Conditions and Documents for Purchasing, Selling, and Transferring Ownership of Vessels of 5 or More Gross Tons

     In accordance with Section 456 of the Civil and Commercial Code, it is imperative to utilize a printed form and register the transaction with the governing officer when selling vessels that exceed five gross tons. Additionally, ownership transfer and tax payment, as required by the Revenue Code, must be completed before registration with the officials. This process is mandatory and must be strictly adhered to.

     Under Section 145 of the Navigation in Thai Waters Act, B.E. 2456, it is mandatory for anyone who obtains a license to use a vessel to transfer ownership of the said vessel to the Registrar of Ships, Marine Department. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in legal consequences. The new owner must inform a marine officer to update the license and change the name on the registration in accordance with the Marine Department's Rules and Procedures of Thai Vessel Registration and Vessel License, B.E. 2555 (2012), specifically Nos. 30-32. It is imperative to follow these guidelines to avoid any legal repercussions.   

     Transfer of ownership of a vessel is granted only by a juristic act and by any means other than a juristic act or court order. The transferor, transferee, or legal representative must submit the petition on a per-vessel basis to the registrar of the vessel. 

     If it is a transfer of ownership by juristic act, there must be a contract for the transfer of ownership, which is registered with the official, and the transferee must sign or put their fingerprint on the petition. There is a will if it is acquired by any means other than juristic acts or inheritance. A letter of registration of acquisition of title under Section 1299 of the Civil and Commercial Code and Section 1302 from the district office must be presented, and the transferee shall sign or place their fingerprint on the petition.

Buying or transferring ownership of vessels with a size of 5 gross tons or more requires preparation of the following documents:

1. Citizen ID card;
2. Alien identification certificate;
3. Passport;
4. Certificate of juristic person with juristic person seal;
5. Copy of ID card of authorized signatory, in the case of juristic persons;
6. Alien identification certificate of the authorized signatory;
7. Passport of authorized signatory;
8. Personal ID card;
9. Identification card of the assignee;
10. Copy of ID card of the head of a government agency or state enterprise;
11. Identification card of the authorized person;
12. Request for amendment of ownership (Form Bor 20);
13. Ship's particulars;
14. Receipt of payment of tax under the Revenue Code or evidence of payment of tax under the Revenue Code;
15. VAT registration certificate (Por Por 20) or evidence of tax payment according to the Revenue Code;
16. Letter of assignment of government agencies or state enterprises to any person to act on their behalf;
17. Power of attorney; download a form from the website: http://oldweb.md.go.th/srb/source/form.php;
18. Proof of ownership;
19. Receipt with the tax invoice or evidence of tax payment according to the Revenue Code;
20. Letter of registration of acquisition of ownership according to the Civil and Commercial Code

Information as of 30 April 2023
Source: Digital Government Development Agency
Tel. +66 2612 6060