Προφίλ συναλλασσόμενης χώρας Ταϋλάνδη

Setting up a company | FDI in figures | Why you should choose to invest | Procedures relative to foreign investment | Finding assistance for further information

Setting up a company

Types of companies and capital (max/min)	Number of partners/shareholders and liability
Public Limited Company. No minimum capital.	Minimum 15 shareholders Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Private Limited Company. Minimum: THB 15	Minimum 3 partners Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Unregistered ordinary partnership. No minimum capital.	Minimum 2 partners. Partners' liability is joint and several.
Registered ordinary partnership No minimum capital.	Minimum 2 partners. Liability is limited to the amount contributed for at least one partner and unlimited for the others.
Limited partnership No minimum capital.	No minimum Liability is limited to the amount contributed for at least one partner and unlimited for the others.

Business setup procedures

Setting up a company	Ταϋλάνδη	East Asia & Pacific
Procedures (number)	7	7.8
Time (days)	32	39.0

πηγή: Doing Business.

For further information: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Thailand.
Thailand Company Registration
Department of Business Development
The competent organization: Department of Business Development

FDI in figures

Foreign Direct Investment	2008	2009	2010
FDI of inward flow (millions USD)	8543.8482763119	4975.930123	5812.975804
FDI inward stock (millions USD)	93045.8666874894	109628.562472051	127257.199523735
Performance Index*, ranking on 141 economies	83/141	70/141	-
Potential Index**, ranking on 141 economies	62/141	-	-
Number of Greenfield investments***	330	273	-
FDI inwards (in % of GFCF****)	11.4355420694456	14.8018066068735	-
FDI stock (in % of GDP)	34.1542425887786	37.5159591125632	-

πηγή:

Note: * The UNCTAD Inward FDI Performance index is based on a ratio of the country's share in global FDI inflows and its share in global GDP. ** The UNCTAD Inward FDI Potential index is based on 12 economic and structural variables such as GDP, foreign trade, FDI, infrastructures, energy use, R&D, education, country risk.*** Green field investments are a form of foreign direct investment where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up. **** Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) measures the value of additions to fixed assets purchased by business, government and households less disposals of fixed assets sold off or scrapped.

Why you should choose to invest Thailand

Strong points

The country's main strong points are:
- A skilled work force in a number of sectors;
- A strategic location at the heart of Asia: the country is an entryway to Southeast Asia and the Upper Mekong Basin region where the emerging markets have great economic potential;
- A governement policy which promotes investment and promoting free-trade: According to the World Bank, Thailand is the 4th Asian country and the 20th in the world where it is easy to do business;
- The existance of a number of government agencies to help investors;
- An investment regime in total harmony with WTO regulations: no restrictions in the manufacturing sector, no local requirements nor export conditions.

Weak points

Other than economic factors, structural factors like the lack of infrastructure or sufficient skilled labor, could influence the level of investments and economic growth. A World Bank report stresses on a key variable for recovery: political stability. Political uncertainty in Thailand was seen by companies as the main drawback to investment. The lack of improvement in the infrastructures and the shortage of skilled workers (linked to the quality of the education) have also limited investments.

Government measures to motivate or restrict FDI

The Thai Boad of Investment (BOI) offers a series of incentives in six industrial sectors, namely eight years of tax exemptions for companies and 50% tax reduction for companies for 5 years, double transport, electricity and re-supply deductions as well as 25% deduction on net profits for establishment and construction costs. The 6 sectors are:
- Agriculture and food;
- Renewable and alternative energies;
- Automobile;
- Electronics, information and communication technologies (ICT);
- Fashion;
- High added value services (including leisure, health and tourism).

The BOI will also implement measure aimed at contributing to the increase of company liquidity. Additionally, it can offer import tax exemption on raw materials required for production aimed at export.

Procedures relative to foreign investment

Finding assistance for further information

Investment aid agency: The Board of Investment
Other useful resources