Business guide for Thailand: how to set up

What you need to know

1. Can a foreigner own 100% of a Thai company?

   Business structure in Thailand, Company promoted by the Board of Investment (100% yours): Ownership: 100% foreign allowed for most promoted work; Tax holiday: Up to 13 years with no cap (A1+); less for other groups; Fees: About 27,500 baht (registration + certificate); Decision: 40, 60 or 90 working days by project size. Official fees: Company registration (MOA 500 + company 5,000): 5,500 baht; Foreign Business Certificate (s.12): 22,000 baht. Time: BOI decision: 40 / 60 / 90 working days; Promotion certificate: 10 working days; Foreign Business Certificate: 15 days.

   Where this comes from

   • Board of Investment, Investment Promotion Guide 2026, p. 72 "Procedures and Required Document after being Investment Promotion" (saved in round 1 as boi_guide_en.pdf; this appears to be the same file as TH-B2) (read 26 Oct 2026), read 26 October 2026

2. How much of an ordinary Thai company can a foreigner own?

   Business structure in Thailand, Thai company with foreigners holding under 50%: Ownership: Foreigners under 50%; Thais must genuinely own the rest; Fees: About 5,800 baht; Time: 1 hour at DBD on the one-day route; Founders: At least 2. Official fees: Memorandum of Association: 500 baht; Company registration: 5,000 baht; VAT registration: Free; Company certificate: 200 baht; Registration certificate: 100 baht. Time: Name reservation: Valid 30 days; VAT registration online: 27 working days; Registration: 1 hour on the one-day route; Tax ID: Within 60 days; Work permit: 3–7 days.

   Where this comes from

   • Department of Business Development, Ministerial Regulation setting, reducing and waiving registration fees for partnerships and limited companies B.E. 2563 (Royal Gazette vol. 137 part 106 Kor, 29 Dec 2020), scanned PDF (read 26 Oct 2026), read 26 October 2026

3. How much capital does a foreign-majority Thai company need?

   Business structure in Thailand, Company with a Foreign Business Licence: Ownership: Foreign majority allowed; Capital: At least 3 million baht per licensed business; Decision: About 2 months; Fees: From 27,500 baht (more with higher capital). Official fees: Company registration: 5,500 baht; Licence application: 2,000 baht; Licence fee (5 baht per 1,000 baht of capital; minimum): 20,000 baht. Time: Licence: About 2 months; Company registration: 1 hour on the one-day route.

   Where this comes from

   • Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542, English translation for DBD (hosted by DSI), read 25 October 2026

4. Is there a special company route for Americans in Thailand?

   Business structure in Thailand, US Treaty of Amity company: Who: US citizens or majority-American companies; Certificate: About 15 days; Fees: About 27,500 baht; Capital deadline: Minimum capital in by 29 Aug 2029. Official fees: Company registration: 5,500 baht; Application: 2,000 baht; Certificate: 20,000 baht. Time: Certificate: About 15 days.

   Where this comes from

   • info.go.th, Amity certificate (individual), read 25 October 2026

5. What taxes does a company pay in Thailand?

   Business taxes in Thailand: Company profit: 20% (small firms 0% / 15% / 20%); VAT: 7% to 30 Sep 2027; register at 1.8 million baht; Dividends paid: 10% withheld; Services to a foreign company: 5% withheld; BOI: Up to 13 years tax-free; Social Security: 5% + 5% of wages up to 17,500 baht; Treaties: India, UK, UAE, Sri Lanka, US.

   Where this comes from

   • RD, Corporate Income Tax, read 25 October 2026

6. Must Thai shareholders pay for their own shares?

   Business structure in Thailand, Thai company with foreigners holding under 50%, what it may do: At least 2 founders; shares of at least 5 baht, 25% paid before registration. Thai shareholders must invest their own money: Since 1 August 2026 (DBD Order 2/2569), where foreigners hold under 50% (or a foreigner can sign as director), each Thai shareholder must show 3 months of bank statements with the payment for their shares, and the receiving director’s statement must show the money arriving. Thai shareholders must really own and pay for their shares. Holding shares for a foreigner (a “nominee”) is a crime for both: up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 baht; directors who allow it are liable too.

   Where this comes from

   • Department of Business Development, Ministerial Regulation setting, reducing and waiving registration fees for partnerships and limited companies B.E. 2563 (Royal Gazette vol. 137 part 106 Kor, 29 Dec 2020), scanned PDF (read 26 Oct 2026), read 26 October 2026

7. Which industries does Thailand promote for investors?

   Sectors Thailand promotes for investors: Agriculture, food, biotech and medical; Advanced manufacturing; Basic and supporting industries; Digital, creative and high-value services; Electric-vehicle parts.

   Where this comes from

   • BOI, A Guide to the Board of Investment 2026 (July 2026), read 25 October 2026