Effortless Entry to Southeast Asia — Start in Thailand
Thailand presents an exceptional opportunity for businesses to establish operations and reach new markets in Asia. With efficient registration support from the Department of Business Development (DBD) and pro-business government initiatives, setting up a company is straightforward. Whether you’re building a regional presence or exploring untapped opportunities, Thailand’s strong economy and modern infrastructure provide a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
The business benefits of registering your company in Thailand
Thailand is fast becoming a go-to destination for businesses, offering unmatched advantages for streamlined operations and scalable growth.
Here’s why:
- Maximize profitability with competitive corporate tax rates and incentives under the Thailand BOI registration program.
- Register your company efficiently with the support of the Department of Business Development (DBD).
- Access a skilled workforce and tap into growing sectors like technology and manufacturing.
- Enjoy flexible registration options tailored for foreign businesses, including joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries.
- Benefit from clear regulations that provide a supportive framework for international companies.
- Establish your presence in Southeast Asia’s thriving regional economy with ease.
Thailand offers a stable and growing market with countless opportunities for businesses seeking sustainable growth.
Up next, we’ll explore the available pathways for company registration, including Thailand BOI registration, traditional setups, and Employer of Record (EOR) solutions, to help you choose the right approach.
Understanding the options for business registration in Thailand
Thailand offers multiple pathways for setting up a business, each designed to cater to different operational and strategic needs:
Aspect | Thailand BOI Registration | Standard Registration | Employer of Record (EOR) |
Purpose | Provides foreign investors with incentives like tax breaks and streamlined setup for targeted industries. | Establishes a legal entity, granting full operational and financial control. | Enables hiring in Thailand without setting up a legal entity. The EOR handles employment, compliance, and payroll. |
Control | Offers autonomy in BOI-approved sectors under Thai business laws. | Provides complete operational and financial control. | Operational control over employees while the EOR manages legal and administrative responsibilities. |
Compliance | Requires adherence to BOI criteria, reporting, and Thai regulations. | Full responsibility for compliance with Thai laws and regulations. | The EOR ensures compliance with employment laws, taxes, and reporting requirements. |
Setup Time | Faster than traditional registration due to BOI facilitation. | Longer, as it involves detailed documentation and approvals. | Quick, allowing immediate onboarding and operational scalability. |
Cost | Involves BOI application fees and compliance costs. | Includes setup costs, legal fees, and ongoing administrative expenses. | Service fees to the EOR, typically more cost-effective for short-term or flexible needs. |
Scalability | Best for businesses seeking growth in incentivized industries. | Suitable for long-term investments requiring physical operations. | Highly flexible, enabling workforce scaling without committing to entity registration. |
Thailand BOI registration is an good option for companies in approved industries, offering substantial benefits for long-term investments. Standard registration provides maximum control but involves more administrative effort and setup time.
However, for businesses prioritizing speed and flexibility, an Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies entry into Thailand’s market by managing compliance and employee administration without the need to establish a local entity.
Next, let’s dive deeper into how EOR can streamline your hiring and operational needs.
How an EOR simplifies company registration in Thailand
Setting up your business in Thailand can be simple with the right support. An Employer of Record (EOR) handles onboarding, compliance, and administration, so you can focus on growth without needing a local entity.
Here’s how an EOR helps:
- Speeds up market entry by eliminating the need for entity setup.
- Manages payroll, taxes, and government filings efficiently.
- Ensures compliance with Thai business laws and labor regulations.
- Reduces costs associated with entity registration and maintenance.
- Offers flexibility to scale your workforce as needed.
- Simplifies hiring and onboarding of skilled Thai professionals.
- Handles locally compliant benefits to attract and retain talent.
- Minimizes legal and compliance risks for smooth operations.
Using an EOR in Thailand gives you the freedom to operate quickly and effectively while staying compliant with local laws.
Step-by-step guide to registering a company in Thailand
Thailand’s company registration process is straightforward with the right guidance. Follow these steps to get started and manage each stage effectively.
Step 1: Choose the appropriate business structure
Establishing a local entity in Thailand requires navigating a complex regulatory landscape, which can divert valuable time and resources. Partnering with an EOR like Multiplier offers a streamlined alternative, enabling you to enter the market efficiently. By managing critical functions such as onboarding, payroll, tax filings, and compliance, an EOR acts as your legal employer, allowing you to focus on strategic growth and operations.
However, if you decide to take the local-entity route, you should choose your business structure carefully.
The choice of entity—whether a private limited company, branch office, or representative office—shapes your legal responsibilities, tax commitments, and operational capabilities. Careful evaluation ensures your structure supports your broader objectives while aligning with Thailand’s regulatory environment.
Common business structures:
- Limited Company: Suitable for most foreign and domestic enterprises, offering limited liability to shareholders.
- Representative Office: For companies needing a presence for market research or coordination without generating revenue in Thailand.
- Branch Office: Ideal for businesses conducting revenue-generating activities under the parent company.
Ensure the business structure aligns with Thai business laws and your operational goals.
Step 2: Reserve a unique business name
Your company’s name must comply with Thai naming conventions and must not duplicate existing registered names. Use the Department of Business Development’s (DBD) online system to check and reserve your company name.
Step 3: Prepare and submit the necessary documents
Compile the required paperwork and submit it to the Department of Business Development (DBD) for registration.
Commonly required documents:
- Application form
- Articles of Association
- List of shareholders
- Copies of identification for directors and shareholders
- Proof of business address
Ensure all documents comply with Thai regulations, including notarization for foreign applicants.
Step 4: Open a corporate bank account
A local bank account is crucial for handling company transactions, including payroll and expenses.
Options:
- Traditional banks: Major banks like Kasikornbank and Bangkok Bank cater to business clients.
- Fintech solutions: Platforms like Wise and Revolut provide multi-currency accounts, which can be ideal for international companies.
You’ll typically need the company registration certificate, tax documents, and identification of authorized signatories to open the account.
With Multiplier’s global payroll solution, you can bypass the need for a local bank account altogether. Multiplier enables you to:
- Process payroll efficiently across multiple currencies.
- Stay fully aligned with Thailand’s tax and labor regulations.
- Eliminate the headaches and risks tied to handling global payroll on your own.
By streamlining payroll and compliance, Multiplier empowers you to concentrate on scaling your operations in Thailand. It’s the fastest, easiest way to establish operations.
Step 5: Register for tax and compliance
Stay compliant with Thai tax regulations by registering for necessary tax IDs and licenses.
Tax registration:
- Value Added Tax (VAT): Mandatory if your annual revenue exceeds THB 1.8 million.
- Corporate Income Tax (CIT): Applicable for all registered companies.
- Employee taxes: Register as an employer to handle payroll deductions and social security contributions.
Compliance requirements:
- Maintain accurate accounting records and prepare annual financial statements.
- Submit annual tax returns and other mandatory filings to Thai authorities.
- Follow labor laws and employee welfare guidelines.
Setting up a local entity can be time-intensive. An EOR simplifies the process by managing compliance, payroll, and hiring while you focus on growth.
Next, let’s break down the costs of company registration in Thailand to help you plan effectively.
The real cost of registering a business in Thailand
For businesses planning to register in Thailand, understanding the costs involved is essential. Here’s a breakdown to help you prepare effectively:
1. Registration costs
- Government fees: THB 6,000–10,000 for registering a private limited company, depending on capital.
- Legal services: If using a consultant, expect to pay THB 10,000–25,000 for registration support.
- Notary fees: Notarizing documents can cost THB 2,000–5,000 per set.
2. Annual maintenance costs
- Accounting services: Monthly bookkeeping starts at THB 5,000, depending on transaction volume.
- Auditing: Annual audits are mandatory for limited companies and cost THB 20,000–50,000.
- Taxes: Corporate Income Tax is 20%, while VAT registration (7%) is required for businesses exceeding THB 1.8 million in annual revenue.
- Licensing renewals: Fees vary depending on the type of business activity and required permits.
3. Additional considerations
- Business licenses: Certain industries, like food and tourism, may need extra permits costing THB 5,000–50,000 annually.
- Banking services: Setting up a corporate bank account can incur fees, especially for international transfers.
- Work permits: For foreign employees, a work permit costs THB 3,000 per year, with additional visa processing fees.
An Employer of Record (EOR) can significantly reduce administrative and operational costs. By eliminating the need for entity registration and managing compliance, payroll, and taxes, an EOR consolidates expenses into one predictable service fee.
Using an EOR not only saves time and money but also streamlines the complexities of operating in Thailand’s regulatory environment.
Next, we’ll compare the costs and benefits of standard registration versus using an EOR to help you choose the best approach for your business.
Cost comparison: Standard registration vs. EOR
Understanding the cost differences between traditional company registration and using an Employer of Record (EOR) in Thailand in 2025 can help you choose the best approach for your business.
While traditional registration involves significant upfront and recurring costs, an EOR consolidates expenses into a single, predictable fee. This approach simplifies operations by eliminating the complexities of legal entity setup.
By partnering with an EOR, you gain flexibility, reduce costs, and focus on scaling your business in Thailand without being burdened by administrative challenges.
Next, let’s explore how an EOR like Multiplier can streamline your business operations and support your expansion into Thailand.
Simplify your business expansion in Thailand with Multiplier
Growing your business in Thailand doesn’t have to be a complex process. Multiplier’s employer of record (EOR) solution empowers you to focus on your strategic objectives while we manage the operational intricacies.
Why Multiplier is your trusted partner for Thailand
- Efficient talent access and onboarding
Tap into Thailand’s skilled talent pool without regulatory headaches. Multiplier ensures compliant employment contracts, seamless onboarding, and ongoing HR support, helping you build a strong local team. - Seamless payroll management
Simplify payroll management with precise, real-time processing. Multiplier manages taxes, social security contributions, and employee payouts in full compliance with Thailand’s legal requirements. - Centralized HR and workforce management
Streamline operations with Multiplier’s unified platform. From leave tracking to expense approvals, we simplify HR tasks, giving you full visibility and control over your workforce. - Proactive compliance management
Navigate Thailand’s labor and tax regulations with ease. Multiplier ensures your operations stay fully compliant, protecting your business from risks and penalties. - Tailored employee benefits administration
Attract and retain top talent with locally optimized benefits. Multiplier takes care of benefits administration, ensuring employees receive competitive, compliant packages. - Reliable support and secure operations
Enjoy 24/5 expert support alongside GDPR compliance and SOC 2-certified systems. With Multiplier, your business operations are secure and efficient.
Multiplier goes beyond operational support to empower your business in Thailand. With expert-led payroll, compliance, and workforce solutions, we simplify the complexities of expansion, so you can focus on driving growth and unlocking opportunities.
Book a Demo to learn how Multiplier’s EOR services can help you expand into Thailand seamlessly.
