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Bangkok Noi, Thailand Attorneys in related practice areas.
Browse our 14 legal questions about Business in Thailand and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
Bangkok Noi is a riverside district on the Thon Buri side of Bangkok with a mix of neighborhood shops, markets, healthcare institutions, hospitality, crafts, and services. Businesses here operate under Thailandwide commercial and regulatory laws, with permits and local administration handled by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Bangkok Noi District Office. Whether you plan to open a cafe near the canal, supply goods to hospitals in the area, or run an online service from a local office, you will interact with national company, tax, labor, immigration, and consumer protection rules, together with districtlevel permits and zoning controls.
Thailand has clear frameworks for company formation, foreign investment, employment, and taxation. However, practical compliance often involves submitting Thai language filings, coordinating with multiple agencies, and understanding sector specific licenses. Many owners seek legal guidance to reduce risk, streamline approvals, and prevent costly mistakes.
- Choosing the right structure and ownership plan, such as a Thai limited company, foreign branch, or BOIpromoted company.
- Navigating foreign ownership limits under the Foreign Business Act and applying for a Foreign Business License or BOI promotion if needed.
- Drafting shareholder agreements, director resolutions, and compliant employment contracts in Thai and English.
- Securing local permits, such as food and beverage licenses, signboard tax registration, and districtlevel approvals.
- Handling visas and work permits for foreign directors and staff, including SMART Visa options for targeted industries.
- Registering for tax, VAT, and social security, and setting up payroll and withholding systems.
- Protecting intellectual property and reviewing advertising and consumer disclosures for ecommerce or brickandmortar businesses.
- Reviewing leases and registering longterm rights at the Land Office, especially for riverfront or heritage sensitive areas.
- Managing disputes with suppliers, landlords, or employees, and choosing court or arbitration strategies.
- Conducting compliance audits on PDPA data privacy, labor safety, and sector specific rules before inspections.
- Business forms and registration. Most small to midsized businesses use a Thai limited company registered with the Department of Business Development under the Civil and Commercial Code. Alternatives include partnerships, a branch office, or a representative office. Company names, objectives, and registered capital are filed with DBD, and annual audited financial statements are mandatory.
- Foreign ownership rules. The Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 restricts foreign majority ownership in many service sectors. Foreigners may operate in unrestricted sectors, obtain a Foreign Business License, partner with Thai shareholders, or seek Board of Investment promotion that can allow 100 percent foreign ownership for eligible activities.
- Taxation. Corporate income tax is generally 20 percent, with SME relief available subject to thresholds. VAT is 7 percent as of 2025, and registration is required when annual turnover exceeds 1.8 million baht. Withholding tax applies to many payments, and employers must register for social security contributions. Efiling and etax invoices are widely used.
- Employment. The Labor Protection Act sets minimum wages, working hours, overtime, holidays, and severance pay. Employers must enroll staff in the Social Security Fund and comply with the Workers Compensation Fund. Written contracts are recommended and should reflect Thai law and Thai language terms.
- Immigration and work permits. Foreign workers and directors generally need a nonimmigrant visa and a work permit under the Employment of Foreign Workers framework. BOI promoted companies and SMART Visas can simplify some steps. Working without the correct status risks fines or deportation.
- Data and ecommerce. The Personal Data Protection Act governs the collection and use of customer and employee data. Ecommerce sellers must provide clear trader details and comply with consumer protection rules. Electronic signatures are recognized under the Electronic Transactions Act.
- Intellectual property. Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are administered by the Department of Intellectual Property. Registration helps prevent infringement and supports takedown and enforcement actions.
- Sector permits. Restaurants and food producers may need Food Act and health permits, alcohol or tobacco retail licenses, and signage approvals. Hotels and guesthouses require Hotel Act licenses. Factories and workshops may fall under the Factory Act and environmental rules.
- Bangkok Noi specifics. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration issues and enforces local permits, signboard tax, and zoning. Certain riverfront and heritage areas have stricter building, signage, and trading controls. Street vending is limited to designated zones and times, and enforcement is active. Always confirm districtlevel rules before signing a lease.
- Disputes. Commercial disputes are heard in Thai courts, with specialized courts for labor, tax, and intellectual property. Arbitration is available under the Arbitration Act, and the Thailand Arbitration Center offers institutional services.
The Thai limited company is the most common choice, offering limited liability, familiar governance, and eligibility for most licenses. Partnerships suit very small ventures but offer less liability protection. Foreign companies may use a branch office to earn revenue or a representative office for nonrevenue support activities. BOI promotion can be layered onto a limited company or branch for incentives.
Yes for some sectors and circumstances. Under the Foreign Business Act, many services are restricted unless you obtain a Foreign Business License or BOI promotion. Manufacturing and export oriented tech projects often qualify for 100 percent foreign ownership through BOI. In unrestricted sectors, 100 percent foreign ownership is already allowed. A lawyer can assess your exact activity description and recommend a compliant structure.
You need a real address in Bangkok Noi or elsewhere in Bangkok that can be inspected, with a lease and landlord consent for company registration and tax registration. Virtual office addresses are acceptable only if they meet DBD and Revenue Department criteria. Certain licenses, such as food service permits, require on site inspections and zoning compliance, so a purely virtual address will not work for those.
Corporate income tax is generally 20 percent. VAT is 7 percent as of 2025 and becomes mandatory once annual turnover exceeds 1.8 million baht, though voluntary registration is possible. Expect withholding tax on payments such as services and rent, monthly social security contributions for employees, and an annual signboard tax if you display a business sign. Accurate bookkeeping and annual audits are required for companies.
Provide at least the statutory minimum wage, follow working hour and overtime limits, grant holidays and leave, issue payslips, withhold personal income tax, and register employees for social security. Terminations must follow lawful procedures and severance rules. Some workplaces require written work rules filed with the Labor Inspectorate. Keep bilingual contracts and policies where foreign staff are involved.
Most foreign directors and staff need a nonimmigrant B visa and a work permit tied to a sponsoring entity that meets capital and Thai staff ratios. BOI promoted companies and SMART Visas can relax some criteria. Working in Thailand without a permit is an offense even for owners. Plan immigration timelines alongside company setup to avoid gaps.
Typical requirements include a food premises permit under the Food Act, health and sanitation approvals, a music or entertainment notification if applicable, and specific licenses to sell alcohol or tobacco. You will also register your signboard with the BMA for signboard tax. Premises must pass inspections on hygiene, ventilation, waste, and fire safety.
Street vending is tightly controlled. Only designated zones and times are permitted, and vendors must obtain a district permit and follow space, hygiene, and safety rules. Enforcement is active and operating outside designated zones can result in confiscation or fines. A licensed market stall within a privately managed market generally requires the market operator to hold primary approvals, but individual vendors still need personal permits and tax registration.
Register your trademark with the Department of Intellectual Property before launch if possible. Keep evidence of use, record licenses or assignments, and monitor for infringement. For creative content, keep dated originals. Use NDAs and clear IP ownership clauses with employees and contractors. Online sellers should also keep proper company details and notices to facilitate enforcement.
English language contracts are enforceable, but authorities and courts operate primarily in Thai. For filings, Thai versions are usually required. For key agreements such as leases, employment, and shareholder documents, prepare bilingual versions with a clause specifying which language prevails. Notarization is not generally required inside Thailand but may be needed for use abroad.
- Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce. Company name reservation, incorporation, and filings. Call center 1570.
- Revenue Department. Corporate tax, VAT, withholding, and etax systems. Call center 1161.
- Social Security Office. Employer registration and contributions. Hotline 1506.
- Department of Employment. Work permit policy and labor oversight. Hotline 1694.
- Immigration Bureau. Business visas and extensions. Hotline 1178.
- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Bangkok Noi District Office. Local permits, signboard tax, and zoning. BMA hotline 1555.
- Office of the Consumer Protection Board. Ecommerce and consumer rights. Hotline 1166.
- Department of Intellectual Property. Trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Hotline 1368.
- Food and Drug Administration. Food premises and product licensing. Hotline 1556.
- Board of Investment. Investment incentives, foreign land ownership in eligible projects, and visa facilitation.
- Thailand Arbitration Center. Commercial arbitration services and model clauses.
- Define your activity. Write a short business description that aligns with DBD activity codes and check if it appears on the Foreign Business Act restricted list.
- Choose a structure. Compare a Thai limited company, branch, or BOI route based on ownership goals, tax burden, and licensing needs.
- Map licenses early. Identify every license and permit your premises and activity require, including districtlevel permissions and signboard tax.
- Prepare core documents. Gather passport or ID copies, lease and landlord consent, capital plan, shareholding structure, and draft bilingual contracts and policies.
- Plan immigration. Align company registration, tax ID, and payroll with visa and work permit timelines for foreign personnel.
- Set up compliance. Register for tax, VAT if applicable, and social security. Implement bookkeeping, payroll withholding, PDPA notices, and health and safety checklists.
- Protect IP. File trademark applications and include IP clauses in employment and vendor contracts.
- Consult a lawyer. Arrange a consultation with a Bangkokbased business lawyer who understands BMA and district procedures in Bangkok Noi. Request a written scope, fee quote, timeline, and a compliance calendar.
- Keep records. Maintain statutory books, minutes, contracts, and inspection reports. Schedule annual audits and license renewals to avoid penalties.
This guide is general information only and is not legal advice. Laws and procedures change. Consult a qualified Thai lawyer for advice tailored to your business in Bangkok Noi.
