🇹🇭 Thailand · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
Companies register with the Department of Business Development (DBD); a Thai limited company is common. The Foreign Business Act restricts foreign majority ownership in many sectors, though BOI promotion or the US Treaty of Amity can allow more.
Companies in Thailand register with the Department of Business Development (DBD); a Thai private limited company is common. Foreign ownership may be restricted under the Foreign Business Act.
- Companies register with the DBD; a private limited company is the usual form.
- The Foreign Business Act restricts foreign majority ownership in many sectors.
- BOI promotion or specific licences can allow greater foreign ownership.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose the company type
The private limited company is the standard vehicle and needs at least two shareholders. Many activities restrict foreign majority ownership under the Foreign Business Act — BOI promotion, or the Treaty of Amity for US nationals, can allow it.
- 2
Reserve the company name
Reserve the company name with the Department of Business Development (DBD) under the Ministry of Commerce.
- 3
File the memorandum of association
File the memorandum of association (MOA) with the DBD, setting the registered capital, objectives and promoters.
- 4
Hold the statutory meeting
Hold the statutory meeting to adopt the articles of association, appoint the directors and an auditor, and allot the shares.
- 5
Register the company with the DBD
Register the company with the DBD (often same-day, in person or online); you receive the registration certificate and a company number.
- 6
Complete tax and employer registration
Obtain the corporate tax ID and register for VAT with the Revenue Department if turnover exceeds THB 1.8 million; register employees with the Social Security Office and open a corporate bank account.
Checklist
- Company type chosen (private limited company)
- At least two shareholders
- Foreign Business Act / BOI / Treaty of Amity checked for foreign ownership
- Company name reserved (DBD)
- Memorandum of association (MOA)
- Statutory meeting (directors, auditor, shares)
- DBD registration certificate
- Tax ID + VAT (turnover > THB 1.8M) + Social Security
Official authorities
- Department of Business Development (DBD)
Company registration authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Thai company?
In many sectors no — the Foreign Business Act caps foreign ownership; BOI promotion, certain licences, or the US-Thai Treaty of Amity can permit majority or full ownership.
What company type is standard?
A private limited company is the usual form, requiring at least the minimum number of shareholders.
Does a company help with a work permit?
Yes — a properly capitalised company with Thai employees is often needed to sponsor a foreigner's work permit.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Royal Thai Government — Official portal of the Royal Thai Government
- Thai Immigration Bureau — Visas, 90-day reporting, and re-entry permits
- Revenue Department — Thai personal income tax and VAT
- Board of Investment (BOI) — Foreign-investment incentives and the LTR long-term visa