4.000 Euro Penalty

May 16, 2013
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I heard that a foreigner had to pay around 4,000 euros for a border crossing with Honda CRF from Malaysia to Thailand.

He bought a motorcycle in Thailand, but did not let it be rewritten in his name.

The departure from Thailand to Malaysia was not a problem, but he was stopped on the return journey.

Allegedly it is illegal to buy a motorcycle in Thailand if you do not have a visa of one year.
In Thailand this should not be a problem, but at border crossings.

The whole thing happened to a friend of a friend.

Can it be true?
 

Dodraugen

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4000 € is around 130-135 000 baht, thus the value of a new Crf250L. I doubt very much that one can get a fine of the value of a completely new bike. But if so the local customs will have a lot of tea to drink the next decades....

The qualifications for buying and getting a vehicle registrated for a foreigner in Thailand is that you have a valid recidency certificate. It says nothing about a years visa - afaik.
 
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canthai

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Crossed at Sadao many times. Always had correct paperwork ...
That being said I believe this to be BS
Green book in your name, translation of same, fill out forms at border, Give one copy to Thai Customs on departure, get sticker, ride to Singapore.
On return hand in copy received on departure to Customs, clear Immigration, ride into Thailand.
Easy
On return
 
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DavidFL

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I heard that a foreigner had to pay around 4,000 euros for a border crossing with Honda CRF from Malaysia to Thailand.

He bought a motorcycle in Thailand, but did not let it be rewritten in his name.

The departure from Thailand to Malaysia was not a problem, but he was stopped on the return journey.

Allegedly it is illegal to buy a motorcycle in Thailand if you do not have a visa of one year.
In Thailand this should not be a problem, but at border crossings.

The whole thing happened to a friend of a friend.

Can it be true?

4,000 Euros? 55
" I heard that.....The whole thing happened to a friend of a friend."
Sounds like something you would hear in a bar at closing time.
Sorry.
 
May 16, 2013
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3
Not heard in a bar.

A friend of mine knows someone who bought a motorcycle in Thailand.
But he did not let it be rewritten.

It was further registered on the name of the motorcycle dealer.
He went by motorbike to Malaysia. On the way back he was then stopped at the border.


Perhaps it can be illegal to cross the border on a rented motorbike?
Exception of a commercial landlord?

Are you sure that you need a translation from the Green Book? I've never read that before.

Apparently you need at least when traveling to Laos no translation
Original Green Book Needed when Travelling Thailand - Lao?
 
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DavidFL

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Not heard in a bar.

A friend of mine knows someone who bought a motorcycle in Thailand.
But he did not let it be rewritten.

It was further registered on the name of the motorcycle dealer.
He went by motorbike to Malaysia. On the way back he was then stopped at the border.


Perhaps it can be illegal to cross the border on a rented motorbike?
Exception of a commercial landlord?

Are you sure that you need a translation from the Green Book? I've never read that before.

Apparently you need at least when traveling to Laos no translation
Original Green Book Needed when Travelling Thailand - Lao?

I understand you should have an English language translation when you go to Malaysia.
However they may not always ask for it.
They don't ask for one for Laos, perhaps because they can read the Thai script too.

You can take a bike out of the country if it does not belong to you, only if you have written permission from the legal registered owner. If not you could be stealing the bike.

4,000 Euros = 135,000 baht!
Did the guy who was supposedly fined 4,000 Euros get any sort of receipt?