Home - Foreign Business Act – Table of Contents
Last updated on April 12, 2026
Table of Contents
Businesses absolutely prohibited to foreigners for special reasons related to Thai sovereignty and cultural identity.
Businesses related to national safety, security, arts, culture, natural resources, and environment requiring Cabinet approval.
Businesses in which Thai nationals are not yet ready to compete with foreigners, requiring Director-General approval.
Defines key terms including "foreigner," "Thai national," and "business."
Foreigners are prohibited from operating businesses in List One (Annex A) for special reasons.
Foreigners may operate List Two businesses only with Cabinet approval upon recommendation of the Committee.
Foreigners may operate List Three businesses with approval from the Director-General with Committee recommendation.
Exemptions for foreigners operating under treaties, BOI, or IEAT.
The business lists may be amended by Royal Decree.
The Minister may issue ministerial regulations for implementation.
Minimum capital not less than 3 million Baht.
Business must commence within one year of license issuance.
Foreign businesses must have an office and responsible person in Thailand.
Operating without a license carries imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 THB.
Making false statements in an application carries imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to 100,000 THB.
Thai persons acting as nominees for foreigners to circumvent the Act face imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 THB.
Foreigners who use nominees to circumvent the Act face the same penalties as Section 36.
Violating license or certificate conditions carries a fine up to 500,000 THB.
Obstructing inspection or refusing to comply with summons carries imprisonment up to 1 year and/or fine up to 50,000 THB.
Failure to display license or certificate carries a fine up to 10,000 THB.
Directors and responsible persons of a juristic person are jointly liable for offenses committed by the juristic person.
Continuing violations incur additional daily fines of 10,000 to 50,000 THB per day.
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