I see it that shops and persons imported the parts and paid the lower tax on these parts. All with the view to rebuild a new bike in the majority of times. Im sure some importers did need some parts for fully imported bikes ( with full tax paid on them ) in the past that had been damaged or required repairing etc.

So effectively it was done with intent to defraud or evade the taxes and then sell the bike off etc

Then an illegal bike was born, and now the authorities have cracked down on them.

They have given an amnesty to those people. Use it would be the best option.

If those who thought they were buying a bargain ! think carefully, why are they are bargain ??

Big bikes in Udon will attract attention easliy and confiscation is an option, from the look of it. NO papers no book, no big bike.

E Caveat Emptor

This whole excise mess to me,is a retrospective tax......to the more better informed in the forum,is this legal under Thai law?
This is a serious question

since the bikes were brought in under false pretense, then sold under false pretense, though unregistered, which goes against rational thinking as a buyer. i think the authorities are being rather lax, and agree with wazza, take the amnesty period and get your bike squared away. just because they had lax enforcement before, doesn't mean it should be not be enforced now, as it is simply the law, always there for those to see and abide by. those that bought/rode/sold already, lucked out.

the only good thing that might come out of it, is they will realize many want larger bikes, and they may lower the excise tax to make it more feasible, though that would be way to practical. TIT.

It really is strange used parts are taxed at 3%. New parts at 30%

Guys keep in mind things have really changed here, when I first came here anything over a 150, had to be done a parts or pay a huge sum for import. a lot more the the 70K.

These days we have new bikes being sold by authorized dealers a the book cost is nothing. But, they still have to jump through hoops. only certain models have been approaved and that has been down to the color of the bike. Even with that system you will pay around twice as much for a bike here then you would the same new bike in the states.

The Kawaski 650 is made in Thailand and it is only 250K.

The 900 made in Japan 460K
Really makes you wonder about free trade does it not.

Hi

I have a couple of retired mates living in Udon and other mates that live within the country
I will live there myself in the near future but ----

I have heard about this from my mates but they were of the understanding the price for the plates was about 90 000 bht

It scared me off getting a big bike when I live there - I dont mind paying a reasonable price for something but I hate being ripped off

I can only guess that this is an initial step for the Thai govt to either gain carbon credits which is going to be a huge issue in the future starting from now 01 01 2010 when a heap of new legislation comes into place (all to do with environmental issues) or rip off the consumer who fails to comply with what they want as compensation

This,sadly will only get worse over the comming years

Its not just the licensing and registration that's a ripoff. The whole big bike market here is laughably inflated.

Just to add a bit more to the mystery, lots of guys are still riding without books or import papers, here in Udon so far worse case a 200 baht fine these days. Can that change sure when they want more tax money they know where to find it.

These new dealer shops are just that, haven't been around that long. Just about all the books in Thailand were grey books and yes you paid dearly for them. I paid 70K for my 400's book. On the other hand I renewed the registration three time snow and never had a problem.

I can go to Lao, Cambodia and Malayasia with just the normal paperwork, I don't worry about the police. These days your better off just getting a new bike. Lots of sports bikes available, cruisers it's Harley or Kawasaki. If you buy a used one make sure it already has a book, if it can be transferred to another. You don't have problem. If it's a hobby you enjoy don't let things frighten you.

Yes big bikes are more expensive here and the import is a nightmare. If it's worth to do it. If not don't.

Am looking at buying a bike that has no green book, but the sellers says he has the import tax and excise tax certificates my question is who do I see to confirm the legitimicy of the tax certificates.
Cheers

drillpig wrote:Am looking at buying a bike that has no green book, but the sellers says he has the import tax and excise tax certificates my question is who do I see to confirm the legitimicy of the tax certificates.
Cheers

The Tax office is on Prajack road... Thungsi-Muang end... next to a little bridge... right hand side travelling towards Thungsi-Muang... the office looks like a cricket pavilion painted blue… take it to there for validation…

Mr. Saboo

Keep in mind that doesn't get you a plate or book on the bike. That is only the tax process. Most guys have gotten by with that tax certificate as of the last few years.

You can find Bikes with the proper books on them if you look around but, it will cost you more.

Might check GT Riders and see what guys have went through to get books.

It was only when they started doing tax collection that guys started having problems. Keep in mind that can change at any time just as the Tax deal did. Right now you might be looking a 200 baht fine each time your stopped.

So beyond that it's personal choice or for the days when BIB stopped you to just look at your big bike.

How you doing Saboo?

Missed you At the race yesterday. Spies finally got America a first

Thanks lads.

I wonder how you would go if you bought one of the "Monkey" bikes or similar, all legal etc. and squeezed a 1 litre car engine into the frame....????

A car engine wont fit in a Monkey bike frame, but a 4 cylinder Monkey bike has been done already

People worry too much about the cost of a legal big bike here. You will pay more when you buy as opposed to the west but you will sell it for more also. It is what it is. I can buy a new Harley in Canada for less than a 3 year old one in Thailand but that is what they cost. Also buying a bike that does not have a proper book and plate might be cheaper at first but it can be a costly problem down the road. I would always go legal and not have to worry about it.

jai yen yen wrote:People worry too much about the cost of a legal big bike here. You will pay more when you buy as opposed to the west but you will sell it for more also. It is what it is. I can buy a new Harley in Canada for less than a 3 year old one in Thailand but that is what they cost. Also buying a bike that does not have a proper book and plate might be cheaper at first but it can be a costly problem down the road. I would always go legal and not have to worry about it.

We are definitely on the same page, jai yen yen.

You either want the bike and can afford it, or you don't and you can't. You either want to be legal, or you are willing to take the risk. I want it, and I want it with a green book. It's just my personal preference.

I've been 'Running the gauntlet' here for years!!!
Honda 400cc Steed (customised) ... No Tax, plate or insurance ... but the construction (not import) tax is paid!
Yamaha 400cc Dragstar (straight-thru pipes) ... No tax, plate or insurance ... have loads of paperwork for it which I keep copies of in the side panel for when I get stopped!
Suzuki 1400cc trike (registered!!!) ... No tax or insurance but it's got a green book!
I live and work here (It's 17yrs before I get a pension) and regularly go thru up to 8 spot checks per week!!
I've not had any fines for about 2yrs???? .....
Tip 1 .... Always wear a crash helmet.
Tip 2 .... Don't look at the police when you ride thru (eye contact will get you stopped)
Tip 3 .... Don't race off at high speed and try to avoid them.
Tip 4 .... If they flag you down and you're illegal .... slow down and do a 'fakie!' ... slowly pull in as if you're gonna stop and at the last sec. pull out and ride off ....
Will they try to stop you? ...
Yes, If they can try and kick you off! ....
Will they chase you? ...
No, the police budget can't afford the diesel! ....
Will they shoot you? .....
No... They have to have an order from high above to use firearms ... and ... each bullet they discharge they have to pay for out of their own wages between 22 and 30bht
Tip 5 .... Never pay more than 200bht for any offence that you might have committed (unless you're drunk! ... 3 to 5000 in the courts!)
I hope this makes sense to some people as I'm I'm tad drunk because I've actually got two days off!!!

Spot on Nick!! =D>
The worse I've ever had from doing a road block 'Fakie', is have a clip board thrown at me... Ouch!
Don't do eye contact... always wear a lid... don't stop unless you have 200 Baht ready to spend.

panick wrote:I've actually got two days off!!!

You should have called me to ride.

Re Panicks post the only thing that makes sense is Tip 1 .... Always wear a crash helmet.

The rest is a load of Bollocks: I have had cops chase me in pick up going thru a red light (unintentionally).
I have seen a cop try and shoot tires out on a Thai chaps VFR 400 on a ride to kao yai. many years ago but it happened.
(it works in movies only)
Why not keep legal and obey the rules? works far easier over time.

Hi there , first post here ....I have a Honda x4 1300 which has no plate , but the relevant paperwork . I have been told of the differing prices of obtaining a green book , but I have also been told that this could be a non official one as in a fake .....I am thinking of selling this bike and bringing in a Honda Varadero from Scotland , but a friend of mine here in Udon has showed me the new Triumph prices and also some of the Yamaha prices , both of which have dropped especially the Triumph prices.....
This is really a way of saying hi to other bike minded people ......Hi ....