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What are the requirements for a Polish citizen to open a restaurant in Ao Nang with a Thai partner?

Thailand VisaBusiness OwnershipStarting a RestaurantAo NangForeign Business ActThai Work PermitThai Company LawThai Culinary Market
Jan 20, 2024
10 months ago
Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good morning from England. I looking for advice. I would like to open restaurant in Ao Nang with my partner who is Thai, Im Polish citizen and would like to know what I need to do it, could anyone help me with some information, Thank you very much
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An inquiry from a Polish citizen seeking advice on opening a restaurant in Ao Nang with a Thai partner, discussing visa requirements, the necessity of hiring Thai staff, and ownership regulations. Comments provide insights on business strategy, the need for a work permit, and the importance of proper company structure to protect interests.
Alastair ********************
You can own 49% of a company, however you do not really want the other 51% to be owned by one individual. That 51% should really be spread across 2 or 3 individuals to protect your interests.

This article discusses Thailand Foreign Business Act and should be a good starting point for your considerations.

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10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you very much
10 months ago
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Alastair ********************
@Artur ************
 no worries
10 months ago
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Alastair ********************
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Henrik *****
It won’t be you that opens the restaurant, but your partner, since you can’t work in a restaurant, only be the financee.
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 this was i cheked already as Head chef i can
10 months ago
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Richard ********
@Artur ************
 Hej Arthur napisz do mnie
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard *******
 i wrote to you
10 months ago
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Artur *************
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Henrik *****
There would need to be a number of Thai staff in the compagny, to allow 1 foreigner, and the salery for the foreigner has to have a salery of 30.000 - 50.000 Baht / month, which would be very high for a start-up business.
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 can i write directly to you?
10 months ago
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Henrik *****
No, I always write in the group, so all of the group can benefit from the answers, and not a single person.

It may also make others interested to give comments, which will give a broader set of views.

That is actualy the mening of facebook groups, to give as many as possibel access to information.
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 So if my boyfriend become my husband and we will hire 4 thai peopel i could work in our restaurant, or we could hire chefs give them training and i will be only financial erson but in this case i will need as well work premit ?
10 months ago
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Frank **********
@Artur ************
 you cannot legally be married in Thailand unless they pass that bill that Brandon mentioned. Thailand will not recognize your marraige even if you get married before you arrive.
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 thank you for your advice i thought it will be like that for now
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 oh ok i understand
10 months ago
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Artur *************
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Pascal ********
Ao Nang the high season is short with a long low season, make sure you have the perfect location
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will be there in end of may and with my boyfriend we will look for good place
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Artur ************
 rules are easier for a foreigner married to a Thai. If the marriage equality bill passes you may be able to use that to your advantage if you get married. Otherwise you'll need at least 4 Thai employees in order to get a work permit.
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 so if i will do that with my partner and i will hire 4 thai peopel i should get work premit as one of the owners with 49% of share ?
10 months ago
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Kool *******
@Artur ************
 the business also needs at least bt2million in registered capital, and the 4 Thai employees you pay wages, and social security on, in order to qualify for your work permit. One of those employees must be your licensed accountant, as that is a restricted occupation for Thais only. There are monthly, and quarterly reports, and payments the licensed accountant must sign off on.
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Artur ************
 it's not quite that simple but yes that's the general idea. And your boyfriend can be one of the employees too. You'd be best to consult a lawyer though
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Pascal ********
@Artur ************
 Good luck
10 months ago
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Roberto *********
Make it a Polish restaurant. We need some different food here in Thailand!
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
i have already plan for it and it will call tast of europ and yes polish will be as well;)
10 months ago
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Daniel *****
@Artur ************
 great, I love the spelling, very thai style.
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel ****
 sorry I'm not english I'm Polish so its still bad writing for me 😅
10 months ago
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Artur *************
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Roberto *********
@Artur ************
 Excellent! I went to this one is Posnan a few years ago. The food was fantastic! Copy their menu and I will fly from Bangkok just to visit your restaurant

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10 months ago
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Roberto *********
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Nigel **************
Much better way is to think how can your partner open a restaurant?
10 months ago
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Artur *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
So if he will open on his name how i can be there ?
10 months ago
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Nigel **************
@Artur ************
 that will be much more difficult and I dunno how to
10 months ago
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Nigel **************
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