The Complete Pillar Guide
Thailand Business Setup Guide: Entities, Timeline, and Costs
Everything a foreign or Thai founder needs to register and launch a company in Thailand: which entity fits your ownership plan, how long registration actually takes, what it costs end to end, and the documents you need before you start.
Compare Thailand entity types
The right entity depends on your ownership target, activity, and how quickly you need to be operational. Most foreign founders choose between a Thai Limited Company, a BOI-promoted company, or Foreign Business License structure.
| Entity | Foreign ownership | Min. capital | Setup time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Limited Company | Up to 49% (majority Thai) unless BOI/Amity applies | THB 2M for a foreign work permit | 1 hr 25 min DBD registration (official, complete documents; 2 working days if another agency must approve); 14–21 days with preparation (our estimate) | Local trading, services, joint ventures with a Thai partner |
| BOI-Promoted Company | Up to 100% in eligible activities | Varies by activity, typically THB 1–2M | 40–90 working days BOI review (official), then certificate in 10 working days | Tech, manufacturing, BCG, and other promoted industries |
| Foreign Business License (FBL) | Up to 100% for restricted activities | THB 3M per restricted activity | 60-day official decision period (FBA s.17), then licence within 15 days | Restricted-list services without BOI or treaty coverage |
| US Treaty of Amity Company | 100% for US nationals/majority-US companies | THB 2M paid-up capital per work permit | DBD certificate within 30 days (FBA s.11) | US citizens and US-majority companies avoiding FBA limits |
| Representative Office | 100% (non-revenue generating) | THB 2M capital inflow requirement | 4–6 weeks | Market research, quality control, sourcing liaison only |
| Branch Office | 100% of the foreign parent | THB 3M for restricted activities | 2–4 months | Foreign companies delivering contracted services in Thailand |
Thai Limited Company
BOI-Promoted Company
Foreign Business License (FBL)
US Treaty of Amity Company
Representative Office
Branch Office
The Thai Limited Company registration timeline
A standard Thai Limited Company with a foreign shareholder moves through five stages. BOI and FBL routes add an approval stage before registration. The day ranges below are Settlr's typical estimates, not official figures; DBD's published service time for the registration itself is 1 hour 25 minutes once documents are complete, or 2 working days if another agency must approve.
Reserve your company name with the Department of Business Development (DBD). Names are held for 30 days once approved.
File the MOA covering company name, registered address, objectives, capital, and founding shareholders.
Shareholders adopt the articles of association, appoint directors and auditors, and approve share allotments.
Directors file for registration within 3 months of the statutory meeting. This is the point your company legally exists.
Your DBD registration number is also your corporate tax ID with the Revenue Department, so no separate tax ID application is needed. Apply for VAT if turnover requires it, and open a corporate bank account.
BOI's official review time is 40, 60 or 90 working days depending on investment size (up to THB 200 million, up to THB 2,000 million, or above), counted from submission of complete documents. After approval you confirm acceptance within 1 month, and BOI issues the promotion certificate within 10 working days of receiving the complete certificate documents. Under Foreign Business Act section 17, the Director-General (List 3, with Foreign Business Commission approval) or the Cabinet (List 2) must decide within 60 days of the application being filed, and the licence is issued within 15 days of approval. The Cabinet can extend its 60 days by up to another 60. Practical end-to-end timelines run longer once document preparation and company registration are included; this is not an official figure.
What Thailand company registration actually costs
Government fees are fixed and predictable. Legal, accounting, and compliance costs vary by structure and complexity — budget for the full first year, not just registration day.
- DBD registration feesTHB 5,500
Flat fees: THB 500 to register the Memorandum of Association and THB 5,000 to register the limited company. Add THB 200 stamp duty on the Memorandum (and THB 200 on articles of association, if used), plus THB 100 per certificate of registration, THB 40 per certificate of particulars item and THB 50 per certified page. See the full table on Company Incorporation.
- Company seal, forms, notarizationTHB 2,000–5,000
One-time administrative costs at registration.
- Legal & registration service feeTHB 25,000–60,000
Covers document drafting, DBD filing, and registered address support.
- Work permit & visa (per foreign director)THB 20,000–35,000
Non-B visa plus work permit application and renewal support.
- Monthly accounting & tax filingTHB 8,000–25,000/month
Depends on transaction volume, VAT registration, and payroll headcount.
- Annual audit & financial statementsTHB 20,000–45,000/year
Mandatory for every Thai-registered company regardless of size.
Document checklist before you start
Gather these before your first filing appointment to avoid delays.
- Passport copies for all foreign shareholders and directors
- Thai national ID or passport copies for Thai shareholders
- Proof of registered office address (lease agreement or ownership deed)
- Company name options (3 alternatives for DBD reservation)
- Business objectives and planned activities, in Thai
- Shareholder list with shareholding percentages and share values
- Director signatures and specimen signature forms
- Bank reference letter if opening a corporate account immediately
- BOI application form and business plan (BOI route only)
- Capital remittance evidence (Amity and FBL routes)
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to register a company in Thailand?
DBD's published service time for registering a standard Thai Limited Company (Memorandum of Association and company together) is 1 hour 25 minutes once the registrar has confirmed the documents are complete, 2 working days if another agency must approve, or 37 working days if the registration is opposed. In our experience, Settlr typically completes registration of a company with a foreign minority shareholder in 14–21 days once documents are ready; this is our estimate, not an official figure. BOI-promoted companies need BOI approval, with an official review time of 40, 60 or 90 working days depending on investment size, counted from complete documents. Foreign Business Licence applications have a 60-day official decision period under section 17 of the Foreign Business Act, with the licence issued within 15 days of approval. Practical end-to-end timelines run longer once document preparation and company registration are included; this is not an official figure.
Can foreigners own 100% of a Thai company?
Yes, in three main routes: BOI promotion for eligible activities, a Foreign Business License for restricted activities, or the US Treaty of Amity for American nationals and US-majority companies. Outside these routes, foreign ownership is generally capped at 49%.
What is the minimum capital to register a company in Thailand?
There is no statutory minimum for a Thai Limited Company itself, but THB 2 million in paid-up capital is required to sponsor one foreign work permit, and Foreign Business License activities require THB 3 million per licensed activity.
Do I need a Thai partner to start a business in Thailand?
Not necessarily. You need a Thai partner only if you are staying under the standard 49% foreign ownership cap. BOI promotion, Foreign Business License, and the US Treaty of Amity all allow 100% foreign ownership without a Thai shareholder.
What ongoing compliance is required after incorporation?
Every Thai company must file monthly withholding tax and VAT (if registered), pay Social Security Fund contributions if it has employees, hold an annual general meeting, and submit audited financial statements and corporate income tax returns annually.
Ready to register yourThailand company?
Settlr Global handles entity selection, DBD registration, tax ID setup, and your first year of compliance from one team — so you can focus on operating, not paperwork.