What is the minimum capital for a Thai limited company?

Since the February 2023 amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code, a private limited company needs at least two promoters, each holding at least one share, so the legal minimum is very low (two shares at a minimum par value of 5 baht). In practice, capital is set higher to support work permits (2,000,000 baht per foreign employee) and foreign ownership rules.

What are the government registration fees?

DBD fees are based on registered capital. The memorandum of association fee is 50 baht per 100,000 baht of capital (minimum 500 baht), and the company registration fee is 500 baht per 100,000 baht of capital (minimum 5,000 baht). Fees are capped at higher capital levels. Always check the current schedule at dbd.go.th.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Thai company?

Only in some cases. Foreign ownership above 49% is restricted for activities listed under the Foreign Business Act, Lists 1 to 3. Companies with BOI promotion, a Foreign Business Licence or Treaty of Amity status (US citizens) can hold more. Activities not on the lists have no foreign ownership cap.

Do I need to be in Thailand to register a company?

Not necessarily. Many steps can be handled with signed documents and a power of attorney, though directors usually need to sign certain papers and banks normally require the authorised director to attend in person when opening the account.

What ongoing costs should I budget for?

Plan for monthly bookkeeping and tax filings, payroll and social security, an annual audit by an independent licensed Thai CPA, and corporate income tax filings. See our accounting and tax services for typical monthly packages.

Thai Company Registration Costs & Timeline 2026

Registering the company itself is quick. The Department of Business Development usually completes incorporation in 1 to 3 business days once documents are signed. What takes longer is everything around it: tax and VAT registration, social security and the bank account. Plan for 10 to 15 business days before the company is fully ready to trade.

Costs depend mostly on your registered capital, because DBD fees scale with it. The capital figure itself is a business decision, shaped by whether you need work permits and by foreign ownership rules, rather than a high legal minimum.

Typical timeline

Day 1: Company name reservation with the DBD (online)
Days 1-3: Sign documents, file memorandum and registration, company affidavit issued
Days 3-7: Corporate tax ID confirmed, VAT registration (Por Por 20) filed where required
Days 5-10: Social security employer registration, bank account documents prepared
Days 10-15: Bank account opened (bank's discretion), company ready to trade

Government fees

Memorandum of association: ฿50 per ฿100,000 capital (minimum ฿500)
Company registration: ฿500 per ฿100,000 capital (minimum ฿5,000)
Name reservation: Free online through the DBD
Affidavit and certified copies: Small per-page DBD fees
Professional fees: Quoted per case after a free assessment

Fees are capped at higher capital levels. Current schedules are published by the DBD at dbd.go.th and tax registration by the Revenue Department at rd.go.th. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Choosing your capital

Legal minimum: two promoters holding at least one share each (minimum par value ฿5).
Work permits: ฿2,000,000 per foreign employee (฿1,000,000 if married to a Thai national).
Foreign shareholding over 25% may require evidence that capital has actually been paid in.
Foreign ownership above 49% only applies to restricted activities under FBA Lists 1 to 3.

Hiring foreign staff? Read our work permit requirements guide, or see BOI benefits for majority foreign ownership.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using nominee shareholders to get around foreign ownership limits. This is illegal under the Foreign Business Act and puts the company and its directors at real risk.

Setting capital too low, then needing a work permit. Increasing capital later means another DBD filing and more fees, so plan for your hiring needs from the start.

Forgetting the ongoing costs. Every company needs monthly filings and an annual audit. Our accounting service keeps this simple from day one.

Frequently asked questions

Once documents are signed and the name is reserved, the Department of Business Development (DBD) usually registers the company in 1 to 3 business days. The full commercial setup, including tax ID, VAT registration where needed, social security and bank account documents, typically takes 10 to 15 business days.