used to self service. In Thailand, | | | | you to the police station. |
| however, the service stations do everything from | | | | If there has been an accident that resulted in |
| pumping the fuel, to checking your tires, to | | | | injury or death, even if you are clearly not at |
| washing your windows. | | | | fault you still may be arrested and released on bail |
| All fuel in Thailand is price regulated. All service | | | | while a final determination of fault is taking place. |
| stations sell fuel at the same price throughout the | | | | The vast majority of Thai drivers were licensed |
| country. Car washes normally cost between 120 | | | | without any kind of driver education at all other |
| to 140 baht. | | | | than a 2 hour film they must watch at the time |
| Car insurance is relatively inexpensive in Thailand. | | | | they apply for a first driving license. That can |
| There are three classes of insurance. First class | | | | make driving quite hazardous and it is imperative |
| covers collision and personal injury protection. | | | | that you drive cautiously at all times, making sure |
| There is no deductible. Second class covers | | | | to be very observant. The sheer numbers of |
| collision and personal injury, but will be covered | | | | motorcycles on the roads can make driving all the |
| only if an accident is determined not to be your | | | | more hazardous. |
| fault. If the police hold you at fault, then there can | | | | While becoming accustomed to driving in Thailand |
| be a large deductible or refusal to pay, in which | | | | can often be unnerving, being able to drive a car |
| case you would be responsible for damage to | | | | makes shopping much easier, getting to and from |
| other involved vehicles and any injuries. Third class | | | | wherever you wish to go in the rain much easier, |
| covers personal injury protection, but does not | | | | and opens all of Thailand for exploring. You might |
| cover collision. | | | | also wish to get a GPS. You can find a good GPS |
| It is recommended that foreigners carry the first | | | | easily in Thailand, loaded with highly detailed Thai |
| class insurance. In most cases, provided there | | | | maps, but all in the English language. Having a GPS |
| have been no claims during the year, depending | | | | makes finding your destination quite easy and it |
| on the make and model of your car you can | | | | can be very reassuring. Driving from city to city |
| expect first class insurance to cost between | | | | with use of a road map is fairly simple, but once |
| 18,000 baht to 25,000 baht annually. You must | | | | you arrive in an unfamiliar city having a GPS can |
| pay the full premium annually. | | | | be extremely helpful. |