Van Transport Business

[PeteC]

Was looking at the Toyota site: http://www.toyota.co.th/en/toyota2009_home.htm specifically at the commercial vans that they offer:

1) Hiace starting at 875,000 Baht
2) Commuter 1,138,000
3) Ventury 1,338,000

A relatively small investment for a business you could run yourself under your Thai wife's name. Get a good insurance policy, a safe and sane driver, and go after the airport and visa run trade, and charter trips to Bangkok and other tourist destinations.

I know there are many of them around, but how many do have safe and sane drivers, and are organized and advertised in a manner that brings in steady and repeat business, and are trusted. Not an outrageous idea. Pete

[littlebird]

You would also need the permission of the local taxi mafia and regular payments to them

[Lung Per]

You would also need the permission of the local taxi mafia and regular payments to them

And a work permit. I guess work as drivers is reserved for Thais only.

[pharvey]

You could always offer an ''Express Service'' that is currently unavailable......

The super bus is an electric bus and can travel at a speed of 250kph. It greatly reduces air pollution. The bus has been designed for sustainable mobility.

The rechargeable batteries can be charged with solar power. The bus has 6 wheels and 12 doors measures 15 meters and has a 23 seat capacity. The super bus is fully powered by electricity and constructed with light carbon fiber materials to make it more energy efficient.

The super bus integrates the speed and service of a fast train and with flexibility and comfort of a road vehicle.

[Lung Per]

[quote="pharvey"]You could always offer an ''Express Service'' that is currently unavailable......

78060102-super-bus.jpg

The super bus is an electric bus and can travel at a speed of 250kph. It greatly reduces air pollution. The bus has been designed for sustainable mobility.

The rechargeable batteries can be charged with solar power. The bus has 6 wheels and 12 doors measures 15 meters and has a 23 seat capacity. The super bus is fully powered by electricity and constructed with light carbon fiber materials to make it more energy efficient.

The super bus integrates the speed and service of a fast train and with flexibility and comfort of a road vehicle.


Sign me up for the first trip

[usual suspect]

The idea of a Farang running mini-vans has been done. Tho' not as long-distance taxis, but on golf trips. I think it was the guy who had Lips Bar, nice Polish man. I also heard he gave his Thai lady 2 million Baht to buy 2 new vans in her name..she got the 2 vans, but on monthly payments and kept most of the dosh & went up-country..sounds about right..this IS only a rumour I heard.

[kendo]

There was a farang running around Hua Hin in a Tuk tuk taking fare's about 5 years ago i think he was a Scandinavian chap, he did not last long, from what i have been told he was threatened within two weeks with a knife and told to leave town.

I think Pete i would go down the lines of transport and tours, but keep low key by taking e-booking and have a few tour shops on a commision baises.

Do not rub up other bus owners the wrong way, just remember transport is very very competitive business and there is a lot of people doing it, in thailand it's one of the better things a rural family can get into.

Kendo.

[PeteC]

Yes, a foreigner driving a tuk tuk for hire would be a bit 'in your face'. My op statement about a driver meant a Thai driver, not the foreigner. I guess the biggest obstacle would be what littlebird mentions. You would have to determine who and what they are, if any, in the area you plan to set up operations. Pete

[kendo]

We have hired many mini vans just for us, to travel the 10 hours up and down from Hua Hin to Surin and to the airport's now we find that good reliable thai drivers are not easy to find they are eather crazy poor drivers that dont really have much regard for you or other road users, or they drive to slow on a really long journey.
For us especially now we have a baby paying over the avarage rate for a really nice bus with a good driver is something thats well worth budgeting for as we only come over for a month at a time and the convienance and safety door to door, i think well worth it.

For example you could organize visa runs with some border market shopping thrown, in or Pattaya Bangkok Hua Hin service every two or three days.

I dont really agree with the statement that you would have to pay the local taxi mafia if your business on the serface was a tour operator fronted by thai's and your lower key role was punting your services to farangs friends or in bars etc, i for one would be more enclined to book a farang owned business with the promise of safe FULLY INSURED drivers that will take good care.

Just food for thought Pete, as i dable in courier work and light haulage on my four days off from the docks.

Kendo.

[littlebird]

Sure, I think as a tour company there should be no problems, well maybe a little money here and there as is the case with everything

[PeteC]

Yes, good insurance is a big deal for tourist foreigners and expats alike, and rightfully so. I think the act in itself of publishing a policy summary showing the coverage and monetary limits would attract business. I don't know what happens normally in case of an accident and injury. I bet though it takes days even to find out about the company's insurance, then weeks to determine coverage, and months to get payment. Pete

[pharvey]

Yes, good insurance is a big deal for tourist foreigners and expats alike, and rightfully so. I think the act in itself of publishing a policy summary showing the coverage and monetary limits would attract business. I don't know what happens normally in case of an accident and injury. I bet though it takes days even to find out about the company's insurance, then weeks to determine coverage, and months to get payment. Pete

It's a very valid point - I'd hate to think how many unwittingly take trips/tours without considering insurance or assuming all insurance is in place. Certain companies may certainly seem to be reliable/competent, but what for example is the legal minimum for insurance regarding these businesses?

[PeteC]

That I don't know. We'll have to wait and see if our forum insurance guy shows up. I would hope that passenger carrying companies have stricter regulations than just the minimum government mandated insurance. Pete

[ste860]

the public liability here is not enough i dont think to compensate if a farang has a accident , on any tour ,and also you would have to have TAT (tourism of thailand )
licience which also includes a bond i think.plus all the other back handers mentioned above

[kendo]

Going back 4 years ago we hired a mini van from the next village to do the big run down to Hua Hin got picked up by a farther and son team, the young lad drove from Prasat nearly as far as Aranyaprathet, then they changed over after about half an hour i commented to my wife that " the young lad is a far better driver than his pop" then the wife said "yeah very good for 15, he go's to school with my son" TIT.
Kendo.