Full guides: Setting up a Thai company · Non-B + work permit · SMART visa · LTR visa
Three reasons foreigners incorporate in Thailand
Operate business with work permit — Non-B visa tied to Thai company employment.
BOI promotion — 100% foreign ownership in targeted industries plus WP facilitation.
Structural/holding purposes — property, consulting, investment — each triggers different visa implications. Thai Limited Company default; BOI and US Treaty of Amity exceptions to 49% foreign cap.
Standard Thai Limited Company
Foreign Business Act limits foreign majority in most activities. Nominee shareholders illegal — DBD criminal enforcement. Real Thai partner or BOI/Treaty route required. Registered capital commonly ฿2,000,000 per foreign work permit plus 4 Thai employees per foreign WP (verify current DOE ratio).
BOI-promoted company advantages
- 100% foreign ownership in eligible activities (software, manufacturing, regional HQ)
- Work permit ratio relief in promoted zones
- SMART visa pathway for tech hires
- LTR-H for highly skilled at BOI firms
- Tax holidays activity-dependent — not automatic
Application 2–4 months; budget ฿80,000–250,000 specialist fees plus capital deposit.
Setup steps 2026
- Reserve company name at DBD
- Memorandum + articles matching WP activity
- Register capital — bank certificate for WP
- Tax ID within 60 days of operations
- Social security for Thai staff
- VAT if revenue exceeds ฿1.8M/year
- Non-B visa at embassy/immigration
- Work permit at DOE Chonburi for Pattaya companies
Visa linkage mistakes
Shell company with no activity — WP denial. Remote SaaS on inactive Thai company Non-B — non-compliant. Undercapitalised — ฿2M registered but ฿50K in bank on WP day rejected.
Annual compliance
Monthly accounting, payroll, VAT if registered, annual audit, AGM within 4 months of fiscal year end, WP renewal 60–90 days early. Budget ฿80,000–250,000/year outsourced accounting small foreign-led company.
Pattaya-specific
Chonburi DOE for WP; Jomtien for Non-B extension. Several formation accountants serve Jomtien/Pratumnak foreign founders — vet references; avoid nominee promises.
Company + visa scoping: Consult · WhatsApp +66 96 728 6999
Treaty of Amity (US citizens)
100% ownership most service sectors — separate from BOI. Formation then Treaty certification via US Commercial Service Bangkok. 2–3 months; ฿50,000–80,000 fees plus standard company setup. Popular Pattaya American consultants and hospitality investors.
Choosing between Pattaya and Bangkok registration
Most foreign-led companies serving Pattaya clients register in Chonburi or Bangkok. Bangkok DBD offices handle higher volume but Pattaya accountants coordinate remotely. EEC-zone BOI promotions may require specific geography — verify activity code before choosing registered address. A Pattaya condo address rarely suffices as company registered office — commercial address or virtual office with proper documentation required.
Director signatures and bank account
After registration, open company bank account — Thai banks require director presence, company documents, and sometimes minimum deposit matching registered capital. Foreign director without work permit yet may face KYC delays — plan 2–4 weeks for account active before WP application.
Work permit timing after incorporation
Company registration alone does not authorize work. Non-B visa and work permit follow incorporation — budget 6–10 weeks from company registration to legal work start. Operating before WP issued risks fine and company scrutiny. Pattaya restaurants and bars caught employing foreigners without WP in 2026 enforcement sweeps — company and employee both liable.