What alcohol licence does a bar or restaurant need?

Retail alcohol sales require a licence from the Excise Department. Category 1 covers retail sale under 10 litres per transaction, and Category 2 covers larger volumes. Alcohol licences expire on 31 December each year and must be renewed annually.

Do small guesthouses need a hotel licence?

Under the 2023 Ministerial Regulation, accommodation with no more than 8 rooms and 30 guests, run as an additional source of income, is exempt from the Hotel Act. Larger properties need a hotel licence from the provincial administration.

Do tour operators need a licence?

Yes. Tour and travel businesses require a tourism licence from the Department of Tourism, plus a security bond. Foreign ownership of tour businesses is restricted under the Foreign Business Act.

How long does a business licence take?

Simple licences such as alcohol retail can be issued in days. Hotel licences and licences involving inspections can take several weeks to months. Starting the application before fit-out is finished avoids paying rent on a premises that cannot open.

What happens if I operate without the right licence?

Penalties range from fines to closure orders and, for some activities, criminal charges. Unlicensed operation can also jeopardise work permits and visa renewals tied to the business.

Thai Business Licences Guide

Registering a company does not by itself let you trade. Regulated activities need separate licences from different agencies, and each has its own timeline, fees and renewal cycle. The licence you need depends on what you sell, where you sell it, and the size of your premises.

The table below covers the licences we handle most often for clients in Pattaya and Chonburi.

The most common licences at a glance

Alcohol retail: Excise Department licence, Category 1 or 2, renewed by 31 December each year
Restaurant and food: Local municipality food and public health permits, plus signage tax
Hotel and accommodation: Hotel licence for more than 8 rooms or 30 guests; smaller properties are exempt
Bar and entertainment: Entertainment venue permit where live music or dancing is offered
Tour operator: Department of Tourism licence and security bond
Import and export: Customs registration and product-specific permits (FDA, TISI and others)

Alcohol licences in more detail

Retail alcohol sales are licensed by the Excise Department. Category 1 covers retail sales of less than 10 litres per transaction, which is the licence most bars and restaurants need. Category 2 covers larger volumes.

Every alcohol licence expires on 31 December, whenever it was issued, so a licence taken out in November still needs renewing weeks later. Renewal each January is a routine part of running a bar or restaurant.

Hotels and accommodation

Under the 2023 Ministerial Regulation, accommodation with no more than 8 rooms and 30 guests, operated as an additional source of income, is exempt from the Hotel Act. Anything larger needs a hotel licence from the provincial administration, with building and fire safety inspections.

Hotel licensing is one of the slower processes, so it should be started before a property is fitted out, not after.

Official sources

Licence rules are published by the Excise Department, the Department of Provincial Administration, the Department of Tourism and the Ministry of Commerce at moc.go.th. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Common mistakes to avoid

Signing a lease before checking the premises can be licensed. Zoning and building rules can block a licence entirely.

Forgetting the 31 December alcohol licence expiry and trading into January unlicensed.

Assuming a small guesthouse exemption covers a larger property. The 8 room, 30 guest limit is strict.

Frequently asked questions

No. Many businesses operate under a standard company registration alone. Licences are required for regulated activities such as selling alcohol, accommodation, food service, tourism, import and export, and certain health or entertainment businesses.