The Company Registration Guide in Thailand for Foreigners in 2025

Many people consider setting up a company in Thailand to obtain a visa and live in the country long-term.

While it’s a feasible option, it’s not recommended.

In our opinion, you should register a company in Thailand only if you plan to conduct real business here. Although there are many options available, as a foreigner, there are primarily two main routes:

• You can follow the common path of establishing a limited company
• Or you can have a company promoted by the Thailand Board of Investment, which offers numerous perks related to corporate tax and the ability to hire expats.

This guide shows you how to set up a company in Thailand on your own, covering requirements, paperwork, how to obtain a business visa and work permit as a company founder, and all the other details of running a business in Thailand.

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Incorporation Options

When you look online, you will see many types of incorporation options available. This can easily confuse you.

In fact, there are mainly three options available to you:

• Set up a limited company without a Board of Investment (BOI) promotion
• Set a limited company with a Board of Investment (BOI) promotion
• US-Thailand Treaty of Amity

For other options, such as establishing a representative office, branch office, registering a company under the US-Thai Treaty, or sole proprietorships, they are becoming less common. 

So, in this article, we will mainly focus on how to register a company in Thailand on your own for limited companies and the Board of Investment promotion.

Limited Companies vs BOI Promotion

If it’s possible, it’s always better to get the BOI promotion since it comes with many more benefits than setting up a company without the BOI promotion, for example:

• You can own 100 percent of your company shares.
• Getting visas and work permits for you and your foreign employees is much easier.
• Your company might be exempt from paying corporate taxes for up to eight years.

But there are two main disadvantages to getting the BOI promotion:

• It requires extra steps to set up a company since you need to deal with the Board of Investment. The whole application process of getting approval from the BOI can take one to three months.
• It places more demands on accounting since you have to regularly report your company’s financial status.

In addition, not all companies can get a BOI promotion. The BOI has its own categories to specify which types of companies it can promote, which are subject to change regularly based on what Thailand needs at that time. 

Moreover, each category has different requirements. You can find out more in our guide to setting up a BOI promoted company.

US-Thailand Treaty of Amity

This option is only available for U.S. citizens.

If you are American, you can own 100% of the shares in your Thailand-based company with this option.

It’s also possible to have shareholders of other nationalities. However, an American must hold at least 51% of the shares, and at least 50% of the company’s directors must be American.

Certain business activities are restricted under this option, including:

• Communication
• Transportation
• Banking
• Land ownership
• And more.

While this option looks good on paper, setting it up can be quite complicated. Additionally, to hire a foreigner, including yourself, the 4:1 ratio of Thai to foreign employees and the 2 million baht capital requirement still apply.

In our opinion, obtaining BOI (Board of Investment) promotion is a better option if your business is eligible.

You can find out more information from the US Embassy website.

Requirements

Let’s examine the key requirements to set up a company in Thailand:

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• registered capital
• shareholders
• cost
• company address
• auditor license number
• thai workers

Registered Capital

When it comes to the minimum registered capital requirement, it depends on whether your company is promoted by the BOI or not.

If promoted by the BOI

The minimum registered capital for your company primarily depends on the amount required by Thailand’s BOI, which varies between industries. 

For instance, a software development company needs a registered capital of THB1,500,000, while a co-working space provider requires at least THB10,000,000.

If not promoted by the BOI

If you don’t plan to have your company promoted by the BOI, the minimum registered capital is THB2,000,000. 

This is the minimum capital required to hire a foreign employee (like yourself). 

While a larger registered capital can boost your company’s credibility, if your company’s registered capital exceeds THB5,000,000, you’ll be subject to higher corporate taxes than companies with lower registered capital. 

We’ll delve deeper into this in the Corporate Tax section below.

Please note that a Thai entity is exempted from this rule.

Shareholders

A company must have at least three shareholders. If the company isn’t promoted by the BOI, foreigners cannot hold more than 49 percent of the company shares. 

Following this route requires finding Thai partners to own the remaining 51% of shares. 

It’s crucial to note that using a proxy to have a Thai individual hold company shares on your behalf is illegal. 

Conversely, if the company is BOI-promoted, foreigners – including family members and partners – can own 100 percent of the shares.

Company Addresses

To establish a company in Thailand, you need a legitimate company address. 

There are four options available:

• Virtual Office: Good for a start-up company that doesn’t require hiring an on-site worker. Costs start at a few thousand baht per year.
• Serviced Office: A very convenient way to set up an office since you can just sign up and have the office ready.
• Physical Office: You rent an office within an office building. In the long term, it’s more affordable than a serviced office but requires more upkeep.
• Home Office: You rent a house and convert it into a home office. This is not recommended for a new business owner as there are many hassles involved, but it can be the cheapest option.

Tip: You should choose your company location well in the beginning. Changing your company address later can be troublesome, requiring communication with various entities like the Department of Business Development, Revenue Department, banks, service providers, partners, and more.

Auditor License Numbers

Currently, you need to have an auditor license number when setting up a company in Thailand. If you engage an accounting firm or a legal firm to assist in setting up your company, they should be able to provide you with an auditor license number. 

If you don’t already have one, you can search online. Numerous auditors can offer you an auditor license number for a fee ranging from THB500 to THB2,000.

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Thai Workers

Unless your company is promoted by the BOI, you need to employ at least 4 Thai workers. This is not required initially, but it becomes necessary when you apply for a business visa for yourself.

Step-by-Step Guide on Setting Up a Company.

Establishing a company is the most challenging part, where you’ll encounter various legal intricacies. 

It’s important to state that the whole process is mainly in Thai, so it’s helpful to have a reliable Thai partner or hiring a law firm.

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Knowing the Department of Business Development

When it comes to setting up a company in Thailand, you first need to know about the Department of Business Development (DBD).

It’s a government organization that oversees all companies in Thailand.

Regardless of your company’s legal structure, you must establish and register your business with them. You’ll need to prepare the documents mandated by the DBD and meet their specifications.

The DBD has offices in Bangkok and other provinces, making it convenient to register a company outside of the city. 

You can submit your documents for company registration at any DBD branch, regardless of your company’s location. 

However, if you make any modifications to your company’s details, you must do so at the DBD office where you initially registered the company.

Book Your Company Name

The initial step in registering a company in Thailand is reserving your company’s name. There are a few requirements:

• The name must be in both Thai and English
• It must not be similar to any other company’s name. 
• It must not include a name of the royal family, ministries, or any governmental organizations in Thailand. 

You can reserve your company name online via the Department of Business Development’s website. 

Important: To book a company name, you first need to create an account and reserve a company name. The whole process is pretty straightforward, but it’s all in Thai. After booking a company name, print out the confirmation letter and register the company within 30 days.

Document Requirements

Document preparation is the primary step in registering a company in Thailand. In essence, the success of your registration hinges on the documents you compile. 

A handy tip: engage a Thai individual to assist with document preparation since the entire process, including the forms you’ll complete, is in Thai.

Below is an example of the documents you will need:

• list of shareholders
• shareholder’s financial certificate
• meeting notes
• proof of capital payment
• memorandum of association
• proof of company address

Note: Your landlord might charge you between 2,000 baht and 3,000 baht to provide proof of company address, which may include copies of the house owner’s ID, house registration, map, and lease.

Though the document list might seem daunting, it’s more straightforward than it appears. 

You can access and download most of these documents directly from the Department of Business Development website. They also offer guidance on how to complete the forms. 

If you hire an agent to do it, here’s what you need to give them:

• 2 signed copies of all the companies shareholders Thai ID or passports
• 2 signed companies of the rental contract or house registrations
• company stamp (optional)

After that, they will prepare all the documents and send them to you for signature. Once signed, send the documents back to them to register the company.

Company Stamp and Logo

If you’re considering having a logo and a stamp for your company, it’s advisable to get them before registering the company. This is because you’ll need to register your company stamp and establish an authorized signature during the company registration process.

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You can still register a company without a stamp, but if you decide you want one later, you’ll have to revisit the Department of Business Development to make the addition.

Obtaining a company stamp in Thailand is straightforward. 

There are shops in most department stores that provide this service, or you can order one online. The process typically takes a day and costs a few hundred baht per stamp.

For the company logo, you can hire a designer or do it yourself using Canva.

Where to Registering Companies

When you have all the necessary documents, there are primarily three methods to register a company:

1. Walk-in

You can visit any Department of Business Development in person. They are open on weekdays, except on holidays, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Once there, inform the information counter that you’re there to register a company. They will preliminarily review your documents. 

If everything is in order, you’ll be given a queue number to meet with a DBD staff member for a more detailed document check. If all is correct, you’ll receive an invoice and can make the payment at a nearby cashier counter. 

Typically, you can receive the company registration certificate the same day.

If there are issues with your documents, you may need to locate a nearby printing shop to make corrections. Be aware that most of the process will be conducted in Thai.

2. Company Registration Service

This is the most popular method, even for Thais, since it reduces the hassle of visiting the Department of Business Development in person. The company registration service is typically provided by a law firm or an accountant.

To use this method, the service provider will send you all the necessary documents by post. After that, sign them and send them back. Then, they will send you a company registration certificate within a few days.

If you’re working with an accounting or law firm, they’ll typically handle the registration this way on your behalf.

3. Online

Registering online is becoming increasingly popular since you can do it from the comfort of your home. 

Any required document corrections can be made instantly, make it very convenient. 

To register your company online, first, set up an account on the DBD E-Registration website. Once that’s complete, upload all necessary documents and register the company there.

After all your documents are approved, you can pay the fee online using mobile banking. The business registration certificate should be sent to you within a week. It’s an essential document that you’ll frequently need when interacting with other organizations as a company.

However, there are two main problems with online registration:

• The entire online process is in Thai.
• All company shareholders need to have an account on the DBD E-Registration website. And this can be a big hassle to set it up even for Thais.

Procedure After Registering the Company

The process doesn’t end once you register the company with the Department of Business Development; there are still other steps you need to complete.

It’s advisable to complete all of them within 3 months after setting up the company. Otherwise, you will need to contact the DBD again to obtain a new set of business registration certificates.

Getting Visas and Work Permit

AFTER you successfully register your company in Thailand, you can get a business visa and a work permit. 

During the company registration process, you should be on a different visa type, such as a tourist visa or an education visa.

It’s important to mention again that unless your company has secured a promotion from the Board of Investment, you can only hire foreign employees if the company meets both of the following conditions:

• A ratio of four Thai employees for every foreign employee.
• A paid capital of 2,000,000 baht for every foreign employee.

For obtaining a business visa, or non-b visa, you can approach any Thai Embassy outside Thailand. Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Singapore are popular countries for this purpose. 

Initially, a non-b visa grants a 90-day stay in Thailand. After arriving in Thailand with this visa, you can then apply for a work permit. 

Once the work permit is secured, you can extend the non-b visa to one or two years.

For a comprehensive guide on requirements, documentation, and procedures, read the following articles:

• An Expat’s Guide to Business and Work Visas in Thailand
• Want a Work Permit in Thailand? Here’s How to Do It

On a side note, you shouldn’t register a company for getting a visa. 

While it’s possible, the expense and hassle you need to deal with isn’t worth it. It’s better to look for alternatives such as the Privilege Visa or the Smart Visa which are cheaper than setting up and running a company for visa purposes. 

Getting Social Security

The process of registering a company in Thailand doesn’t end at the Department of Business Development. 

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You’ll also need to establish a social security account for your company. The good news is that your social security account is now automatically approved after successfully registering a company with the DBD.

However, every time you hire someone, including yourself, you must register them with your local Social Security office within 30 days. 

Conversely, when someone departs from the company, you need to notify your local Social Security office by the 15th of the following month. 

Payments to the Social Security office for all employees are due before the 15th of each month and can be made online on the Social Security website.

As an employer, you’re required to deduct social security from your employees’ salaries and match the amount, contributing both portions to the social security office. 

It amounts to 5% of an employee’s salary, capped at 750 baht per month. 

For instance, if an employee earns 15,000 baht, the total social security contribution is 1,500 baht (750 baht from the employee and 750 baht from the company).

Related article: The Comprehensive Guide to Social Security in Thailand for Foreigners.

VAT Registration

The VAT Registration is only required if your company exceeds THB1.8 million in annual revenue.

Therefore, if you anticipate your company’s revenue surpassing 1.8 million baht, it’s advisable to register right after establishing your company. 

The VAT registration should be completed at the Revenue Department in your vicinity within 30 days from the day your revenue reaches that threshold.

Please note that after you get a VAT registration, you need to file VAT within the 15th of every month.

Related article: How to Get a VAT Registration Certificate in Thailand as a Business Owner

Getting Other Licenses

The licenses your company needs will depend on its type of business. For instance, if you’re opening a restaurant, selling liquor, or playing music, you’ll require both an alcohol license and a music license. 

Operating a shipping company mandates an import and export license. If you’re importing food and drugs for sale in Thailand, you’ll need a license from the FDA.

Make sure you talk to your lawyer to get all the licenses you need and avoid any fines or problems later on. 

Hiring an accounting firm can also be a good move because they can make sure you have all the right forms filled out and they can even apply for you.

Such firms may request photocopies of your bank statement and a map pinpointing your company’s location. Once you’ve submitted the necessary documentation, you’ll need to wait for approval. 

The waiting period can differ based on the province, region, and type of license, so it’s essential to research this since Thai bureaucracy frequently updates processing times. 

Some licenses, like those for liquor and music, must be renewed annually, with fees ranging from 600 baht to 2,000 baht.

Opening Business Bank Accounts

You need a business bank account to manage your company finance.

Common banks for businesses in Thailand include Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank, and SCB. The differences between these banks are minimal, so choose the one that best fits your convenience. 

However, be aware that the bank branch where you open your account will be your primary point of contact for any account-related changes, such as updating your company address or obtaining a company credit card.

Paperwork for Opening a Business Bank Account

Here’s what you need:

• a copy of your company registration issued within the past six months
• a meeting notes (downloadable from the bank website)
• a signed passport of all of shareholders and authorized signers

Each bank’s website should list the necessary documents. It’s worth noting that document requirements can vary between bank branches. Don’t be surprised if a bank officer requests additional documents not listed on their site. 

Additionally, having a referral can be beneficial, as banks might be reluctant to open accounts for foreign business owners.

Online Banking

After opening your account, ask the bank to enable online banking – it will likely become your primary method for managing your finances. 

Some banks, like Bangkok Bank, offer a security token machine for accessing online banking, while others, such as Kasikorn Bank and Krung Thai Bank, use OTP.

Running Your Company

After you have set up your company, there are other important tasks you need to address as a business owner: 

Finding Office Spaces

When it comes to office spaces, you have three choices:

• serviced offices
• traditional offices
• virtual offices

A serviced office is the most expensive option. You can expect to pay 20,000 baht a month for a small room. However, it’s also the most convenient option since it comes with everything you need for running a business, including furniture, phone, and internet. 

Many serviced office providers also frequently include cleaning services and coffee in their packages. Serviced offices are also flexible, with contracts that can be as short as a week.

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On the other hand, traditional offices are more complicated and expensive to set up. You’ll need to invest in furniture, establish phone and internet accounts, and hire a maid and administrator to manage cleaning and other office tasks. 

But in the long run, it will be more affordable than serviced offices.

If your company doesn’t require a physical space, consider renting a virtual office. This option allows you to use the virtual office as your company’s address in Thailand. 

The virtual office provider will handle mail and other related services on your behalf.

Find out more:

• Serviced Offices in Bangkok: Prices, Benefits, and Locations
• The Ultimate Guide to Finding an Office for Rent in Bangkok
• Virtual Offices in Bangkok: Benefits, Prices, Locations

Buying Furniture and Equipment

If you’re renting a serviced office, you’ll likely only need a few office supplies, costing a few thousand baht. 

However, if you choose a traditional office, you’ll need to buy furniture, which averages around THB12,000 per workstation.

You can get everything you need for your office from OfficeMate. For furniture, take a look at IKEA. Also check out Makro, a wholesale store where you can stock up on supplies.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask to see their catalog. They have more low-priced goods in their showrooms.

Finding Employees

When hiring staff, you have several options. 

• Job websites: You can post job listings on websites like Jobdb, Jobthai, and Jobtopgun. They normally charges THB2000 – THB10,000 per job post. While these platforms are effective, a drawback is the potential influx of applications, sometimes receiving over a hundred in a day. 
• Recruitment Agencies: Recruitment agencies can assist you in finding, screening, and interviewing suitable candidates tailored to your organization’s needs. Typically, these agencies charge the equivalent of a three-month salary for the position they’re helping to fill. You can check recruitment agencies from this article to find out more.
• Linkedin: LinkedIn is particularly useful for recruiting foreign workers or managerial-level employees. 
• Personal Network: You can ask your friends or network regularly. You may be able to recruit some interesting persons without having to pay a fee.

Recruitment agencies are especially effective for managerial positions and above due to the significant commissions they earn. 

If a candidate doesn’t pass probation, many agencies will source a replacement without additional fees.

Salary

A significant advantage of running a business in Thailand is the relatively low cost of labor compared to Western countries. Expect to pay between 18,000 and 20,000 baht for a recent graduate. 

On average, salaries for Thai employees range from 30,000 to 40,000 baht monthly, with higher figures for managerial positions.

Since every business is unique, a practical approach to determining what you should pay your Thai employee is to explore job sites and see what other companies are offering for the position you’re looking to fill.

When hiring a foreign employee, the starting salary tends to be higher than that of Thai employees. Moreover, Thailand has set minimum salaries based on nationality.

Here’s a breakdown of those categories by nationality.

Minimum Monthly Wage	Worker’s Country of Origin
THB60,000	USA, Canada, and Japan
THB50,000	European countries, UK, and Australia
THB45,000	Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore
THB35,000	Eastern European countries, Asian countries, Central American countries, Mexico, South American countries, Turkey, Russia, and South Africa
THB25,000	African countries, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos

Employee Benefits

Beyond their salary, you can offer employees perks such as meals, drinks, and snacks. Group health insurance, while optional, can also be provided. 

Consider granting your staff a THB2,000 bonus during the Songkran festival or Thai New Year and providing housing allowances. These additional benefits, not mandated by Thai law, can incentivize and retain employees. 

Ensuring employees are compensated fairly is essential to prevent turnover and attract potential new hires.

Working Hours, Holidays, and Leaves

Standard working hours in Thailand are 8 hours on weekdays, typically from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with an hour for lunch. Following the impact of COVID-19, many companies adopted more flexible hours, allowing employees to start as late as 11 AM and conclude at 7 PM. 

This flexibility should be adapted to what’s best for your company.

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 13 holidays annually. A straightforward approach is to follow the bank holiday calendar, usually released between November and December.

Employees are granted 30 days of sick leave each year. It’s up to employers to set the parameters for this leave. For instance, you might require a medical certificate if an employee takes consecutive sick days.

Annual leave ranges from 5 to 30 days. Here’s what I use for my business based on tenure. 

• 1st year: 5 days
• 2nd year: 10 days
• 3rd year: 15 days
• 4th year and beyond: 20 days

Corporate Credit Card

Obtaining a company credit card is challenging. Most banks only offer credit once you have been operating for a few years. 

Some people manage to obtain company credit cards earlier, but they are typically unsecured credit cards, meaning you must deposit the entire credit amount in the bank as collateral. 

If you can’t secure a credit card for your company, consider applying for a personal credit card and using it for company expenses.

Paying Taxes

Another major operating responsibility is filing taxes. 

There are primarily two types of taxes for your company: 

• Corporate tax 
• VAT 

Corporate Rate

The corporate tax rate is fixed at 20%. 

If your company is a small company with a net profit ranging from 300,000 baht to 3,000,000 baht, the corporate tax rate will be 15% instead.

The company needs to file corporate tax two times a year.

VAT

VAT is calculated on sales of goods and services.

The current VAT rate is 7 percent. It’s only calculated on the difference between the price you buy the goods for and the price you sell the goods for.

Some types of company service income are subject to withholding tax or WHT. The company has to give withholding tax certificates for all transactions that fall under this category.

You must pay WHT to the Revenue Department every month. You can report WHT by paper before the seventh day of each month or by e-filing before the 15th day of each month.

Other Types of Taxes

Depending on your business, there might be other types of taxes. It’s best to consult with an accountant.  In addition, an accountant can handle these tax filings on your behalf.

Find out more

• Accounting: Taxes You Have to Deal with as a Business Owner in Thailand
• Thailand Business: Filing a P.P. 30 Value Added Tax (VAT) Return 
• Get the Right Company for Accounting Service in Bangkok, Thailand

Cost of Setting up a Company

You must ensure you have sufficient funds for the government fee and registered capital. 

The costs mentioned in this section don’t include the expenses associated with running a company in Thailand.

Government Fee

Various government fees apply when registering a company in Thailand. An estimated fee for a company with THB 1,500,000 registered capital ranges from THB10,000 to THB15,000. 

If your company has a higher registered capital, the government fee will increase accordingly.

Funds

Beyond the government fee, you must also cover the registered capital. 

Typically, this involves obtaining a financial certificate from a Thai bank where you hold an account. The balance on this certificate should surpass the value of the shares you intend to own in the company. 

The Department of Business Development in Thailand always requests this letter when a foreigner is a shareholder.

Agent Fees

Should you opt to employ an accountant or a lawyer to establish a company on your behalf, anticipate paying an additional THB20,000 to THB30,000 for a standard limited company. 

If it’s a BOI-promoted company, fees can reach between THB80,000 and THB100,000.

How to Keep the Company Active

After you set up a company, in addition to filing taxes regularly, you need to hire an accountant to prepare financial statements in order to file annual taxes by the end of May each year.

Once the financial statements are prepared, they need to be audited by an official auditor. In many cases, the accountant will work with the auditor directly.

After that, your accountant will submit the statements to all relevant organizations, such as the Department of Business Development and the Revenue Department.

Even if your company has zero transactions and business activity, annual tax filing is still required. The cost depends on the number of transactions and starts at a few thousand baht. In many cases, expect to pay around THB20,000 to THB30,000 per year for this.

Can I Register a Company in Thailand Myself?

Unless you can read and write Thai fluently, registering a company in Thailand yourself is very challenging. 

While the process itself is straightforward, the language barrier poses a significant obstacle. As mentioned earlier, most steps, including the forms you need to complete, are primarily in Thai. 

Thus, you have two options: 

• Get the help of a Thai partner or friend to assist with document preparation or 
• hire a lawyer to handle it

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for Registering a Company in Thailand? 

Typically, a lawyer charges between THB20,000 and THB30,000 to register a company in Thailand. However, the fee can vary based on the complexity of your business. 

This does not include government fees. If you want your company to be endorsed by the Board of Investment, legal fees will be higher, potentially exceeding THB100,000.

Do I Need All of the Paid Capital Funds?

If a foreigner is one of the company shareholders, all of the capital funds should be paid. It doesn’t always need to be cash or reflected in your bank balance. Any company expenses, such as rental contracts, can be included in the capital fund.

Since this part is quite sensitive, it’s best to consult with an accountant or a lawyer for more information.

Do I Need to Learn Thai? 

While it’s not mandatory, learning Thai can be incredibly beneficial. It facilitates management of Thai employees and fosters strong relationships with them. 

Additionally, it leaves a positive impression on your Thai partners and service providers. Engaging with other business owners can also offer insights or knowledge about the local market in which you operate. 

When learning Thai for business, it’s advantageous to find a private Thai tutor who can teach you the specific vocabulary relevant to your industry. 

This approach is much quicker than following a standard Thai course.

Now, on to You

Given all the steps outlined above, setting up a company in Thailand might seem daunting.

In reality, it has become easier over the years to establish a company here.

However, you should think carefully before launching a company in Thailand. It’s not for everyone, and the registration process is just the tip of the iceberg.

On the other hand, if you have a solid business plan and are eager to embark on your entrepreneurial journey in Thailand, go for it.

If you have any questions regarding to setting up a company below, please feel free to leave your comment below.