Business Licences in Thailand

What you need to know

Business licensing in Thailand is activity-specific. Start by listing exactly what the business will do, where it will operate, who will own it and whether it will manufacture, import, sell or advertise regulated goods. Company registration creates the legal entity; it does not by itself grant every licence, permit, notification or approval needed to trade.

Check four layers before committing to premises or opening: foreign-ownership restrictions, sector rules, permissions attached to the premises or location, and product or operational approvals. Restaurants, hotels, tourism businesses, factories, clinics, spas and businesses dealing with regulated products can involve different authorities and separate applications. The correct route depends on the activity and location, so avoid relying only on a company objective or a licence held by another operator.

Use Thailand’s government Biz Portal to identify participating authority services and online applications. If the business is foreign-owned, also check the Foreign Business Act position with the Department of Business Development; a Foreign Business Licence or Certificate is separate from sector-specific permission. Build a register of applications, conditions, renewal dates and responsible people, and obtain every required approval before the regulated activity starts.