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Thai Company Set Up Service

Representative Office in Thailand

Would you like to study Thai market and/or market your products and services without paying any taxes? You may do so through registering a Representative Office in Thailand.

Thai Company Registration Service

Representative Office in Thailand

Register your Thai private limited company without unnecessary hassle. Just choose your new business name and address and we will take care of everything else. The company registration process can take as little as one week.

Representative Office


A Representative Office allows the foreign investor who may be considering entering the Thai market to evaluate potential market opportunities without the need to establish a subsidiary in Thailand. The purpose is to provide services to its foreign head office or related businesses. The services it can provide are limited, it is not allowed to accept purchase orders; offer sales; engage in business negotiations, or even generate any profit (not on its own account, nor on behalf of the parent company – it can only sign contracts that are essential for its own operations, such as, lease agreement). The operation of the Representative office must be completely financed by the foreign head office.

Overview of a Representative Office in Thailand

Foreign Ownership

Up to 100%

Capital Requirements

Minimum 3 million THB paid up capital

Tax Rate

No tax obligations because no income is permitted in Thailand

Foreign Business Validation

Will be issued upon approval of the set up

Business Restrictions

Not allowed to earn income and restricted to the business for which the Representative Office is registered

Set Up Duration

1 week

Allowed Activities

It must be noted that a Representative Office is strictly subject to 5 activities performed on behalf of their foreign head offices as follows:

  • Searching for local sources of goods or services
  • Inspecting and controlling the quality and quantity of goods purchased or ordered to be manufactured in Thailand
  • Providing information concerning goods of the head office sold directly to local distributors and consumers
  • Introducing new goods or services of the head office
  • Reporting to the head office regarding business trends, developments and activities in Thailand

Regulatory Requirements

  1. No more Foreign Business Validation! – effective since June 9, 2017 (the “Regulation”)
  2. Capital Requirements: certain amount to be remitted from its head office overseas! The new Regulation also prescribes to maintain at least THB 2,000,000 in minimum capital, instead of at least THB 3,000,000 as previously required.
  3. DBD Set Up: To be registered at the Ministry of Commerce (Department of Business Development) and obtaining a 13-digit set up number
  4. Representative Officer: Fulfilling the requirements such as qualification, Thai residency, employment arrangements and at times, supporting documents
  5. Work Permit: from the usual Thai to foreign employee ratio of 4:1 quota to 1 per 1
  6. Tax Set Up: despite not being subject to it, they still must register and submit returns to RD.
  7. Accounting- must be monthly and Audit has to be done yearly.

A Representative Office can now be set up within one week, whereas in the past it took three to four months to obtain official permission in the form of a Foreign Business Validation.

Application Process

The following documents must be submitted to the Department of Business Development:

  1. Foreign Head Office documents containing name, capital, place, directors, authorized signatories, financial statement of the past three years.
  2. Number of shareholders – stating nationalities and number of shares held.
  3. Office Address in Thailand, with map and ownership or possession of the office space (lease agreement)
  4. Employee details – number, name, salaries
  5. Reason for Representative Office
  6. Explaining the following:
    • Business forecast for upcoming 3 years
    • Type, Size and Period intended to operate
    • Stages of Operations
    • Machinery / Equipment used
    • Impact on Thai economy
    • Spending estimate for 3 years
    • Plan for importing foreign technology
How Umpire Legal Can Help

We Take Worry & Uncertainty Out of Registering a Representative Office

Let our legal team strip you of the worries and responsibilities regarding the company registration and do the heavy lifting for you. We will reliably guide you through the entire process from start to finish and can even help with the post-registration services, such as immigration, tax filing, business compliance and more.
How Umpire Legal Can Help

We Take Worry & Uncertainty Out of Registering a Representative Office

Let our legal team strip you of the worries and responsibilities regarding the company set up and do the heavy lifting for you. We will reliably guide you through the entire process from start to finish and can even help with the post-set-up services, such as immigration, tax filing, business compliance and more.

Fast Communication

Our English-speaking lawyers communicate promptly and with clarity.

Value for Money

Our pricing is affordable and designed to fit your budget.

No Hidden Costs

There are no more hidden fees or unexpected surprises hiding around the corner.

No Forms to Fill In

You will never have to touch any legal form (apart from signing it).

Some of the Companies We Helped Register

Ready to Get Started?

Start your Thai business with a peace of mind knowing that it is set up on sound legal foundations and with your best interest in heart.

Questions Before You Begin?

Set up a FREE consultation with our lawyers to consult your business & legal needs. The first consultation valued at 2,000 THB is on us.