For many business activities restricted under the Foreign Business Act, a standard Thai limited company is capped at 49% foreign shareholding unless you obtain an exception. The most common exceptions are:
1. BOI promotion — companies approved by the Board of Investment can typically hold 100% foreign ownership for promoted activities. 2. A Foreign Business License — possible for qualifying activities, though approval is selective. 3. Activities that are not restricted at all — trading in many services, export businesses and others may be open to full foreign ownership from day one.
The right answer depends on exactly what your company will do, where it will operate and who its customers are. We help you map your activity against the restricted lists before you commit to a structure, and connect you with Thai lawyers for the formal opinion.
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Information on investment, BOI, taxation, immigration, company structures and regulations is provided for general information only and should be independently verified with qualified Thai professionals and the relevant government authorities.