Built for Foreigners, by Foreigners – Here’s What You Need to Know: Thinking about starting a business in Thailand? You're in good company. The Land of Smiles is one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich places in Southeast Asia — but for foreign entrepreneurs, it also comes with a unique set of rules and roadblocks.

At Thai-Co, we’ve been in your shoes. We’re foreigners who built our own businesses in Thailand, and we created Thai-Co to make that process dramatically easier for others. Below, we outline three common challenges — and the practical, proven solutions that help you move forward with confidence.

Challenge 1: Thai Majority Ownership Requirement

The Issue:
Under Thai law, most business sectors require a company to be at least 51% Thai-owned. This understandably causes concern for foreign founders — especially those without an existing local partner, or who are unsure how to structure the company while retaining control.

The Solution:
The key is to build a structured Thai-majority partnership that is both compliant and aligned. At Thai-Co, we facilitate partnerships with carefully vetted Thai partners who have a clear, documented role — not just in fulfilling legal obligations, but in supporting the long-term success of the business. These partnerships are built on trust, transparency, and written agreements that define each party’s scope, authority, and responsibilities.

As the foreign founder, you will typically serve as the Managing Director with full signing authority and day-to-day operational control. Our process ensures that decision-making power remains where it should: with you. Meanwhile, the Thai partner’s role is clearly limited to a shareholder capacity — with agreed terms that prevent interference in operations unless contractually defined otherwise.

This isn’t about finding a passive face for the company. It’s about building a structure that satisfies regulatory requirements while protecting your interests and offering peace of mind. It's a true alignment of interests, not a shortcut — and it works.

Challenge 2: Bureaucracy, Paperwork, and Language Barriers

The Issue:
Setting up a company in Thailand involves more than just submitting forms. There’s the Department of Business Development (DBD), Ministry of Commerce, tax registration, possible licenses, and a lot of official paperwork — much of it in Thai. Without local expertise, it’s easy to get stuck or make mistakes that lead to delays or rejections.

The Solution:
Thai-Co provides full white-glove support, handling everything from company name reservation and document filing to DBD registration and compliance coordination. We translate what matters, file what’s needed, and keep everything aligned with Thai requirements — so you don’t waste time chasing unclear checklists or government offices.

We also advise on ongoing compliance, such as bookkeeping, shareholder meeting minutes, and yearly filings. You don’t need to be an expert in Thai bureaucracy — that’s our job. You focus on building your business; we’ll make sure the structure around it stays solid.

Challenge 3: Opening a Corporate Bank Account

The Issue:
Even with a registered company, opening a business bank account in Thailand isn’t always straightforward. Banks differ in policy, and some require your director to have a long-term visa or work permit. Walking in cold, especially on a tourist visa, often ends in frustration.

The Solution:
We make it easy. Thai-Co works with banks that understand foreign entrepreneurs and are familiar with our setup structures. We help prepare all the documents, guide you through the process, and when needed, introduce you directly to our contacts inside the bank to streamline approvals.

Where additional steps are required (such as proof of visa or local presence), we advise you early — so there are no surprises. Once the account is open, you’ll be able to fund your business, pay vendors, and operate with confidence.

Build Your Business on a Strong, Compliant Foundation

You don’t need to cut corners or take risks to launch your business in Thailand. You need the right partner.

At Thai-Co, we’ve created a setup model that’s fast, compliant, and designed to keep you in control — all while fulfilling Thai regulatory requirements. We’ve done it for ourselves, and we’ve helped many other foreign founders do the same.

Our clients choose us because we’re not just another consulting firm. We’re founders. We’ve lived the frustrations, solved the problems, and built a system that works — legally, reliably, and with your long-term goals in mind.

Thinking about starting your Thai company soon?
Let’s talk about your timeline, goals, and how we can structure things to suit you. Whether you're already in Thailand or just planning your move, we're here to help you every step of the way.

Start with clarity. Build with confidence.
That’s the Thai-Co way.