Company setup
Company setup in Thailand for Indian and foreign investors
Registering a company in Thailand is straightforward once the structure is right. We help you choose the structure, find the Thai partner where one is needed, and connect you with the professionals who complete the registration.
Structures
Four ways to set up a company in Thailand
The right structure depends on your activity, ownership goals and visa needs — not on what is cheapest to register.
Thai private limited company
The standard route. Flexible, well understood by banks and landlords, and suitable for most trading, services, hospitality and manufacturing businesses.
Majority Thai-owned company
Where foreign ownership limits apply, a Thai partner holds the majority. Partner quality and contract drafting decide how safe this structure is — verification matters more here than anywhere.
BOI-promoted company
For eligible activities, Thailand's Board of Investment can allow 100% foreign ownership plus tax incentives. Eligibility depends on the specific activity and project.
Branch or representative office
For established overseas companies that want a presence without a new Thai entity. Narrower scope: representative offices cannot earn revenue in Thailand.
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.
The process
Company registration in Thailand, step by step
The registration itself is quick; the structure and licence decisions around it are what take thought.
01
Choose the structure
Ownership limits, your activity, capital and visa needs decide the structure. Getting this wrong is expensive to unwind later.
02
Reserve the name and register
Name reservation, memorandum of association, statutory meeting and registration with the Department of Business Development (DBD).
03
Tax, VAT and social security
Corporate tax registration, VAT where turnover or activity requires it, and employer social-security registration if you hire staff.
04
Bank account and capital
Open a Thai corporate bank account and inject registered capital correctly — banks will ask for company documents and director presence.
05
Licences and work permits
Sector licences (food, tourism, education and others), plus visas and work permits for foreign directors and staff.
Read the detailed guide
Our article on Thailand company registration for foreigners covers documents, timelines and common mistakes in full.
Thailand company registration for foreignersBudgeting
What company setup in Thailand costs
Costs vary by structure and activity, but three buckets always apply.
Professional fees
Registration is usually handled by a Thai lawyer or accountant; fees vary with structure complexity, licence work and visa needs.
Registered capital
Capital requirements depend on structure and on whether you need work permits — each foreign work permit typically requires committed capital and Thai employment.
Ongoing compliance
Monthly bookkeeping, annual audited accounts, and corporate filings are mandatory — budget for an accountant from day one.
Need a Thai partner?
Structure and partner go together
Where foreign ownership limits apply, the partner you choose matters more than the paperwork. We research and verify Thai partners against a written brief before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
- Can an Indian citizen register a company in Thailand?
- Yes. Indian citizens can register and own shares in a Thai company. For many service and trading activities foreign majority ownership is restricted, so the common routes are a Thai-majority company, a BOI-promoted company, or a structure designed around your specific activity.
- How long does company registration in Thailand take?
- The DBD registration itself can complete within about a week once documents are ready. Realistic end-to-end timelines — structure decisions, bank account, tax registration, licences and visas — are usually measured in weeks to a few months.
- Do I need a Thai partner to set up a company in Thailand?
- Not always. BOI promotion and certain activities allow full foreign ownership. Where foreign ownership is restricted, a genuine Thai partner is the lawful route — nominee shareholders (names on paper with no real involvement) are illegal and risky.
- How much capital do I need?
- There is no single figure: it depends on the structure, the activity and whether you need work permits. Plan for registered capital plus professional fees and at least the first year of compliance costs.
- Can Thaind handle my company registration?
- We are a business facilitation platform, not a law or accounting firm. We help you choose the right structure and partner, prepare the brief, and connect you with vetted Thai lawyers and accountants who carry out the registration.
Plan your Thailand company setup
Tell us your activity, ownership goals and timeline. We will tell you which structure is realistic and what it takes to register.