Initial steps for starting a business in Thailand

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Setting up a business in Thailand could be an intimidating project, but if you get it right, it could be an enjoyable and lucrative one. There’s a wealth of opportunity in the service and industrial sectors and in the import and export sector in general.

Thailand is the 2^ndlargest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia and acknowledged by the World Bank as one of the great development success stories in development and social indicators.

Here in this post, we have tried to break down the initial steps for starting a business in Thailand.

How to kick start a business in Thailand is a topic that is usually brought up by most of the travelers who have become enamored with the lifestyle they have experienced in Thailand. Many are unaware that most of the foreigners wanting to open a business in Thailand aren’t permitted to fully own any company; except for US citizens under the provisions of the US Treaty of Amity with Thailand. There are also legal boundaries and cultural differences that one needs to consider before planning to start a business in Thailand.

That said, having your own business in Thailand is not that hard as the country is extremely receptive to the foreign businesses and an exploding middle class with loads of disposable cash to spend.

Thailand offers great potential for a prosperous business if you:

Have a robust idea and realistic business plan
Have a sufficient supply of funds for starting your business
The inclination to understand the Thai culture, mentality, and open-mindedness

One should assess their goals and think through their plan. If one wishes and desires to open a business in Thailand with a limited supply of capital, then one must accept the fact that it may not make him/her a millionaire back home. Though, if the business is successful, one could look forward to having a comfortable living while relishing the beautiful life in Thailand.

How Much Money is Required to Start a Business in Thailand

There isn’t any magic figure. However, it is safe to say that the cost of starting a business in Thailand from start to finish would be cheaper than it would be in your home country. One needs to keep in mind that setting up a business in Bangkok would cost slightly more, particularly with respect to rent in prime localities which is comparatively higher than the rest of the country. However, it is also where you could find most of the clients as the bulk of the wealth resides in Bangkok.

Construction and manual labor are quite affordable. Once the business has started, depending on the business type of electricity, inventory, staff salaries, and water are much more affordable as compared to the western countries.

What is the law governing setting up a business?

Foreign business in the country is administrated by the Foreign Business Act, 1999. It is very important to understand the penalties for not adhering to the restrictions levied. Non-compliance can result in a three-year prison term together with a fine of between THB 100,000 – THB 1,000,000.

The Foreign Business Act,1999 recommends a range of business, industrial and commercial activities that may not be performed by the foreigners unless an exemption applies or a relevant license has been obtained.

It includes Thai registered companies where half or more of the capital is held by the non-Thai individuals, foreign companies or Thai registered companies which are majority foreign-owned.

There isn’t any general prohibition for foreigners running a business in the country. However, foreigners are not permitted to engage in the followings:

Newspaper publishing, radio or television broadcasting
Rice farming, arable farming or orchard farming
Rearing livestock
Forestry and the processing of wood from forests (naturally grown)
Fishery, only in relation to marine life in Thai waters and the specific economic zone
Extraction of Thai medicinal herbs
Trading and auctioning of Thai antiques or antiques which are of historical value to the country
Manufacture or casting of Buddha images and alms bowls
Trade-in real property

Learn more about The Foreign Business Act

What are the forms of the company one can choose?

Foreigners could choose from the following types of company:

Registered Ordinary or Limited Partnership
Limited Company
Representative Office, Branch Office or a Regional Office

Can one own 100% of a Thai company?

There is a long-standing rumor that a foreigner cannot own 100 percent of a Thai company. With the help of some of the methods which are time-consuming and where the outcomes are unpredictable, one could achieve 100 percent ownership.

There are 3 ways of achieving 100 percent ownership:

1. Obtain a Foreign Business License

A Foreign Business License (FBL) could be roughly understood as the Work Permit for the companies. Since foreigners in the country could only involve in specific occupations and need to have a Work Permit to be able to work, foreign companies could also operate only in the designated categories and require an FBL.

This way, the government controls the influx of foreign businesses into Thailand and protect the local business and the interests of Thai nationals.

2. Board of Investment Promotion

The Thailand Board of Investments or BOI is the division of the government of Thailand which promotes business projects and start-ups in areas that are deemed desirable for the economic stance of Thailand.

Read More about – The Thailand Board of Investments

3. Treaty of Amity

US-Thailand Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations is an agreement between Thailand and the USA which permits American entrepreneurs or companies for having full ownership or maintaining a majority of shareholding in a company in Thailand.

Read More – US Treaty of Amity

What type of visas are required for starting a Thai company?

For entering Thailand with the objective of starting a business in Thailand, one requires a non-immigrant ‘B’ (business visa). It would make the holder of such a visa legally eligible for conducting business activities in the country, and which includes the prospects of setting up a company in Thailand.

One could apply for this particular business visa for Thailand at the consulate in the home country or at the Royal Thai Embassy. The fee for a visa is THB 2,000 for single-entry with a validity of 3 months and THB 5,000 for multiple entries with a validity of one year.

Read More – Visa and Work Permit of Thailand

Can you hire foreigners for your business?

2 million Thai Baht would allow you to hire a foreign national, and an additional 2 million Baht would be required to employ another foreigner up to a maximum of 10 people.

It is also important to note that a company could employ 1 foreigner for every 5 million Thai Baht paid in tax.

Alternately a work permit under The Board of Investments is possible and relatively easy if the employer company already has the privileges.

Can you open a Thai bank account?

If one’s company is relatively small, then the bank might not offer a checking account when one first opens his/her company account. One might get only a savings account, where you could withdraw cash alone.

It is important to keep in mind that loans from local banks aren’t easily available. Getting loans from one’s overseas bank might be easier, even though one would be transferring money to Thailand.

What tax one needs to pay?

Corporate income tax is a direct tax imposed on the juristic company or partnership carrying out business in the country, or not carrying out business in the country,however, deriving specific types of income from the country.

The tax would be withheld on interest paid to foundations or associations at the rate of 10 percent.
Government agencies would withhold tax at the rate of 1 percent on income paid to the companies.
Royalties paid to the foundations or associations are subject to a 10 percent withholding tax.

Conclusion

Having an up-and-running business in the country as a foreigner is one of the best ways of enjoying Thailand and living abroad. The prospects for profits is high with the rising Thai middle class and youth ready to spend money.

If one is fully prepared, has completed the market research and understands the business plan along with an adequate supply of funds for starting up the business then the rewards are high for a successful business in the country.

Startup in Thailand, a part of Aditya Group, a startup and business consulting company based in Thailand, can assist you in setting up your business in Thailand.

Contact Startup in Thailand for an initial business consultation.

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