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Branch Office setup in Thailand.

The foreign Company (assuming the real owner) of the Branch Office is fully liable for the Branch Office. Unlike a representative office that may only engage in certain non-revenue-raising activities (non-trading activities), a branch office may in fact be involved in generating profit for the parent company (it is therefore called a trading entity).

Overview of a Branch Office in Thailand.

Foreign Ownership Up to 100%
Capital Requirements Minimum 3 million THB paid up capital
Tax Rate

Regular progressive corporate income tax rates.

May need to check Tax Treaty with home country.

Foreign Business License Will be issued upon approval of the registration.
Business Restrictions Restricted to the business for which the Branch Office is registered.
Registration Duration 3–4 months
Documentation Required notarized documents of the Foreign Company (Owner of the branch office).
How much does it cost to setup Branch Office in Thailand?

180,000 Baht

Inclusive of all professional, gov't and incidental fees.


How to set up a Branch Office in Thailand.

The process for registering a Branch Office in Thailand requires the company documents of the foreign head office to be notarized, verified by the Thai Consulate / Embassy in the home country, translated to Thai language, and a complete business plan of the intended activities to be carried out in Thailand. You may also be asked to have all these documents certified at the Ministry of Foreign Affair here in Bangkok as well.

Here is a list of documents that you need to prepare:

Document 1

Complete set of Head Office Company Document

Such as: Company Certificate, Registered Capital, Business Objectives, Company Affidavit / Article of Association, Official place of business, List of members of the board of directors and authorized signatories of the juristic person, List of shareholders.

Document 2

An appointment letter issued by the authorized signatory of the Head Office

That appointing an individual in Thailand (may be foreigner or Thai national) to be in charge of the operations of the branch in Thailand on behalf of the Head Office.

Document 3

A copy of the appointed individual’s passport

The identification document for foreigners or identification card as well as house registration or certificate of residence in Thailand, Visa or evidence of permission to enter Thailand.

Document 4

A declaration by the foreign juristic person

Certifying that the applicant, directors, managers and appointed individual satisfy the qualifications and do not possess any prohibited characteristics under section 16 of the Foreign Business Act, B.E. 2542 (1999).

Document 5

A map

Indicating the approximate location of the place of business operation in Thailand.

Document 6

A power of attorney

In the case where another person has been authorized to act on the applicants behalf for establishment of the Branch Office in Thailand.

Document 7

Other evidence or documents

Such as confirmation from the head office of the salary and other remuneration of the person in charge of the operations in Thailand, the head office’s annual audited financial report for the last three years, and so forth.

Document 8

A declaration detailing the type of business

For which a license application is made to establish the branch:

  • The type of business for which the application is made, including the stages of operations.
  • An estimate of the expenditure as regards the amount of funds which the applicant will expend in Thailand for the acquisition of fixed assets and for the operational expenses of the business in each year over a period of three years or over the actual period of business operation in the case where the business was operated for less than three years.
  • The size of the operations.
  • The size of workforce in Thailand employed by the applicant.
  • A plan for the import of foreign technology and the transfer of technology.
  • A plan for research and development, with an explanation of the working plan for the proposed research and development.
  • The intended period of business operation.
  • The overall benefit to the economy which Thailand is expected to receive from the business operation.
  • The source of income and estimated revenue to be derived from the project of the Branch Office in Thailand.
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Setting up a branch office in Thailand is not as straightforward as setting up a Thai Limited company. The Ministry of Commerce has the right to reject applications which they do not see fit.

Should you wish to proceed to set up a Branch Office, our Company Incorporation and Legal team can assist you with it.