Reviewed by ThaiLawOnline, a licensed Thai law firm practising in Thailand since 2006. Thai lawyer of record: Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556.
Last updated on
Updated July 2026, with our real, published fees.
Last reviewed: 3 September 2026. The statement that the Foreign Business Act does not cap foreign shareholding was checked against sections 4 and 8 of the Act in the Thai original: section 4 treats a company registered in Thailand as a foreigner once non-Thais hold half or more of its capital shares, and section 8 restricts a foreigner from the businesses the Act lists. The 45,000 THB fee, and that it covers the government registration fees, were confirmed against the firm’s own fee record on the same date. The other cost figures, timelines and comparisons on this page were not re-verified against a primary source in this review.
Table of Contents
Registering a Thai limited company costs 45,000 THB all-inclusive with our firm, and the process takes 14-21 business days. The fee already covers the government registration fees, the company stamp, translation of the main documents and advice on the preferred shareholding structure; nothing comes on top for a standard registered capital. Here is the full cost picture for foreigners setting up a company in Thailand, with real numbers, not “request a quote”.
Company Setup Costs at a Glance (2026)
| Item | Cost (THB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration (all-inclusive fee) | 45,000 | 14-21 business days |
| Government registration fees | included | covered by the 45,000 THB fee (standard registered capital) |
| Work permit (if needed) | 15,000 | 10-15 business days |
| Contract drafting (shareholder agreements etc.) | 20,000 | 5-10 business days |
| Consultation | 2,000 / hour | within 24-48 h |
The Costs Nobody Tells You About
The registration fee is only part of the story. If a foreign director needs a work permit, the company generally needs 2 million THB in registered capital per work permit and must meet Thai employee ratios. Ongoing costs include monthly accounting and annual audits, required for every Thai company, even dormant ones. And structure matters more than price: since the 2026 enforcement campaign, using Thai nominee shareholders is being actively prosecuted. Read our guide to the nominee crackdown and the full company registration guide before you commit to any structure.
Budget for the paperwork as well as the fees. Since 1 August 2026, Central Registrar Order 2/2569 requires a registration involving foreign participation to arrive with three months of bank statements for each Thai shareholder, a statement for the receiving account (which is the managing partner’s or director’s account, not the company’s), and a signed Investment Explanation Letter tracing the funds transfer by transfer. Gathering those from several shareholders is usually what sets the timeline, not the registrar. The Order also applies where there is no foreign shareholder at all, if a foreign director can bind the company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Thai company?
The Foreign Business Act does not cap foreign shareholding directly. Section 4 treats a company registered in Thailand as a foreigner once non-Thais hold half or more of its capital shares, and a foreigner needs permission to operate the businesses the Act lists. That is why 49% is the usual ceiling in practice, with exceptions (BOI promotion, US Treaty of Amity, certain activities). This is exactly what to discuss in a consultation before spending anything.
Do I have to deposit the registered capital in a bank?
Not always, but if you apply for a work permit, capital requirements are checked. We advise on the right amount for your situation.
What is included in the 45,000 THB fee?
Company name reservation, memorandum of association, registration at the DBD, tax ID, all government registration fees, the company stamp, translation of the main documents, and advice on the preferred shareholding structure for your situation. Some Bangkok firms charge up to 75,000 THB for a comparable package, often with government fees billed on top.
See all our prices on the legal fees page, or book a consultation.
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