From company registration to compliance support and legal services, SVBL provides everything you need to launch and grow your business—all in one place
For business owners starting in Thailand
Setting up or running a company in Thailand involves meeting many requirements. From entity registration and licenses to HR compliance and reporting, SVBL brings everything together in one place so your business stays compliant and ready to grow.
We cover everything you need to start and manage your business in Thailand.
Set up your Thai company the right way
Apply for BOI privileges with expert guidance
Stay compliant with clear, accurate reporting
Manage payroll and HR with full compliance
Maintain company records and required filings
Hire in Thailand without a local entity
Get practical legal advice for your business
Book a free consultation so you can tell us about your business needs.
We make it simple to start and manage your business in Thailand. Our team follows a clear, transparent process so every step is organized, compliant, and easy to follow.
Speak with our experts to tell us about your goals and business requirements. We assess your structure, ownership options, and the best legal approach for your situation.
Our team prepares and reviews all required documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance before submission.
We handle company registration, filings, and coordination with Thai authorities, keeping you informed along the way.
Once your business is set up, we continue to support you with accounting, payroll, and legal maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.
From company setup to legal advisory, SVBL provides coordinated expertise that keeps your business structured, compliant, and ready to grow.
Expert support to help you establish your business
Starting a business in Thailand requires the right structure and accurate documentation. SVBL helps you register your company efficiently and stay compliant, so you can focus on growing your operations.
Professional support to help you obtain BOI certification
Obtaining Board of Investment certification can unlock valuable advantages for your business in Thailand. SVBL guides you through the entire application process, ensuring your business structure, documents, and submissions meet BOI requirements for approval and long-term compliance.
Accurate accounting and reporting you can rely on
Financial compliance in Thailand requires consistency, accuracy, and local expertise. SVBL provides complete accounting and tax support so your business remains in good standing, highly organized, and ready for financial review at any time.
Reliable payroll and HR support for any size team
Managing payroll in Thailand involves strict timelines and detailed compliance with labour regulations. SVBL helps you handle payroll, benefits, and employee records accurately so your team stays satisfied and your company remains fully compliant.
Keeping your company organized, compliant, and in good standing
Ongoing compliance is vital to maintaining a company’s legal status in Thailand. SVBL manages essential filings, licenses, and documentation to ensure your business meets regulatory requirements and avoids unnecessary penalties.
Hire and manage staff in Thailand with confidence
Expanding into Thailand doesn’t always require a local entity. SVBL provides the compliant framework to hire locally, managing all payroll and benefits while you retain complete management of your team’s day-to-day activities.
Practical legal guidance for every stage of your business
Being successful in Thailand requires clarity and up-to-date legal knowledge. SVBL provides expert counsel on business law and compliance, helping you make informed decisions and protect your company’s long-term interests.
Decades of Thai business & compliance expertise
Our clients choose SVBL for clear guidance, reliable coordination, and practical expertise that keeps their business running smoothly.
Over a decade of experience in business setup, compliance, and corporate services.
Clear timelines and pricing so you always know what to expect.
Seamless communication with government offices and trusted local partners.
Step-by-step guidance from consultation to full operational readiness.
Trusted by growing companies and founders
Our corporate clients trust SVBL to make company setup and compliance simple and reliable. We have supported clients from 40+ countries building their presence in Thailand.
It’s been a real pleasure. Big thanks for making everything so clear and smooth throughout the process. Communication was quick and exactly as we hoped. It truly felt like we were ‘susu’ together! We appreciate your patience and will absolutely recommend SVBL to others.
Find quick answers to some of the most common questions we hear from clients about business services in Thailand.
Under current Thai law, a private limited company requires a minimum of two shareholders at all times.
Standard company registration typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, provided all documentation and office address details are ready.
While there is no legal minimum for a “Thai majority” company, the registered capital should be high enough to demonstrate the company’s accountability. If you intend to hire a foreign employee and obtain a work permit for a foreign employee, we recommend at least 2 million THB in registered capital.
At the time of registration or within the first financial year, a minimum of 25% of the registered capital must be paid up. The remaining 75% can be called by the Board of Directors at any time in the future.
No. Registration is only mandatory once your annual turnover exceeds 1.8 million THB. However, many companies choose to register voluntarily before reaching this limit to:
Basic requirements for a company in operation are:
By default, the Foreign Business Act (FBA) restricts foreign ownership to 49%. However, 100% ownership is possible through specific channels such as BOI promotion, a Foreign Business License (FBL), or the US-Thai Treaty of Amity.
A company is considered “Foreign” if 50% or more of its shares are held by non-Thai individuals or entities. If Thais hold at least 51%, it is a “Thai” company and faces fewer restricted activities.
The BOI offers significant incentives, for example: 100% foreign ownership, exemptions from corporate income tax (up to 13 years for certain sectors), and eased requirements for foreign work permits (no 4:1 Thai-to-foreigner ratio).
Not all businesses are eligible for BOI promotions. Eligibility depends on your industry, business scope, business process and more. The BOI prioritizes sectors like technology, manufacturing, green energy, and high-value services. Contact us for a preliminary eligibility check.
The BOI approval process begins with the online submission of a detailed investment project application, followed by a mandatory project presentation or interview with BOI officials within 10 working days to clarify the business plan. The project then undergoes an evaluation period—typically lasting 40, 60, or 90 working days depending on the investment size—after which the applicant is notified of the resolution and must formally accept the promotion within 30 days. Once accepted, the investor has six months to fulfill final conditions, such as company registration and capital injection, to receive the official Promotion Certificate and begin utilizing the tax and non-tax incentives.
On average, expect 4 to 6 months from the initial submission to receiving your Promotion Certificate. The timeline varies based on the complexity of your business category.
To maintain your BOI status, you must adhere to a strict compliance schedule that includes submitting semi-annual progress reports (every February and July) and an annual performance report (by July 31st) via the BOI’s e-Monitoring system.
Operationally, you are required to meet specific “project clocks,” such as importing approved machinery within 30 months and reaching full operation status—which includes completing construction and machinery installation—within 36 months of receiving your certificate. Failure to meet these reporting deadlines or operational milestones can lead to a suspension of benefits or the retroactive revocation of your tax exemptions.
BOI promotion is tied to a specific project and activity. If you wish to pivot or add new services, you must apply for a Project Amendment or a new promotion category.
A Foreign Business License is a permit granted by the Ministry of Commerce that allows a foreign-owned company (over 50% foreign shares) to operate in sectors normally reserved for Thais under List 2 or List 3 of the FBA.
The application process is rigorous and can take 4 to 6 months. Approval is discretionary and based on how your business benefits the Thai economy (e.g., technology transfer or high capital investment).
To qualify for a Foreign Business License, a company must have a minimum registered capital of 3 million THB for restricted businesses (or 2 million THB for general activities), which must be fully paid up and brought into Thailand from overseas. Crucially, the business must demonstrate that its operations will provide a clear benefit to Thailand through technology transfer, the creation of local jobs, or the introduction of specialized expertise that Thai nationals are not yet ready to provide.
It begins with the submission of a comprehensive application to the Department of Business Development (DBD), featuring a detailed three-year business plan and financial projections. Once the DBD officer is satisfied with the documentation, the application is forwarded to the Foreign Business Committee, which reviews the project’s impact on national security, local competition, and economic development.
If the Committee grants approval, the Director-General issues the license within 15 days; however, if rejected, the applicant has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Minister of Commerce.
Once an FBL is granted, the company must maintain ongoing compliance by adhering to a specific debt-to-equity ratio (usually not exceeding 7:1) and ensuring the minimum capital remains within the country.
The license holder is required to submit regular reports to the Ministry of Commerce, including audited financial statements and updates on business activities to prove they are operating strictly within the approved scope of the license.
Any change in business address, directors, or the nature of the business must be reported promptly, as failure to comply with these conditions or the “technology transfer” promises made during the application can lead to heavy fines or the permanent revocation of the license.
The Treaty of Amity allows US citizens and US companies to maintain majority or 100% ownership of a Thai company while being treated as a “Thai” entity for most business activities.
The process for establishing an Amity company is a structured three-step journey that typically takes 10 to 15 weeks to complete.
First, you must register a standard Thai Limited Company with the Department of Business Development (DBD), ensuring the structure meets treaty requirements, such as having at least 51% US ownership and a majority of US or Thai directors.
Second, you must apply for a “Letter of Certification” from the US Commercial Service at the US Embassy in Bangkok to verify the American nationality of the shareholders and directors.
Finally, this certification is submitted to the Thai Ministry of Commerce to obtain a Foreign Business Certificate (FBC), which officially grants the company “National Treatment,” allowing it to operate with 100% US ownership in most sectors.
If US-owned shares in an Amity company are sold to a non-US citizen (third-country national) such that the US shareholding falls below the mandatory 51% threshold, the company immediately loses its Treaty protection. Because the company is no longer majority US-owned, it can no longer claim “National Treatment” and will be reclassified as a standard foreign entity under the Foreign Business Act (FBA). This transition often forces the company to immediately cease restricted business activities or undergo the rigorous and uncertain process of applying for a Foreign Business License (FBL) to continue operations legally. To avoid this, any share transfer must be carefully managed to ensure that US or Thai nationals retain majority control and directorship at all times.
No. Using “nominees”—Thai nationals who hold shares on behalf of a foreigner without making a real investment or having a genuine interest in the business—is strictly illegal.
The Department of Business Development (DBD) has significantly increased scrutiny. If a nominee structure is discovered, it can lead to heavy fines, imprisonment for both the foreigner and the Thai partner, and the forced dissolution of the company.
If you don’t see your question here, our team is ready to help with personalized advice.
