A motorbike in Phuket is not a luxury — it's a quality-of-life multiplier. The island's layout means you will always be driving somewhere, and doing it in an air-conditioned car in 35°C traffic on the Kata hill costs time and sanity that a ฿3,500/month rental or a ฿55,000 owned scooter just doesn't.
Most long-term expats buy their own. It's cheaper than renting after 12–18 months, you know the bike's history, and you're not handing it back to a rental shop having paid for someone else's damage. This guide covers everything from model selection to registration, with honest 2026 prices throughout.
Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of serious injury among Phuket expats. Always wear a helmet (legally required, genuinely protective). Never ride after drinking. Be extremely cautious on wet roads during low season — tropical downpours make painted road markings and manhole covers lethal. If you're new to riding, take a lesson before hitting Phuket's traffic. The hospital ER at Bangkok Hospital Phuket sees entirely too many farang with road rash.
New vs Second-Hand: The Core Decision
For most Phuket expats, this comes down to how long you're staying and your mechanical confidence:
- Staying 1–2 years: Buy a good second-hand automatic scooter in the ฿20,000–35,000 range. Sell it when you leave for roughly what you paid. Monthly ownership cost (depreciation + maintenance + insurance) works out cheaper than rental after month 12–14.
- Staying 2+ years: New bike starts making strong financial sense. The reliability, warranty, and full service history are worth the premium for extended use. Finance is available through Honda/Yamaha dealers with minimal documentation for foreigners.
- Mechanically nervous: New bike, without question. Thai second-hand bike market has hidden surprises and finding a trustworthy mechanic for assessment takes time you may not have when you first arrive.
Best Motorbike Models for Phuket in 2026
Phuket's roads are a mix of flat coastal roads, steep hills (Kata, Kamala, Nai Harn, the road up to Phuket Town from the south), and occasional rough surfaces in residential areas. Not all bikes handle this equally.
| Model | Engine | New Price (2026) | Used (good condition) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Click 150i | 150cc | ฿61,000–65,000 | ฿25,000–40,000 | Daily commuting, single rider, good fuel economy |
| Yamaha NMAX 155 | 155cc | ฿69,000–75,000 | ฿30,000–48,000 | Comfortable two-up riding, under-seat storage |
| Honda PCX 160 | 160cc | ฿73,000–79,000 | ฿35,000–52,000 | Hills, two passengers, slightly longer rides |
| Yamaha Aerox 155 | 155cc | ฿74,000–80,000 | ฿32,000–50,000 | Sporty feel, good handling, popular with under-40s |
| Honda ADV 160 | 160cc | ฿82,000–88,000 | ฿40,000–60,000 | Adventure-style, best on rough roads, excellent storage |
| Honda Forza 350 | 350cc | ฿150,000–165,000 | ฿80,000–120,000 | Long trips, power users, very comfortable two-up |
| Honda Wave 125 (manual) | 125cc | ฿45,000–50,000 | ฿15,000–28,000 | Budget, simple, cheap to maintain — flat roads only |
Honda and Yamaha dominate the Thai market for good reason — parts are cheap and available everywhere, mechanics know these bikes intimately, and resale value holds better. Avoid importing or buying obscure brands. Even on the rare occasion a Honda breaks down, a mechanic is never more than 2km away in Phuket.
Buying New: How It Works in Phuket
Phuket has multiple Honda and Yamaha dealerships. Main Honda dealer locations: Phuket Town (near Central Festival), Chalong, and Thalang. Yamaha similar. The buying process for a foreigner is straightforward:
- Choose your model and colour at the dealership. Test ride is usually available or at least a slow ride in the car park.
- Provide your passport. For cash purchase, this is sufficient. For financing, you typically need a Non-Tourist visa and sometimes a Thai bank statement.
- Pay deposit (if ordering a colour/spec not in stock). Usually ฿3,000–5,000. In-stock bikes can be paid and ridden same day.
- Dealer handles registration. Your bike gets a green book (คู่มือจดทะเบียนรถ) — the registration document. Keep this safely. It is the proof of ownership.
- Compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor) included in new bike purchase for year 1. Renew annually — cheap at any insurance office or convenience store.
- Pay annual road tax (vignette sticker) — small cost, done at DLT or through dealer. Sticker goes on the number plate.
Buying Second-Hand: The Checklist
Second-hand bikes in Phuket range from mint condition (expat selling a lightly-used 2-year-old bike before leaving) to absolute disasters (rental shop selling a bike that's done 40,000km on no maintenance). Here's what to check:
- Green book (title): Must match the bike's chassis number and registration plate. Never buy without a green book. If the owner "doesn't have it," walk away.
- Chassis number: Check the physical number on the frame matches the green book.
- Engine and frame condition: Look for crash damage, bent forks, misaligned handlebars, unusual frame welds (indicating repair). Check under plastic fairings for damage.
- Tyres: Check tread depth and look for cracking. Phuket's heat degrades tyres faster than temperate climates. New tyres cost ฿800–1,500/tyre.
- Brakes: Both discs (front) and drum/disc (rear) should grab firmly. Grinding noises indicate worn pads.
- Test ride: Listen for chain noise, bearing rumble, and check that the bike tracks straight. Vietnamese-sourced bikes are common and many have been modified in unsafe ways.
- Service history: Not always available but worth asking for. Major services every 3,000–5,000km is standard.
If you're unsure, paying a local mechanic ฿200–500 to inspect before purchase is money well spent. Ask your Facebook group for recommendations near your area.
Transferring Ownership of a Second-Hand Bike
This is where the paperwork happens. You can't legally ride a bike registered to someone else — you need to transfer the green book into your name at the DLT (Land Transport Office) in Talang (Thalang). The process:
- Both buyer and seller (or their authorised agent) attend the DLT with: green book, both parties' ID documents (passport for foreigners), and any back taxes or fees owed.
- Pay transfer fee: approximately ฿500–1,500 depending on bike age and registration type.
- DLT updates the green book with the new owner's name and issues a new registration sticker.
- Full process takes 1–3 hours. Allow a morning.
Some expats skip formal transfer and ride on a basic sales receipt. This creates problems: if the bike is in an accident, you're not the registered owner. It also creates issues when you want to sell. Do it properly.
Pay for Your Bike Without the Bank Markup
Many expats buy their bike with foreign funds transferred to Thailand. Using Wise to transfer the money saves significantly compared to standard bank international transfers — mid-market rates, no hidden fees.
[AFFILIATE_WISE] Open Wise — Transfer Free for First Month →Motorbike Licence Requirements in Phuket
Thai law requires a valid licence to operate a motorbike. Your options as a foreigner:
- International Driving Permit (IDP) that covers Category A (motorcycles): Valid for driving in Thailand and accepted by most insurance policies. Get this in your home country before arriving — it cannot be obtained in Thailand. Valid for 1 year from issue.
- Thai Motorcycle Driving Licence: Get this from the DLT in Talang. Requires: passport, Non-Tourist visa (tourist visa holders cannot apply), medical certificate from a local clinic (฿100–200, takes 10 minutes), and passing a colour blindness test and reaction test at DLT. The written test is now available in English. Licence costs approximately ฿500. Takes half a day.
Getting a Thai licence is recommended for anyone staying more than a year. It's accepted by all Thai insurance policies, removes the annual IDP hassle, and is evidence of local commitment that can occasionally smooth things over at police checkpoints.
Motorbike Insurance in Phuket
| Insurance Type | Annual Cost | What It Covers | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Por Ror Bor (Compulsory) | ฿350–600 | Minimum third-party bodily injury. Very limited coverage. | Yes, by law |
| Class 3 (Third Party) | ฿800–1,500 | Third-party property and injury. Not your bike. | No (recommended) |
| Class 2+ / Class 1 (Comprehensive) | ฿2,500–6,000 | Your bike + third party + theft. Best protection. | No (highly recommended) |
At minimum, have the compulsory Por Ror Bor — it costs ฿350–600/year and is available at any 7-Eleven or insurance office. For a new bike over ฿50,000, comprehensive insurance is sensible. For a ฿20,000 second-hand bike, Class 3 gives you the liability coverage that matters most in an accident involving someone else. Renew at the same time as your road tax sticker to avoid forgetting.
Running Costs: What to Budget
For a typical 150cc automatic scooter used for daily Phuket commuting (approximately 30km/day):
- Fuel: ฿600–900/month (motorcycles get excellent fuel economy — 35–45km/litre)
- Servicing: ฿400–800 every 3–4 months (oil change, filter, check)
- Tyres (annualised): ~฿200/month (set lasts 1.5–2 years in Phuket heat)
- Insurance: ฿200–500/month (depending on class)
- Road tax: ฿100–150/year (negligible)
- Total running cost: approximately ฿1,200–2,400/month
Got Specific Questions About Transport in Phuket?
Our team has navigated the DLT, negotiated with dealers, and bought (and sold) bikes more times than we care to admit. Ask us anything.
Ask the Team Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
- Phuket Expat FAQ: 50 Questions Answered
- Best Areas to Live in Phuket for Expats
- Phuket Health Insurance Guide
- Rawai & Nai Harn Area Guide
- Phuket Lifestyle Hub
- New to Phuket? Start Here