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What should I consider when planning to open a Greek restaurant in Thailand?

Thailand restaurant business expat advice visa requirements business ownership Phuket Khon Kaen Isaan work permits

Aug 11, 2024

5 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

next week I'm visiting Thailand I'll be in Phuket Khon Kaen and I'll see other provinces of Thailand I'll stay for more or less 2 months then I'll return to Greece and settle what I have to do Greece and again Thailand to open a restaurant with the necessary actions of course

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses an expat's plans to visit Thailand for two months, with intentions to establish a Greek restaurant upon returning. The conversation involves various comments from the community, asking about potential challenges, business regulations, and visa requirements for foreigners wishing to operate a restaurant in Thailand. Concerns about business ownership laws, hiring Thai staff, and the overall restaurant market in Thailand are also raised.

J ******************

Have not seen that many good sources of lamb in Thailand

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Tulip ********

Yes, of course you will, dear.

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Christopher *************

What a tosser--- full of self importance

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Christopher *************

So what --- the world does not need to know

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Henrik *****

Opening ( another ) restaurant will not give you a workpermit to actually work in the restaurant, since most of the functions there are Thai only jobs.

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Dan **********

I envy that! Just got back from Khon Kaen and other areas in the north and now bought a condo in Phuket. Hope to see you start up!

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Connor **********

There's some propper prices on this page .

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Andy ********

Good luck. I love Isaan region.

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Mike ********

Thank god. You noticed the massive lack of restaurants and food vendors.

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Rick **********

So what???

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Bill **********

I am sure everyone is thrilled to bits to hear this 😂

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Greta *****

Thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure I leave Phuket by then

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Martin *********

Thanks for update

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Mdl *****

Ye what??

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Angelo ***********

For running a restaurant you will have some problems, e.g. simply getting Greek style Yoghurt (yes you can get) and cheese from goat or sheep. Or even good olive oil. Sent me a PM, I can give some hints.

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Shane ************

Thaialnd doesn’t need another restaurant and you will learn a painful lesson

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Angelo ***********

@Shane ***********

I would not mind a Greek restaurant. Or Spanish one. Or Portuguese, or a real Italian one.

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Angelo ***********

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Kevin ***********

Big dreams open in June it's the busy season then

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Ken ********

Best of luck to ya....looking forward to hearing more of your adventure. Myself, I'll be traveling to BKK next week from HCMC.

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Joe **********

Why can't people just wish him luck? A lot of bored and bitter foreigners on here sadly¡

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William ******

In my opinion & experience, ‘Well Said’.

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William ******

You will have a great deal of competition by adding yet another restaurant to the many already operating, also much will depend on the type of fare, ie Thai, Greek or other.

An interesting idea, but not easy to do & a great deal to consider. many Thai legal hoops to jump through plus ownership of property or operating a business by a non Thai is very restricted & very difficult to legally obtain.

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Zac ********

Try contacting

@Kostas **********

he has an established successful Greek restaurant for sale on Koh Chang.

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Maxi ******

….and when you have woke up what did you do?

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Robert *********

Beer is good tonight ?

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Eugene *******

So what?

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Carl ***********

Only invest what you're willing to lose, now that's sound advice

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William ******

@Carl **********

so true

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William ******

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Graham *******

I like Greek food, open one in Pattaya. You need to open a company and employ a few Thai's

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Bob **********

If you want a small fortune bring a large one to Thailand

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Pieter **************

Good luck

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Adolar **********

Chiang Mai is a tourist place with many international restaurants and a huge expat community. We definitely miss a good greek restaurant here.

Furthermore, wages, rents and cost of living are comparably cheap. There are dozens of flights Bangkok every day.

You should come here…

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Ron ********

Better use is to burn your money. At least then you will get a few seconds of heat out of it.

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Colin *********

you do like the thought of burning money, don't you? 🤣 🤣 🤣

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Ron ********

@Colin ********

Yes......being I have done it plenty of times, usually involving a female of the species helping me! 😆

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Ron ********

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Luigi ***********

The red carpet is ready to honor his visit 🥂

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Nigel *************

@Luigi **********

I've already bought tickets to his arrival...😂😂😂

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Nigel *************

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John **********

Take lots of money 🤑

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Nigel *************

@John *********

Yep... the old saying.

In business here, if you want to end up with 5 million baht, start off with 10 million.

😂😂😂

Bless 'em...

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John **********

@Nigel ************

hehehe yes I have heard this said many times

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John **********

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William ******

@John *********

They’ll need it.

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John **********

Might be just my thinking. I get going to Thailand to retire, but to open a business really.

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Colin *********

@John *********

maybe thinks it's a better idea than Greece, where the country's economy, I think, might be in tatters

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Colin *********

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Brenton ******

Thanks for letting us know what you're up to

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Chris ***********

Sounds a bit kneejerk.

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Kace *******

so you will have GYROs???

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Tim ********

There is a shortage of restaurants.

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John ********

You will need a work permit which is difficult to get because you are taking work from a Thai person

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Sam **********

many foreigners own or manage bars and restaurants. It's not difficult if he hires thai staff

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Luc ************

ever seen a farang working in their restaurants or bars? Nope.

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John **********

@Luc ***********

You need to get out more 🤣

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Kim *********

@Luc ***********

certainly - seen it in Pattaya seen it in Udon Thani

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Vinn *********

@Luc ***********

Yes I did see that in Bangkok. Greece and Italian restaurants.

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Vinn *********

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Stefano ****************

..anyway 51% of tne business must belong to a thai person.....

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Stefano ****************

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Baz *********

Opening a Greek restaurant in Thailand?

You are certainly taking on quite a challenge there..

And what visa have you arranged for this long term business venture in Thailand ?

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Ben *****

Take your time, talk to an attorney/accountant/consultant (not FB), do a LOT of research. Then decide if you want to follow through with your business idea.

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AJ ****

So what ? What do you want us to do ? Is there a question ? I really feel pity for your restaurant if this is the quality you bring

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Ivan *********

Don't you have to be thai to open any business in Thailand

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Matt ******

no

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AJ ****

lol no

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Ivan *********

51% in a thai name

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Ivan *********

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Ryan *******

Open a restaurant in what part of Thailand

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Alan ********

So what advice do you need from this forum?

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Phil ******

Sounds a good plan but why phuket? Isaan is great

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Gianpaolo ******

@Mohit *********************

What the fuck are you laughing at?

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Mohit **********************

@Gianpaolo *****

Laughing at your idea of opening a business at a “tourist place” in Esarn. 🤣

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Gianpaolo ******

@Mohit *********************

i have said isaan is a great place for living not for business

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Phil ******

@Mohit *********************

yep

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Phil ******

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Mohit **********************

lmaooo he doesn’t wanna grow sticky rice in Esaarn

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Phil ******

@Mohit *********************

bad

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Phil ******

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Gianpaolo ******

yes isaan is great I live here! But if you want open a restaurant you have a open it in a tourist place!

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Phil ******

@Gianpaolo *****

I know

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Phil ******

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saki*****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Phuket l never travel to ko Samui people say it's good Phuket l will stay 10 days

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Phil ******

enjoy your holiday. Maybe consult a legal company in Bangkok about your business plan. I've used Sunbelt Asia and Siam legal both are good in my opinion and here in Bangkok. Maybe a Greek style restaurant will work here as not many

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Phil ******

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Djamee *********

Congratulations on the restaurant

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Vinn *********

Sorry but I don't understand this post.

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Ken **********

not that hard to grasp for most people.

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Ken **********

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