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What is the easiest way to move to Thailand and start a business with a business visa?

Business VisaNon-Immigrant B VisaInvestment RequirementsRegistered CapitalForeign Business OwnershipThai Employment RegulationsTreaty of AmityBoard of Investment (BOI)Cultural Considerations in BusinessExpats in Thailand
Nov 9, 2024
a month ago
Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys, I’m interested to move to Thailand and do some business there. Can anyone suggest the easiest and quickest way to do so. Also how much investment do I need to show if I’m planning to take this business visa route. Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The quickest and easiest way for expats to obtain a business visa in Thailand is to apply for a Non-Immigrant B visa. To qualify, you'll need to show registered capital of at least 2 million baht and potentially hire Thai employees, as foreigners can only own 49% of a company unless under specific conditions like the BOI or the Treaty of Amity. It’s advised to first understand the local culture and business environment before diving in. While there are options to bypass certain employment and ownership restrictions, it's crucial to do thorough research and consider the common challenges faced by foreign business owners in Thailand.
Charlie *********
Naysayers aside, I wish you luck. With the right location, people, and ideas, you could very well come out ahead. If it were me, I’d see what others offer and how I could step it up or do it differently. There are a LOT businesses out there that do things “the Thai way” that might benefit from a more Western slant (that floating hotel on a river I stayed at that had toilets that flushed directly into the river comes to mind). Nothing at all against “The Thai way,” but a floating hotel with environmentally friendly plumbing would have been a first choice, lol.
a month ago
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Tony **********
If you are American, Google "treaty of Amity".
a month ago
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Sam *********
Don't go the business route first, spend time here. I think you might be underestimating some of the social and cultural challenges involved in having a business here. Just finding trustworthy and loyal staff is going to be a learning curve.
a month ago
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Tom ********
@Sam ********
 And that goes for anywhere in SEA too.
a month ago
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Tom ********
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Jim ********
What sort of business?
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
 still exploring options. Maybe a guesthouse/ homestay or fitness resort/ motorcycle touring company
a month ago
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Jim ********
@Winston ****
 Ah ok. I thought you already had something in mind.
a month ago
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Jim ********
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Us *****
I think you need to just live here and understand the Thai culture before you want to do business here. I have seen too much in the last 18 months to know that this is not a place for us to open a business for profit. Again, a business for profit.
a month ago
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Wayne ********
@Us ****
 why do so many people think there is some kind of Goldmine to be found in opening a business in Thailand. This may have been the case 20 or 25 years ago but coming into Thailand now and thinking you’re going to reinvent the wheel with some kind of hotel, motel or guest house is like buying a house at the peak pricing. I think most people don’t realize if they want an open a business now in Thailand they have sort of missed the train so to speak the train left the station about 20 years ago.  excluding of course new technology.
a month ago
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David **********
@Us ****
 Very sage advice. Too many people think "I'll just go there and open a business because it's cheaper than here" but they have no idea how to run, let alone start a business in general. 🤯
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
 yes some people do that but for me I’ve been doing business for a long time now. Just want to move to Thailand as I find the life there much better so in order to live there I need to have a business.
a month ago
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David **********
@Winston ****
 point taken. However look at some of the other replies. The businesses that you are considering are in already saturated markets. I think the new DTV would be a better option for long term living in Thailand. Then you can do more research and planning instead of attaching your living there to a business which may/may not succeed.
a month ago
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Us *****
@David *********
 Listen, part of me just want to open a bar by the beach and just relax at night. I don't care if I make money or not. But I have too many friends bleed money every month. I don't care about making money but I do care about bleeding money.
a month ago
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David **********
@Us ****
 The dream of moving to a tropical paradise and opening a beach bar has been the downfall of many poor souls. Sure, there are success stories, but in most cases that dream turns into a reality of starting with a profit, which turns into little to no profit, and ultimately hoping to sell the par to some other gullible sap.
a month ago
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Sam *********
@Winston ****
 Just remember the old adage " To make a one baht in Thailand, you have to spend 10"
a month ago
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Sam *********
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Happy *****
It depends on what you invest in.
a month ago
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Kool *******
The basic financials on opening a business, and specifically in qualifying for a work permit, is that you have at least bt2million in registered capital in the business, together with hiring at least 4 Thai employees you pay wages and social security on. There are business structures that can be used to bypass the Thai employees, and the ownership requirement, but not the bt2million in registered capital for the work permit. Also be aware that the corporation must make a profit within 3
***
years, or it is disolved.
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 can you share more details about bypassing thai employees and also is there a way to safeguard myself considering I have to take a thai partner.
a month ago
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Kool *******
@Winston ****
 depending on the type of business you might be able to set-up under the BOI, board of investment, that can give you full ownership, and no required Thai employees. If you are American setting up under the Treaty of Amity is an option, but only if you are American. Stock voting rights is also a way to protect your ownership.
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 thank you for the info. Not an American so have to work with other options. Do you know any reliable lawyers in Chiangmai who could help me set up the company etc.
a month ago
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Kool *******
@Winston ****
 with offices in Chaing Mai, Siam-Legal.com is very good, as is Silk legal, depending on the type of business.
a month ago
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Kool *******
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John **********
Having a business is one thing and working in that business another thing. For the latter the business will need to sponsor you for a non-b visa and work permit, that requires 2m baht registered capital and employing 4 thais.
a month ago
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Ralph *******
There are various options including the Non-immigrant B visa, the Elite visa.

There are different requirements depending on the type of visa you choose.

There are many restrictions such as a foreigner can only own 49% of a company, the rest has to be owned by Thai nationals.

You need registered capital of at least 2 million baht.

It also depends on the nature of your business. What do you intend to do?
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ralph ******
 guesthouse or motel business along with motorcycle tours
a month ago
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Ralph *******
@Winston ****
 Guest house, motel/hotel could work. It will take a lot if capital.
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff *******
 why do you find it so funny ?
a month ago
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Jeff ********
@Winston ****
 you’re trying to get into a saturated market. Business 101. You will fail.
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff *******
 you have a better business idea ?
a month ago
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Jeff ********
@Winston ****
 a few.
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff *******
 let’s hear it!
a month ago
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Jeff ********
@Winston ****
 I’m sorry but my own ambitions and ideas are not to be shared on facebook with an unimaginative and myopic person like yourself.
a month ago
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Winston *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jeff Schott oh so you’re here just to laugh at people ? Hope I made your day. I fail to understand why people in general on fb are such Assholes.
a month ago
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Jeff ********
@Winston ****
 be quiet. I’m telling the fool he is a fool. Not rocket science. Why would I share my acumen with someone who can’t see past his own belly🤪😝😛😛
a month ago
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Jeff ********
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Ralph *******
@Winston ****
 So, you will need Thai nationals as partners, I guess. Motorcycle tours could be tricky if you intend to be the driver.
a month ago
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Ralph *******
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Shayne **********
I suggest getting the DTV and learning about the business environment in Thailand first.
a month ago
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Shayne **********
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