- What is a Thailand Representative Office and how does it differ from a Thai company?
- A Representative Office (Rep Office) is a registered legal presence of a foreign company in Thailand. Unlike a Thai company (limited company or BOI entity), a Rep Office cannot earn revenue, sign commercial contracts for profit, or engage in trading locally. Its permitted activities are limited to market research, liaison with customers and suppliers, and sourcing of goods on behalf of the foreign head office. It is the right structure for companies that need a visible presence and local staff in Thailand without intending to generate Thai-source revenue.
- Which types of foreign company are eligible to open a Thailand Rep Office?
- Thailand's Department of Business Development (DBD) accepts Rep Office applications from foreign entities in a limited set of jurisdictions. We currently support: Hong Kong Limited (Ltd), Singapore Private Limited (Pte Ltd), United States LLC, United States C-Corporation, United Kingdom Limited (Ltd), and United Kingdom LLP. If your entity is incorporated elsewhere, please contact us before purchasing, as additional complexity may apply.
- What documents does my foreign company need to provide for legalisation?
- You will need a certified copy of your company's Certificate of Incorporation (or equivalent), a company affidavit or certificate of good standing, and a Power of Attorney authorising a representative to act in Thailand. These documents must typically be notarised and apostilled (or legalised through the Thai embassy in your jurisdiction) before submission to the DBD. We guide you through this process and coordinate with your local notary or government authority.
- Can the Rep Office hire staff and apply for work permits?
- Yes. A Thailand Representative Office can hire foreign employees and apply for Non-Immigrant B visas and work permits on their behalf. Typically, a Rep Office must maintain at least one local Thai staff member for every foreign employee. Work permits are issued by the Department of Employment (DOE) and require evidence of the Rep Office's registration and sufficient capitalisation.
- How long does the Rep Office registration take?
- From the point at which all foreign company documents have been notarised, apostilled, and delivered to us, the Ministry of Commerce (DBD) filing typically takes 4–8 weeks. Coordinating the legalisation of foreign documents beforehand can add several weeks depending on your jurisdiction. Our service covers the full process from document preparation through to the tax certificate issued by the Revenue Department.
- Are government and filing fees included in the service price?
- No. Thai government fees payable to the Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Revenue Department are separate from our service fee. Notarisation, apostille, and any legalisation costs in your home country are also payable separately to the relevant authority. We provide a clear cost breakdown before you start.