Set up a company in Thailand as a foreign founder: cost, time and ownership
The usual company type for a foreign founder in Thailand is the private limited company. Foreign ownership: A company becomes a foreign juristic person when foreigners hold 50% or more; it may then operate the 43 businesses listed in the Foreign Business Act only with permission. Minimum capital: THB 2,000,000 for a foreign-owned company in a business not on the Foreign Business Act lists; THB 3,000,000 per listed business.
The private limited company in Thailand, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | A foreign juristic person may invest in and hold shares in a limited company, but holding half or more makes it a foreign juristic person. | dbd.go.th |
| Restricted business lists | The Foreign Business Act lists 43 business types in 3 lists. | dbd.go.th |
| Minimum capital (unlisted business) | A foreign company in a business not on the Foreign Business Act lists needs minimum capital of at least THB 2,000,000. | dbd.go.th |
| Minimum capital (listed business) | A business on the Foreign Business Act lists needs at least THB 3,000,000 for each business. | dbd.go.th |
| Government fee | DBD says registration fees for a foreign juristic person are the same as for an ordinary one (amount not confirmed). | dbd.go.th |
| Time | DBD service standard for registering a partnership or limited company: 1 hour 25 minutes in total. | dbd.go.th |
| Online registration | Applications can be filed on paper (walk-in) or online (e-Registration). | dbd.go.th |
| Signing from abroad | Signatures made abroad can be certified by authorised officials of a Thai embassy or consulate, among others. | dbd.go.th |
| Registered local address | Register in the province where the head office is located, so the company needs a Thai head office. | dbd.go.th |
| Corporate income tax | Small companies: 15% on net profit from THB 300,000 to THB 3 million, 20% above; standard rate 20% of net profit. | rd.go.th |
| Small company definition | A small company has paid-up capital under THB 5 million at the end of each accounting period. | rd.go.th |
| Annual compliance | File the corporate income tax return (Form CIT 50) within 150 days of the accounting period's close. | rd.go.th |
Questions founders ask about Thailand
- Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Thailand?
- A company becomes a foreign juristic person when foreigners hold 50% or more; it may then operate the 43 businesses listed in the Foreign Business Act only with permission.
- What is the minimum capital for a company in Thailand?
- THB 2,000,000 for a foreign-owned company in a business not on the Foreign Business Act lists; THB 3,000,000 per listed business.
- How long does it take to register a company in Thailand?
- DBD service standard: 1 hour 25 minutes to register a partnership or limited company (after name reservation, 20 minutes).
- Can I register a company in Thailand from abroad?
- Paper (walk-in) or online e-Registration; signatures made abroad can be certified by Thai embassy or consulate officials.
- What is the corporate tax rate in Thailand?
- 20% of net profit; small companies (paid-up capital under THB 5 million) pay 15% on net profit from THB 300,000 to THB 3 million.
Other countries
Australia · Colombia · Cyprus · Estonia · Georgia · Hong Kong · Indonesia · Ireland · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Netherlands · Philippines · Portugal · Singapore · Spain · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom · Vietnam
To weigh the choice, read where to incorporate as a remote founder.
- Company type
- Private limited company (borisat chamkat), registered with the Department of Business Development (DBD)
- Foreign ownership
- A company becomes a foreign juristic person when foreigners hold 50% or more; it may then operate the 43 businesses listed in the Foreign Business Act only with permission
- Minimum capital
- THB 2,000,000 for a foreign-owned company in a business not on the Foreign Business Act lists; THB 3,000,000 per listed business
- Time to register
- DBD service standard: 1 hour 25 minutes to register a partnership or limited company (after name reservation, 20 minutes)
- Local director
- Not confirmed on DBD pages checked
- Register from abroad
- Paper (walk-in) or online e-Registration; signatures made abroad can be certified by Thai embassy or consulate officials
- Corporate tax
- 20% of net profit; small companies (paid-up capital under THB 5 million) pay 15% on net profit from THB 300,000 to THB 3 million
- Official page
- dbd.go.th
- Checked
Fees, capital rules and timings change. Check dbd.go.th before you register, and get a written quote from any agent you use. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.