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Under Thailand's Foreign Business Act, most business activities restrict foreign ownership to 49%, requiring a Thai partner or shareholders to hold the remaining 51%. However, full 100% foreign ownership is achievable through two main routes: obtaining BOI (Board of Investment) promotion for qualifying industries, or registering under the US-Thailand Treaty of Amity (for American nationals). Additionally, certain businesses operating in BOI-promoted zones or within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) may qualify for full foreign ownership. Relocation Network will assess your business model and identify the most appropriate and legally sound ownership structure for your specific situation.

For a standard Thai Limited Company, the minimum registered capital is 1 million Thai Baht per foreign work permit holder, although there is no general statutory minimum for a Thai-majority company in most industries. If your business falls under the Foreign Business Act and requires a Foreign Business License, you will need a minimum of 3 million Baht. For companies applying for BOI privileges, capital requirements vary depending on the promoted activity and investment scale. It is important to structure your capital correctly from the start, as undercapitalization is one of the most common reasons for work permit rejections or business license complications.

BOI promotion offers some of the most compelling incentives available to foreign businesses in Thailand, including corporate income tax exemptions for up to 8 years, exemptions on import duties for machinery and raw materials, permission for 100% foreign ownership regardless of the Foreign Business Act, and the ability to own land for industrial purposes. BOI also simplifies the process for obtaining multiple work permits and long-term visas for key foreign staff and their dependants. Qualifying activities include technology, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, healthcare, digital businesses, and more. Our specialists have extensive experience preparing successful BOI applications and guiding businesses through the approval process.

Registering a Thai Limited Company typically takes between 5 and 10 business days for the incorporation documents to be processed by the Department of Business Development (DBD), provided all documents are in order. However, the full process — including preparing articles of association, reserving the company name, opening a corporate bank account, registering for VAT, and obtaining the company's tax ID — can take 3 to 6 weeks in total. If your business requires additional licensing (such as a Foreign Business License or BOI approval), timelines extend to several months. Relocation Network streamlines the entire process, handling all paperwork and government liaison so you can focus on launching your business.