Thailand Expats

curiousmaryjane · #1 14-01-2006, 07:46

Hello,

I've decided that I wanted to go to Thailand to learn of my ancestor's culture. I live in the US, but I have family there who can help me find a place, but my concern is my vehicle and visa. Does anyone know if it's a hassle to transport my vehicle (honda civic) and to get a long term visa? My mom can't go with me because her passport expired and she's trying to get a copy of her bith certificate from thailand (which will probably take years). She say's not to get a lawyer because it's a waste of money and I could probably figure it out myself. But money is no object, so do I get a lawyer to make it easier? or is it really no big deal? I know you guys probably get this question a lot, but I don't have time to research through the archives for the answer. Has anyone transported a vehicle? Is it a hassle? And does anyone know where the safest place a girl like me can stay without being on the news that some locals raped and killed me?

stevem · #2 14-01-2006, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by curiousmaryjane

Hello,

I've decided that I wanted to go to Thailand to learn of my ancestor's culture. I live in the US, but I have family there who can help me find a place, but my concern is my vehicle and visa. Does anyone know if it's a hassle to transport my vehicle (honda civic) and to get a long term visa? My mom can't go with me because her passport expired and she's trying to get a copy of her bith certificate from thailand (which will probably take years). She say's not to get a lawyer because it's a waste of money and I could probably figure it out myself. But money is no object, so do I get a lawyer to make it easier? or is it really no big deal? I know you guys probably get this question a lot, but I don't have time to research through the archives for the answer. Has anyone transported a vehicle? Is it a hassle? And does anyone know where the safest place a girl like me can stay without being on the news that some locals raped and killed me?

Import taxes on importing vehicles into Thailand are extremely high. Why not sell yours, and buy a new one in Thailand they are considerably cheaper.

You havent given much to go on with regards to your visa, how long are you intending to stay there for, what passport will you enter Thailand on. Details on visas and entry requirements are widely available on this board and also Thai immigration web sites.

LivinLOS · #3 14-01-2006, 13:18

Forget the vehicle.. >250% import duty on the value they asses the car to be (thai values) you will pay more than the car is worth in taxes alone..

I hear that Thai registrations from back in the day dont exist very much.. Does she still have family ?? Was she registered in some amphur etc.. If this was from many decades back I dont know if it will be a possibility..

As to the figureing it out yourself, Thailand is not so easy to arrive without language etc and figure out, a professional (who would not be expensive) would be my reccomendation but as stated I dont know if it is possible if you mean records before say 60's or 70's..

Why does she need it ?? Is she intending to take up Thai residency again ?? Surely she is a naturalized Americal by now ?? Just travel on the American one..

Nicke · #4 14-01-2006, 13:39

I think it is possible to bring a vehicle up to 6 months without paying import duty. Atleast I know people used to bring Harley Davidssons here and then let the bike do a "visa run", thus, transport it out of Thailand and then back every 6 months.

But I agree with the other posters, proably easier and cheaper to buy a car here.

curiousmaryjane · #5 14-01-2006, 14:43

Yes, she does have family there, who I am going to use as a translation crutch to get a good place to stay and so forth. Selling the car is an extremely good idea considering the tax. I probably will be staying longer then a year, I want to know my culture very well. My mom needs her birth certificate (she's thai) to get her passport renewed I'm assuming, that's just what she told me. She's building a house there that her family is constructing, but my cousins already have dibs on it. But that's why she needs to go back to see how the house is and everything. I think they are working on sending the birth certificate to her, but who knows how long it will take. Then it will take even longer to renew the passport. She owns a very successful business in Texas and has become an american citizen, so she has to follow all the rules we do. I guess I'll just have to get professional help for the visa if her family can't help me either. The one thing I am really concerned about is my safety, considering all the negative news I've been hearing about the nightlife for girls. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the future holds...CHEERS!! Thanks for your replies, greatly appreciated!!

the bigboy · #6 15-01-2006, 06:50

they drive on the otherside of the road.
if you ever have seen a thai drive a car , you don't want a car with the steering on the wrong side. for safety reasons it is better to rent an ABRAHAMS TANK thai people do have cars and motor bikes but they cannot drive get the tank please forget the civic

stevem · #7 15-01-2006, 06:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by the bigboy

they drive on the otherside of the road.
if you ever have seen a thai drive a car , you don't want a car with the steering on the wrong side. for safety reasons it is better to rent an ABRAHAMS TANK thai people do have cars and motor bikes but they cannot drive get the tank please forget the civic

What are you talking about, Honda City and Civics are amongst the most popular cars on Thai roads.

Heywood · #8 17-01-2006, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

What are you talking about, Honda City and Civics are amongst the most popular cars on Thai roads.

Yes but we drive on the wrong side of the road here in the states...so that would be an issue....sure it can be done, but its even hard enough to make the change for a lot of people, so adding in sitting on the wrong side wouldn't help.

curiousmaryjane, nice nick.

So your moms thai and your part thai...I'm curious did your mom not teach you thai??

I know a lot of mixed families and see that some do teach there kids both, some don't teach thier kids thai, which is hard to understand why they didn't.

Well good luck on your search..hope you keep us informed.

curiousmaryjane · #9 19-01-2006, 03:59

Yeah, unfortunately she didn't teach me thai because she didn't have custody of us when my dad divorced her. It's sad, so that's why I'm glad to get a chance to actually go to thailand and maybe learn something over there. I will keep up posts for sure when I get there...maybe even meet some of you!! lol

gregor200 · #10 19-01-2006, 17:23

here some stories, i found on pattayatalk

http://www.nittaya.de/redirect.php?u... Customs-Eng%

http://www.nittaya.de/redirect.php?u... Customs-Eng%

There's a saga on the thaivisa board of one man's attempts to import a 1990 Toyota Supra that he'd bought cheap and completely tore down and rebuilt over a long period of time. So he's got a very, very strong emotional attachment to the car.

To import he says:

1. You must have owned the car for at least 18 months.
2. You must have a work permit.
3. You cannot sell, hire, lend the car to anyone for a period of three years.

#1 http://tinyurl.com/7fd64
August 2004 a guy queries the thaivisa forum re the possibilities of importing his car from UK to Thailand.

#2 http://tinyurl.com/95jft
Car arrives at Laem Chabang mid-January 2005, but a few complications arise. This thread is 6 pages & 82 posts long!

#3 http://tinyurl.com/bk5mj
It's now Nov. 2005 and he still doesn't have his car. Read about impounded cars and auctions, Thai style

Heywood · #11 19-01-2006, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by curiousmaryjane

Yeah, unfortunately she didn't teach me thai because she didn't have custody of us when my dad divorced her. It's sad, so that's why I'm glad to get a chance to actually go to thailand and maybe learn something over there. I will keep up posts for sure when I get there...maybe even meet some of you!! lol

Oh..ok...well that's understandable.....Hopefully you will get to spend time there...I think thailand gives you some good perspective on life in general...beside having a great time..some very interesting people to meet along the way..I do hope you continue posting and checking back in...post a photo of yourself and introduce yourself...the people you would meet at Nickes place would be happy to great another board member.

So when are you planning on going??

curiousmaryjane · #12 26-01-2006, 06:04

thanks, actually i have put up a photo, but it's not showing for some reason...but I do have a website on myspace.com if you've heard of it... you can see my page at http://www.myspace.com/saintmaryjane I will probably be moving in about a year, after I graduate from UH. Can't wait to go though, I've already started to prepare by looking at houses and stuff...I'm so excited, I wish I can leave next month!!

Lucky7 · #13 26-01-2006, 06:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by curiousmaryjane

http://www.myspace.com/saintmaryjane I will probably be moving in about a year, after I graduate from UH. Can't wait to go though, I've already started to prepare by looking at houses and stuff...I'm so excited, I wish I can leave next month!!

Cute pics. I know how it feels to get all giddy about the prospect of seeing a new place and finding out where you're from. I felt like that a few years ago going to the Philippines to see where I was born and I'm thrilled with me going with my gF to Thailand in a few short weeks.

I'll add you on myspace. If you want to check out my page: http://www.myspace.com/crudesolo

Good luck with finding your roots. Let us know how it goes.