Compare the practical purpose of each structure
| Option | Starting question | Further review |
|---|---|---|
| Thai limited company | Does a separate Thai company fit the business, ownership and governance plan? | Shareholders, directors, capital, authority, tax and foreign-business restrictions. |
| Partnership | Does the proposed partnership form fit the partners’ roles and risk? | Registration, management authority, liability and tax consequences. |
| Sole proprietorship | Can this individual lawfully conduct the proposed activity in this form? | Personal responsibility, registration, foreign-business and work restrictions. |
| Branch of an overseas company | Should the overseas company carry on the intended Thai operations through a branch? | Parent liability, local registration, permitted activity, tax and remittance evidence. |
| Representative office | Is the proposed work within the permitted representative-office scope? | Actual activities, parent support and restrictions; not a shortcut for ordinary local trading. |
Check activity and ownership together
List the real revenue-generating and support activities rather than relying only on a broad company objective. Have the proposed ownership and activities reviewed against the current Foreign Business Act framework and any relevant permission, exemption, treaty or promotion route. Do not use nominal shareholders to disguise the actual arrangement.
BOI promotion is a separate application for eligible activities and conditions. A registered company name or certificate alone does not establish every operating right or permission for a foreign owner to work. Resolve these questions before committing to premises or a trading launch.
Keep a written decision record
Record the selected form, alternatives considered, genuine owners, who can sign, funding plan and the professional advice obtained. Include the expected accounting, tax, licence, employment and reporting work. Compare continuing obligations as well as the initial registration cost.
Use the detailed structure guides for a focused discussion with a qualified Thai adviser and the responsible authority. A comparison tool can help organise choices, but it cannot determine the legal result for an undisclosed activity or ownership arrangement.
Useful next steps
Limited company
Review ownership, governance and registration.
Limited company: operator information
Partnership
Compare forms and partners’ responsibilities.
Partnership: operator information
Sole proprietorship
Check eligibility and personal exposure.
Sole proprietorship: operator information
Branch office
Review parent and Thai operating responsibilities.
Branch office: operator information
Representative office
Check the permitted non-trading scope.
Representative office: operator information
BOI promotion
Investigate an eligible activity and conditions.