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Surat Thani, known as the province of a thousand islands, is a booming city in Southern Thailand that draws into its fold not just tourists but also international businesses and expatriates. As a result, International laws covering things like business transactions, investments, immigration, and trade, among others, are highly relevant in this region. Dealing with these types of matters often involves understanding various legal requirements and may require liaising with government agencies, private entities, and individuals.
Professional legal assistance can be essential for various circumstances. You may need a lawyer for business-related concerns such as establishing a company, dealing with contracts, or resolving disputes. Other scenarios could include immigration issues such as visa applications, renewals, or addressing potential legal problems. More personal issues like marriage, divorce or inheritance matters involving international laws can also necessitate legal support.
Surat Thani, like other regions in Thailand, is governed by Thai law, within which there are regulations specific to foreigners and international transactions. Land ownership laws limit foreigners' rights to own land. In business, foreign investments are overseen by stringent regulations, and taxes can have implications for foreigners. Labour laws lay out conditions for work permits and employment of foreigners. Immigration laws, which cover visas and residence permits, are also crucial to understand for anyone planning to stay for extended periods.
Foreigners can start a business in Surat Thani but they will need to comply with Thailand's Foreign Business Act, which restricts certain types of businesses and requires some to be majority-owned by Thai nationals.
Thai land ownership laws generally restrict foreigners from owning land. However, exceptions are sometimes made for investors, and there are also legal structures which can give foreigners much the same benefits of ownership.
Besides having a non-immigrant visa, the foreigner must also have a job offer from a Thai employer who will act as their sponsor. Certain conditions must be fulfilled by the sponsoring company too, such as a specified minimum capital and number of Thai employees.
The "One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits" in Bangkok is a government agency specifically established to assist foreigners. Contacting your home country's embassy in Thailand can provide assistance in navigating local laws. There are also numerous legal firms in Surat Thani that offer advice and representation in various languages.
If you find yourself in need of legal advice, you should first identify the area of law your concerns fall under. After that, seek out a reputable legal firm or solicitor who specialises in that area. Preparing a comprehensive list of questions to bring to your first consultation can help make the process more efficient and less daunting.
