Company Registration in Thailand Made Simple
Thai incorporation is a web of paper-based hurdles. We handle the friction, from complex ownership structures to ministry registrations, so you can focus on the business.
We build the company foundation.
You start operating.
Settlr turns incorporation into a managed workflow: entity strategy, shareholder documents, registrations, tax IDs, banking readiness, and post-launch compliance.
Entity setup, fully managed
We prepare the structure, names, shareholder files, director paperwork, and ministry submissions needed to make the entity real.
Ownership and license strategy
We map your foreign ownership route, BOI eligibility, restricted activities, capital needs, and nominee-risk exposure before filings begin.
Document control
Passports, shareholder lists, affidavits, addresses, translations, and signatures are tracked in one clean operating dossier.
Registrations
Company registration, tax ID, VAT, social security, and operating registrations are sequenced without guesswork.
Structure Your Success
Choosing the right legal entity is critical. Compare structures based on ownership rights, tax obligations, and operational flexibility.
BOI Promoted Entity
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Up to 8 years Tax Holiday
- Expedited Visa Processing
Currency Repatriation
The legal right to easily remit foreign currency abroad.
Land Ownership
Permission to own land for the registered business operation.
Premium status for technology, high-value manufacturing, and services export.
Thai Limited Company
Foreign Business License (FBL)
Branch Office
Direct extension of foreign parent. Ideal for specific localized contracts.
Representative Office
Strictly non-revenue generating. Used for market research.
Company registration process in Thailand
Every Thai Limited Company follows the same six-stage path through the Department of Business Development (DBD). Settlr manages each stage so nothing stalls waiting on a signature or a queue number.
- 01
Reserve the company name
1 - 2 daysSubmit up to three proposed names to the DBD's online name reservation system. Approved names are held for 30 days while the rest of the filing is prepared.
- 02
Draft the Memorandum of Association
1 - 2 daysDefine registered capital, objectives, and the initial promoter list. This becomes the founding legal document filed alongside the name reservation.
- 03
Hold the statutory meeting
1 dayShareholders formally adopt the company regulations, appoint directors, and approve the share allotment in a documented statutory meeting.
- 04
File registration with the DBD
1 - 3 daysDirectors submit the full registration package, including shareholder list, director signatures, and registered office details, for DBD approval.
- 05
Register for Tax ID and VAT
2 - 5 daysObtain the corporate tax identification number from the Revenue Department, and register for VAT if projected revenue will exceed 1.8M THB per year.
- 06
Open a corporate bank account
1 - 2 weeksBanks require the full DBD registration certificate, company seal, and director identification before opening a corporate account and releasing capital.
Compare Thai entity types side by side
Five structures cover almost every foreign and Thai founder scenario. This table summarizes ownership limits, capital requirements, and timelines so you can shortlist before your consultation.
| Entity | Foreign ownership | Minimum capital | Setup time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Limited Company | Up to 49% (100% for Thai founders) | No statutory minimum; 2M THB per foreign work permit | 7 - 14 business days | Most SMEs, service businesses, and Thai-majority ventures |
| BOI Promoted Company | Up to 100% | Set by promotion certificate, typically 1M THB+ | 60 - 90 days including promotion approval | Technology, manufacturing, and export-oriented activities |
| US Treaty of Amity Company | Up to 100% (US citizens/companies only) | 2M THB per foreign work permit | 4 - 6 weeks including certification | American founders avoiding the 49% cap without BOI |
| Foreign Business License (FBL) | Up to 100% | 3M THB minimum | 4 - 6 months | Restricted activities that need explicit government approval |
| Branch Office | 100% (extension of foreign parent) | 3M THB minimum | 2 - 4 months | Executing specific contracts under the parent company's name |
| Representative Office | 100% (non-revenue generating) | 2M THB minimum | 6 - 8 weeks | Market research and liaison activity with no local sales |
Document pack
Documents checklist for Thai company registration
Gather these before your first call with Settlr to shave days off your timeline.
For every founder and director
- Passport copy (foreign nationals) or Thai ID card copy
- Proof of current residential address
- Signature specimen on the DBD application forms
For the company
- Three proposed company names, in order of preference
- Registered office address in Thailand with landlord consent
- Business objectives and planned activities (for TSIC coding)
- Shareholder structure and share allocation percentages
If applying for BOI, FBL, or Treaty of Amity
- Business plan and financial projections for the promoted activity
- Parent company documents and certificate of incorporation (for branches)
- Evidence of nationality for Treaty of Amity certification (US citizens)
Registering a company as a Thai founder
When every shareholder is a Thai national, the foreign ownership rules, 49% caps, and work permit ratios simply do not apply. The DBD filing is the same core process, but faster and lighter on documentation.
No foreign ownership cap
Thai-majority and fully Thai-owned companies can structure share allocation freely, without the 49% foreign shareholding limit that applies to foreign investors.
No minimum capital tied to work permits
The 2M THB per work permit rule only applies when the company plans to sponsor foreign employees. A Thai-only company can register with registered capital as low as required for the business activity.
Faster DBD turnaround
Filings without foreign shareholder documentation, translations, or notarization typically clear DBD review in 7 to 10 business days.
Same access to BOI and SME support
Thai-owned SMEs still qualify for BOI promotion where relevant, the SME corporate tax rate (0% on the first 300,000 THB of profit), and government SME support schemes.
Operational Excellence
How we handle the complexity. Our structured approach minimizes friction and accelerates your path to market.
The Regulatory Buffer
We shield you from government bureaucracy and physical paper queues. Our local experts navigate the nuances of the Ministry of Commerce and Revenue Department on your behalf, ensuring compliant and timely submissions.
Digital Dossier
We manage all director and shareholder documents in a secure, verified environment. Say goodbye to scattered emails and lost physical copies. Your corporate record is organized, accessible, and ready for regulatory review.
Operational Readiness
We go beyond simple incorporation. Our team ensures you are truly ready to do business, handling post-registration essentials like non-immigrant visas, corporate banking setup, and social security registration.
Questions
Before you incorporate
Does Settlr work with Thai nationals and Thai owned companies?
Yes. Settlr serves Thai entrepreneurs registering their first company, Thai owned SMEs that want payroll, accounting, tax or legal support handled by one team, and foreign owned businesses alike. The process for Thai founders is simpler because foreign ownership rules do not apply, and our team handles the full DBD registration either way.
Can a foreigner own 100 percent of a company in Thailand?
Yes, in specific cases. Full foreign ownership is possible through BOI promotion, a Foreign Business License, or the US Treaty of Amity for American citizens. Outside these routes, foreign shareholding in a standard Thai Limited Company is capped at 49 percent. Settlr assesses which route fits your activity before you commit to a structure.
How long does it take to register a company in Thailand?
A standard Thai Limited Company is typically registered within 7 to 14 business days once all documents are complete. BOI promoted companies take longer, usually 60 to 90 days including promotion approval. Settlr prepares your Memorandum of Association, shareholder structure and all DBD filings so nothing stalls the timeline.
What documents do I need to register a Thai company?
You need passport copies of directors and shareholders, the company name reservation, registered office address in Thailand, the Memorandum of Association, share structure details, and director signatures on the DBD application forms. Settlr prepares every document and files with the Department of Business Development on your behalf.
What is the minimum capital requirement for a foreign owned company?
Plan for 2 million THB of registered capital per foreign work permit you need, and 3 million THB if the company operates under a Foreign Business License. BOI promoted companies follow the capital stated in their promotion. Capital does not need to sit untouched in a bank account, but it must be properly documented.