How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in Thailand? Ownership, Process and BOI
How Much Can Foreigners Own?
Under Thailand's Foreign Business Act, companies in restricted industries are limited to 49% foreign shareholding — the familiar "51% Thai / 49% foreign" structure. Most trading, services, and restaurant businesses fall on the restricted list. There are three legal routes to majority or 100% foreign ownership:
- BOI promotion (Board of Investment) — approved industries allow 100% foreign shareholding
- A Foreign Business License (FBL) — strict review, long timeline
- The US-Thai Treaty of Amity — available to US citizens only
Using Thai nominee shareholders to bypass the limit is illegal. Nominee agreements are not protected in Thai courts, and enforcement has been tightening — do not rely on this structure.
Basic Requirements for a Limited Company
- At least 2 promoters (relaxed from 3 since 2023)
- No statutory minimum registered capital, but each foreign employee's work permit requires 2 million THB of registered capital
- A registered address in Thailand
- At least 1 director with signing authority
Registration Process and Timeline
- Company name reservation (DBD online, 1-3 days)
- Prepare the articles of association, shareholder list, and registered address documents
- File the registration with the Department of Business Development (1-2 weeks when smooth)
- Tax registration; VAT registration is mandatory once expected revenue exceeds 1.8 million THB/year
- Open a corporate bank account
- If hiring foreign staff, proceed to Work Permit and Non-B visa applications
The full process usually takes 2-4 weeks, or 1-2 months including bank account opening and VAT registration.
Cost Reference
| Item | Fee (THB) |
|---|---|
| DBD registration fee | based on registered capital, from approx. 5,500 |
| Articles of association filing | from 500 |
| VAT registration | no official fee |
| Agency service fee (market rate) | approx. 15,000-40,000 |
| Registered address rental (if needed) | approx. 10,000-30,000/year |
Actual costs vary widely with registered capital, shareholder structure, and follow-on services — treat the above as a budgeting reference.
Who Should Consider the BOI Route?
The BOI promotes industries Thailand wants to grow: digital, smart manufacturing, biotech, regional headquarters, and more. Promoted companies enjoy:
- 100% foreign ownership
- Corporate income tax exemption for up to 8 years (13 in some categories)
- Relaxed work permit quotas — no "4 Thai employees per foreigner" rule
- Land ownership rights and easy profit repatriation
BOI applications require a business plan and a review process of roughly 2-4 months. It suits genuinely operating businesses with real investment — not shell companies holding a license.
Compliance After Registration
Registration is only the beginning. A Thai company must file withholding tax and VAT (if registered) monthly and produce an audited annual report — even with zero revenue. Prolonged non-filing accrues fines and jeopardizes the directors' visa renewals. See our accounting and tax service for details.
FAQ
Can I register a Thai company remotely from abroad?
Name reservation and document preparation can be done remotely, but some steps — bank account opening in particular — usually require the director in person. Plan one trip to Thailand to handle them together.
Does the registered capital have to be paid in?
At least 25% must be declared as paid up at registration. When foreign work permits or an FBL are involved, proof of funds is closely examined.
Is buying a shelf company safe?
Shelf companies carry hidden debt and tax risks. Always run due diligence — tax filing history and liabilities — before acquiring one. Don't skip this to save time.
Need Help?
TaiHuBang provides full company registration consulting: shareholding structure advice, BOI eligibility assessment, document preparation and registration agent coordination. See our company registration service, or submit an inquiry for a tailored proposal.