Before you start
You need a company name (three options, ranked), at least three shareholders, registered capital (minimum 15 baht is technically possible — practically, 1 million baht is the floor), a Thai address for the registered office, and clarity on whether the business is Thai-majority or foreign-majority owned.
The last point shapes everything downstream. Foreign-majority companies face the Foreign Business Act, which restricts certain activities and triggers a separate licensing path. Get this clear before filing anything.
Step 1 — Reserve the company name
File three name options with the DBD (Department of Business Development) in priority order. The DBD checks for conflicts and similarity. Approval typically arrives within one to two business days.
A reserved name is valid for 30 days. Do not start the next step before you have the reservation approval in hand.
Step 2 — File the Memorandum of Association
The MOA establishes the company on paper: name, registered office, objectives, capital, shareholders. We typically file this and the formation registration on the same day to compress the timeline.
- Statutory meetingAdopts the Articles of Association and appoints directors.
- Capital subscriptionShareholders subscribe to shares; at least 25% must be paid up.
- Director appointmentDirectors accept the appointment in writing.
Step 3 — Register the company with the DBD
File the formation documents — MOA, Articles, director consents, shareholder list, registered office evidence. The DBD issues the company registration certificate, usually within one business day for clean filings.
You now have a juristic entity. Tax IDs and operational permits come next.
Step 4 — Tax ID and VAT registration
Apply for the corporate tax ID from the Revenue Department within 60 days. If your projected annual revenue exceeds 1.8 million baht, file PP.01 to register for VAT at the same time. Better to register and not need it than to trigger a forced backdated registration later.
Step 5 — Social security registration
When you hire your first employee, register with the Social Security Office within 30 days. Monthly contribution filings begin from that point.
Name reservation to fully operational entity: 7 to 14 business days for clean Thai-majority cases. Add 4 to 8 weeks for foreign-majority companies requiring an FBL.