Last updated on April 18, 2026
The Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) is the principal statute regulating the activities that foreign-owned companies may carry out in Thailand. It lists restricted businesses in three schedules and requires either a Foreign Business Licence, a Foreign Business Certificate (for BOI or Treaty of Amity companies), or qualification under a bilateral treaty. Penalties for unlicensed operation include imprisonment up to three years and substantial fines.