Company Registration

We expertly handle the legal and structural details of company registration, from incorporation to tax considerations, ensuring a seamless setup for your entity in Thailand.

Are you looking to expand in to Thailand? A private limited company stands out as the prevalent business structure favored by international enterprises aiming to establish a footprint in Thailand. MSA Asia can advise on the different Thailand company registration options available to your business, and which might best suit your circumstances.

Thailand Company Registration Services

MSA can support your business with each stage of the company registration process.

Company Name Reservation: Company registration begins with reserving a name with the Department of Business Development (DBD). The name, registered in both English and Thai, has restrictions, including not being too similar to existing names: Certain words are prohibited, and “Thailand” must be bracketed at the end. We recommend providing three prioritized name choices, and that businesses recognize their trading name can differ. Approved names are valid for 30 days, without extension, before the next registration step.
Application Document Preparation: To register your company, we’ll first gather your company details, prepare documents, obtain your signature, and submit to the DBD. To do this, we need the proposed company name, registered office province, business objectives, share capital amount, details of at least two individual promoters (names, addresses, occupations, signatures, shareholdings), director information (name, address, signing authority), registered and branch office addresses, and personal/company details of ultimate shareholders.
Company Registration: The processing duration varies based on your business specifics. Upon completion, you’ll receive registration documents and a company/tax ID. The registration fee for a private limited company is THB 5,500 per million THB of registered capital.
Opening Bank Account: Following official registration, MSA can support companies to establish a corporate bank account and access internet banking. To open the account, details such as the preferred bank and branch, required account types, and authorized signatories are necessary. Both the company and its Memorandum of Association must be registered with the registrar at the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, adhering to the prescribed documentation and conditions.
Registration Corporate Income Tax and VAT: Upon company registration, you must obtain a corporate tax ID card from the Revenue Department within 60 days of incorporation or operation commencement. VAT registration is necessary if you employ foreigners or exceed an annual revenue of 1.8 million THB. For VAT registration, we will require documents from the property owner and a copy of the lease agreement.
Social Fund Registration: All full-time employees, Thai or foreign, must be registered at the Social Security Office to access social security benefits. This registration is mandatory.
Business Licence Application: Depending on the industry, a specific business license may be necessary. We can assist you in verifying the requirements and securing all relevant licenses for your operations. Specifically, for majority-foreign owned businesses in Thailand, we can facilitate the acquisition of the mandatory Foreign Business License.

Benefits of MSA’s Thailand Company Registration Services

Accelerated Market Entry: We expedite the often lengthy registration process, allowing you to commence operations in Thailand faster than if you were to handle it independently.
Seamless End-to-End Solutions: From initial name reservation to obtaining your tax ID and beyond, we provide comprehensive support, eliminating the need to engage multiple parties and simplifying the entire process.
Local Expertise, Global Perspective: Our team combines in-depth knowledge of Thai business practices and regulations with an understanding of international business needs, offering tailored solutions for foreign investors.
Dedicated Support & Communication: You’ll have a dedicated point of contact who will guide you through every step, providing clear communication and timely updates throughout the registration journey.
Multilingual Capabilities: Our ability to handle documentation and communication in English, Thai, and other languages ensures clarity and avoids misunderstandings.

Gaining 100% Foreign Business Ownership in Thailand

Thailand’s Foreign Business Act generally restricts foreign ownership in Thai companies to 49%. However, foreign investors seeking majority or full control have several avenues. One option is to obtain a Foreign Business License, which permits operation in specific sectors upon approval from the Foreign Business Committee. Another path is to seek promotion from the Board of Investment (BOI), which supports beneficial businesses with incentives like tax exemptions and allows for 100% foreign ownership, contingent on meeting eligibility criteria and presenting an investment project. Additionally, the US Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations provides American companies with national treatment, exempting them from many FBA limitations. For businesses navigating these regulations, MSA Asia offers a range of services including formation, accounting, tax, HR, and advisory support in Thailand.

Thai Limited Company vs Other Entities

A Thai private limited company (Co., Ltd.) arguably gives entrepreneurs the best blend of protection and flexibility: shareholders’ liability stops at any unpaid share capital, the entity can issue or transfer shares to raise funds, and—unlike a sole proprietorship or ordinary partnership—it qualifies for work-permit quotas, long-term leases, and, through Board of Investment (BOI) promotion or a Foreign Business Licence, even majority foreign ownership. By contrast, structures that leave owners personally exposed or make it hard to attract capital rarely satisfy banks, suppliers, or skilled expatriates, which is why the Co., Ltd. remains the default vehicle for most domestic and foreign ventures.

Other Thai legal forms include:

Public Company Limited (PLC): can raise funds from the public and enjoy BOI incentives, but faces higher capital, governance, and reporting burdens.
Registered Limited Partnership: gives limited liability only to passive partners and still needs at least one partner with unlimited liability.
Ordinary Partnership / Sole Proprietorship: simplest to form, yet owners are fully liable and have scant credibility with lenders or immigration authorities.
Branch Office: allows a foreign parent to trade locally without Thai equity, but activities are tightly scoped and losses flow back to head-office accounts.
Representative Office: restricted to non-revenue functions (e.g., market research, quality control) and thus unsuitable for commercial operations.

Engage MSA for Thai Company Registration Today

MSA are seasoned Thailand expansion experts, capable of guiding you through each step of the company and business registration process. We can guide you on which kind of company/entity is right for you, and ensure that your new entity is operational as quickly as possible, in full compliance with the law.

To find out more about registering a company in Thailand, get in touch with our Thai expansion experts.

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