Open a Branch Office in Thailand

Control your Thai Business from Anywhere in the World by Starting a Branch Office in Thailand

open branch office in thailand

Benefits of Setting up a Branch Office in Thailand

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If you are planning to have your presence in Thailand with minimum investment and liability, Open a Branch Office in Thailand as the best solution.

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What Is A Branch Office In Thailand?

Multinational companies willing to operate businesses in Thailand without having to open a limited company usually chose to open a branch office. Unlike a representative office, a branch office is not limited to any non-trading activity and therefore is allowed to earn income.

Taxes That A Branch Office In Thailand Is Subjected To

  • Corporate income tax on its net profits
  • Withholding tax on payments of income to the recipients
  • Personal withholding tax on payments of income to the employees
  • Specific business tax on certain kind of business income transactions
  • Withholding tax on remittances
  • Value Added Tax on sales of goods and services as well as on imports Stamp duty tax on various instruments

How To Establish A Branch Office In Thailand?

  • All the necessary documents must be notarized
  • The documents submitted to the Commercial Registrar must be certified by the Thai
  • Next, the foreign business must be registered with the Revenue Department
  • A resident representative should be appointed to deal with the tax authorities
  • Working capital of at least 3-5 million baht must be shown to establish a branch in Thailand
  • Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks to complete the process, from collecting documents to obtaining certification from the Commercial Service Office. However, registration by the Thai government may take a few weeks to a few months.

Understanding Representative Office, Branch Office And Regional Office In Thailand

Representative Office

Allowed to conduct a wide range of activity, like buy and sell goods, render services, sign contracts and build things.

It can;

(a) Do everything that a representative office does.

(b) Regularly buy and sell goods and services

(c) Get involved in manufacturing, processing and construction like any other local company, provided Thai laws doesn’t prohibit it doing.

Branch Office

Allowed to contact customers/clients and enter into contracts on behalf of the head office, but can’t make sales.

It can;

(a) Contact customers to introduce its head office to them

(b) Research commercial information and provide the information to the head office

(c) Do market research.

(d) Market goods at trade fairs

(e) Rent an office and employ staff

(f) Enter into contracts with local clients/customers on behalf of the head office

Regional Office

A Regional Office in Thailand can conduct the following activities:

a) Communicate, coordinate and direct, on behalf of the head office

b) The operation of branches and affiliates which are located in the region

c) Provide services in consulting and management

d) Training and personnel development

e) Financial management

f) Marketing control and sales promotion planning

g) Product development

h) Services in research and development

Required Documents for a Branch Office in Thailand

Requirements:

  1. Memorandum of Incorporation
  2. Articles of Association
  3. Affidavit of the Manager setting forth the following:
  4. Name of the corporation
  5. Date and number of Registration
  6. Registered office address of the corporation;
  7. Name, address, nationality, age of the director(s) plus the number of shares held
  8. Authorized capital stock
  9. Number of shares as well as its par value
  10. Amount of paid up capital stock

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes it is because it needs to be verified whether your business falls within the scope of Thai regulations and laws.

A branch office is established to generate profit for the parent company.

It is always more preferable to hire a professional who has an in-depth understanding of the Thai laws. Legal things are quite complex, especially when you are in a foreign land, so better leave it upon the legal experts.

Yes, because a branch office generates income for the foreign company, so as soon as the branch office is registered you must register for VAT and a Commercial Certificate.

Usually, a branch office is permitted to operate for 5 years that can be extended, provided the required minimum capital is met.

As a branch office is considered to be a permanent establishment of the foreign corporation, it is crucial to have a resident representative to handle the tax authorities and who else can be better than a legal expert.

The professional fee is approximately 180,000 baht.

Nothing much! Just answer these simple questions and mail us;

  • The investment size
  • The number of foreigners (who would be getting a work permit under this company)
  • What is the company’s objective (some objective will require additional licenses, and sometime the objective will allow the company to apply for a special incentives under the BOI)
  • Does the investor have any Thai partner in this business venture?
  • The desired location of the business or do you have a place in Thailand that could be used as the registered address of the company?