Can a business in Thailand be fully foreign-owned?

It depends on the activity. Some activities are open to majority or full foreign ownership, others are restricted and may require a licence or promotion. Corporly assesses your specific activities before confirming a route.

What routes might apply?

Depending on the activity and investor profile, routes can include a standard company with permitted foreign shareholding, a Foreign Business Licence, or BOI promotion. The appropriate route is confirmed after the scope review.

Set Up a Foreign-Owned Business in Thailand

Find the right setup route for a business with foreign shareholders, before anything is filed.

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For: Founders and investors planning a business with foreign shareholders
You get: A route recommendation, then the registration, licence or BOI service that fits
Fee: The route review is quoted after we see your activities and investors. Registration, licence or BOI work is priced separately.

In short

Foreigners can hold shares in a Thai company. Once they hold 50% or more, the company is foreign under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542, and some activities then need a Foreign Business Licence or, for BOI-promoted projects, a Foreign Business Certificate. Corporly, a Thai business legal service led by a Thai-licensed lawyer, reviews your activities and investors and recommends a setup route before anything is filed.

When a company is foreign: Foreigners hold 50% or more of its shares or capital
Routes: Can include registration only, a Foreign Business Licence, or BOI promotion with a Foreign Business Certificate; confirmed after the scope review
Minimum capital for foreigners: At least THB 2 million, and at least THB 3 million for a business that needs a licence (section 14)
Land: A BOI-promoted company may be permitted to own land for the promoted business, as the Board approves
Promoters: A private limited company needs at least two promoters
What Corporly delivers: A route recommendation, then the registration, licence or BOI service that fits
Fee basis: The route review is quoted after we see your activities and investors

Last reviewed: 12 October 2026

What’s covered

Review of activities, investors and structure
Foreign ownership restrictions for your case
Setup route and approvals required
Confirmed scope: documents, fees, next steps
Referral into the right service

Not included

Registering the company or filing applications
Eligibility confirmed before the scope review

How it works

01
Share your plans
Your activities, investors and structure.
02
Scope review
Ownership and licensing considerations reviewed.
03
Route recommendation
The route, with its documents, fees and approvals.

Have ready: Intended activities · Investors and nationality · Proposed shareholding

FAQ

Investment and Market Entry Readiness is a broader, paid written assessment for when the entry structure itself is still open. This service is narrower: you know you are setting up with foreign shareholders and need the route confirmed. The Foreign Business Licence and BOI services then prepare those applications, and Company Registration files the company once the route is confirmed.

The route review is quoted after we see your activities and investors. Registration, licence or BOI work is priced separately.

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