Your investment journey in Bangkok
A clear path from first enquiry to a licensed, incentive-backed business. Follow the six stages — each one points to the official agency and shows the official infographics.
Know the four agencies
Investing in Thailand involves four main government agencies. Each handles a different part of the journey.
- Board of Investment (BOI) — investment promotion and incentives.
- Revenue Department (RD) — tax registration and tax incentives.
- Department of Business Development (DBD) — company registration and foreign business licences.
- Bank of Thailand (BOT) — foreign-exchange and treasury-centre licensing.
Apply for BOI promotion
The BOI offers incentives to promoted businesses. For regional headquarters, an International Business Centre (IBC) can be promoted.
- Typical IBC conditions (see the infographic): minimum paid-up registered capital of 10 million baht and a team of skilled staff.
- Incentives include: majority or 100% foreign ownership, the right to own land, visa and work-permit facilitation, and import-duty exemption on machinery for R&D and training.
- Application: eight steps — gather information, book a consultation, submit the application online, project analysis, notification of the result, acceptance, promotion certificate and, where needed, a foreign business certificate. The BOI application is free of charge.
Understand the tax incentives
The Revenue Department explains the tax incentives for International Business Centres and how to claim them.
- Review the tax incentives for IBCs — corporate income tax, specific business tax and withholding tax — and the qualifying conditions.
- Plan when the incentive starts: the infographic explains the options for the start of your tax benefit.
Get your foreign business licence
Foreign-owned businesses may need a Foreign Business Licence (FBL) or Foreign Business Certificate (FBC) from the DBD.
- The DBD guide shows the documents required and the steps from submission to approval.
- A promoted BOI project can use the foreign business certificate route.
Set up a Treasury Centre (if relevant)
Multinational groups can set up a Treasury Centre (TC) to manage group financing. The Bank of Thailand handles the licensing.
- Review the benefits and qualifications for a Treasury Centre in Thailand.
- Follow the five application steps, from the rules and regulations to the notification of results.
Set up and settle in
With approvals in progress, prepare your company, office and team in Bangkok.
- Follow the business start-up journey.
- Find an office or co-working space — see Office & co-working.
- Plan your relocation — see Moving to Bangkok.
Infographics and incentive details are published by the Thailand Board of Investment, the Revenue Department, the Department of Business Development and the Bank of Thailand (source: BOI HQ Biz Portal). Conditions change — confirm them with each agency before applying.