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Buying a Used Vehicle. Risky.
No laws compel the seller to provide any type of disclosure. The seller has
no liability if the vehicle you bought has had the odometer rolled back been
in a collision & rebuilt, or been in a flood.
Buying a New Vehicle
- Things to Know
+ Price - There is
no factory displayed Sticker Price. You are handed a printed price list. You
will only get a token discount - if any. You can, however, negotiate better
prices on equipment add-ons.
+ Delivery -
Motorcycles are no problem- You buy it, you take it home. Most car dealers,
however, stock only a few vehicles. You order a vehicle to be delivered at
some future date.
+ Insurance - It is
very important that you have insurance coverage before you take delivery.
Dealer insurance tends to be more expensive, provides reduced coverage, and
is usually with an unknown Thai Company.
Tip 1. Check with other Falangs to
get the names of 2 or 3 Companies then compare.
Tip 2. Red Temporary License Plate- The vehicle is
delivered with a Temporary Red License Plate. You are asked to pay a deposit
of 2-3,000 baht for this plate. The plate must be renewed annually at the
DMV. The red license plate also serves to alert thieves that a new vehicle
has just been parked in their neighborhood. It is wise to buy an anti-theft
device. Even an iron chain with a lock is better than nothing. Your permanent
license will arrive about 6 weeks later.
Tip 3. Blue Book – When you pick-up your permanent
driver license, ask about getting some or all of your deposit back.
Tip 4. Do not leave the dealership without the Blue Book. It designates
Ownership of the vehicle.
Tip 5. I usually keep a copy my blue book & insurance coverage
with me, in the event I am stopped by a traffic policeman.
Renting Cars: There are three classes of car
rental companies in Pattaya -the big, generally
more expensive international agencies such as Budget, Avis, etc.- good, local companies, with proper insurance and well
maintained vehicles -and finally the poorer companies, who may tell you they
have insurance, but don’t and have poorly maintained vehicles. Check
the vehicle you wish to rent very carefully, and verify the insurance
coverage. Look for a company that has new cars, or cars less than two years
old. They should have full insurance coverage available, including bail bond
insurance.
If you are in a serious accident, with injuries or fatalities –
as a foreigner you will likely be arrested (true in most countries and in Thailand),
and taken to the police station. Bail will be set, and if you can not pay you
will go to jail. If you have bail bond insurance, you (or your rental agent)
will call the insurance company, the insurance company will call the police
to confirm your coverage, and you will not have to stay in jail. You will
have to appear at Court when requested, and you will probably be asked not to
leave the country.
You should have breakdown coverage, good anywhere in Thailand.
Rental contracts should be in English – English language contracts are
recognized by Thai courts. Do not leave your passport with anyone - copies
are OK. Accepted is your own country’s drivers
license, an International Drivers License or a Thai driver’s license.
Renting
Motorbikes: Motorbike
Rentals generally do not provide insurance, and if the bike is damaged or
lost - you pay for it. A few rent new motorbikes – they may have
insurance for them, but check carefully. Also ask about theft coverage. The
motorbike agency must provide you with a motorcycle helmet. If the police
stop you without a helmet, you will be fined 400 baht.
Renting Jetski’s: - It is best not to rent. Many
of these rental dealers are dishonest. Check
the vehicle very closely. Check for any minor or major damage. Don’t be
surprised if you are charged 2 to 3 times the cost of the repair. Don’t
be surprised if the policeman showing up is a “friend” of the motorbike
owner Most of these jetski operators work like a
Mafia.
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