Company Formation in Thailand – ASEAN Market Entry for NRIs & Global Investors
Company Formation in Thailand – Gateway to ASEAN for NRIs & Indian Entrepreneurs
Thailand is Southeast Asia's second-largest economy and a strategic hub for manufacturing, trade, tourism, and digital businesses. With a 20% corporate tax rate (reduced to 15% for SMEs), generous Board of Investment (BOI) incentives including up to 8-year corporate tax exemptions, and a DTAA with India, Thailand offers compelling opportunities for NRIs and Indian entrepreneurs seeking an ASEAN foothold.
Why Thailand?
- ✅ 20% corporate tax (15% for SMEs; 0% for BOI-promoted companies for up to 8 years)
- ✅ DTAA with India – reduced withholding on dividends (10%), interest (10-15%), royalties (10-15%)
- ✅ BOI incentives – tax holidays, import duty exemptions, land ownership rights for promoted businesses
- ✅ No capital gains tax on listed securities
- ✅ Strategic ASEAN location – borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia
- ✅ Strong manufacturing base – automotive, electronics, food processing, gems
- ✅ Thailand 4.0 digital economy initiative with EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor) incentives
- ✅ English-friendly business environment in Bangkok and major cities
Types of Thailand Companies for NRIs
Thai Limited Company (Borisat Chamgad)
The standard vehicle for foreign investors. Requires at least 3 shareholders; foreign ownership is generally capped at 49% under the Foreign Business Act (FBA) unless BOI-promoted or operating in permitted sectors. Minimum registered capital: THB 2 million for foreign-majority companies.
BOI-Promoted Company
For businesses in promoted sectors (manufacturing, tech, agriculture, logistics), BOI promotion grants 100% foreign ownership, corporate tax holidays of 3–8 years, and import duty exemptions. This is the preferred route for NRIs with qualifying businesses.
Representative Office / Regional Operating Headquarters (ROH)
For companies using Thailand as a regional hub. ROH status provides a 10% preferential tax rate on qualifying income.
Our Thailand Company Formation Package Includes
- Business activity assessment and BOI eligibility review
- Name reservation with Department of Business Development (DBD)
- Memorandum & Articles of Association preparation and filing
- Registered office address (1 year)
- Company secretary and statutory director appointment
- BOI application (if applicable)
- Corporate bank account introduction (Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, or SCB)
- Compliance pack: UBO declaration, KYC, AML policy
- Certificate of Incorporation + Share Certificates
- Post-incorporation: VAT registration, social security setup
Timeline
Standard formation: 10–15 business days. BOI applications: additional 60–90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can an NRI own 100% of a Thailand company?
- Generally, foreign ownership is capped at 49% under the FBA. However, BOI-promoted companies and companies in certain sectors can have 100% foreign ownership. Our advisors will identify the optimal structure for your business.
- What is the BOI?
- The Board of Investment is Thailand's investment promotion agency. BOI-promoted companies receive significant tax and non-tax incentives including corporate tax holidays and 100% foreign ownership rights.
- Is a Thailand company suitable for ASEAN market entry?
- Yes. Thailand's central ASEAN location, strong infrastructure, and FTA network make it an excellent regional hub for manufacturing, trading, and services businesses.
Blueberry is a Kerala-based global trade and financial services facilitation firm. We work with licensed Thailand company secretaries and BOI-registered advisors to deliver compliant, end-to-end company formation services.