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How can I open a bar in Thailand without marrying a Thai national, and what visa options are available?

Business Ownership in ThailandBar OwnershipForeign InvestmentVisa and Work Permit RequirementsThai Business Laws
Sep 7, 2025
2 months ago
Jay **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi

How would one go about opening a bar in Thailand without marrying a thai national. regarding visas etc, would it just be a work permit, and if so how would one make it a perminant visa?

Thanks in advance for any sensible advice
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bar in Thailand as a foreigner without marrying a Thai national presents several challenges. To legally own a business, a foreigner needs a Thai partner who must hold 51% of the shares. Additionally, a work permit will be required, and various financial regulations apply, such as having a significant amount of money in the bank and employing local Thai staff. Many comments emphasize the high risk of failure and the complications of finding a trustworthy Thai partner.
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Michael ********
Seen lots and lots fail and a few do alright, you need a trusted partner and in that buisness they are as rare as hens teeth.
2 months ago
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Harry *********
This is a really good idea, it’s unique and not many bars… you can find loop holes, lots of Thai business partners who would welcome 51%.

Go for it

😬
2 months ago
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Walrus *******
@Harry ********
2 months ago
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Walrus *******
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Richard *******
Too many bars here already 🤷‍♂️
2 months ago
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Pat ******
99% chance that you will lose all your investment for your Thai partner next 1-2 years ..,

If you want to do business then better to hold this 51% of your business at some law company name
2 months ago
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Greg ***********
opening a bar as a foreigner is the best way to get rich in Thailand, but it requires you arrived and started with 100 million Thai Baht. You will still be a millionaire 2 years later, calling 2 million Baht your own
2 months ago
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John *********
Forget it, they are so many foreign s who have got down that route over the decades and failed miserably, unless you know high ranking officials you won’t get anywhere.
2 months ago
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Scotty *******
Yep dont do it many fail doing this same thing there's just not enough margin between wages /rent / stock / staff let alone make profit but up to you
2 months ago
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Steve *******
1. Don't do it.

2. You don't need to marry anyone or have a special visa to own a business here.

3. You do need a Thai partner who owns 51% of the business.

4. Don't do it.
2 months ago
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Jack ********
@Steve ******
 best advice so far providing he is not a masochist.
2 months ago
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Steve *******
@Jack *******
 if he was asking about opening a cafe, a dog shampoo place or a shoe shop, I'd be a lot more positive.

But a bar? In my 8 years here I've seen at least 50 bars open and go bankrupt within 6 months. It's financial suicide.
2 months ago
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Steve *******
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Paul ********
If you have to get a work permit you need a partner who is Thai to have 51% share. 2 million in the bank to show you have funds and employ 4 Thais.

Forget about it mate
2 months ago
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Sea *****
@Paul *******
 Wrong info, you don't need to actually have the 2 million in bank.
2 months ago
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Paul ********
@Sea ****
 the company I worked for did and I had to have loads of photos of my 4

Employees for immigration to take
2 months ago
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Sea *****
Ok, but that's not a legal requirement. You declare (and pay govt. fee for) 2M capital but you don't have to actually pay it.

4 TH employees per farang work permit is indeed a requirement (but only 2 TH employees if work permit applicant is married to a TH national).
2 months ago
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Mark ********
@Sea ****
 this is correct 👌
2 months ago
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Mark ********
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Ammy *******
@Paul *******
 perfect advice 🇹🇭
2 months ago
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Ammy *******
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Brendan ********
Good luck
2 months ago
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Brendan ********
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