Am seeking the low-down opening a business at Pattaya Beach legally

[thesetat]

Does anyone have the nitty gritty on the who and what offices I would need to speak to and visit to open a small business outdoors on the beach in Pattaya. IE: Police to speak to, office to obtain permissions, local payoffs, anything that is serious and would aid would be helpful. Also, perhaps an insurance waiver form to make for customers. Any help to get me started with the correct information would be helpful. Thanks

Can PM if wanting to also 

[transam]

2 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Does anyone have the nitty gritty on the who and what offices I would need to speak to and visit to open a small business outdoors on the beach in Pattaya. IE: Police to speak to, office to obtain permissions, local payoffs, anything that is serious and would aid would be helpful. Also, perhaps an insurance waiver form to make for customers. Any help to get me started with the correct information would be helpful. Thanks

Can PM if wanting to also 

You are Thai...?

[0ffshore360]

9 minutes ago, transam said:

You are Thai...?

Sam, I think the op was hoping for straight answers rather than a slow interrogation.

[thesetat]

10 minutes ago, transam said:

You are Thai...?

American.. i am able to own 100% of business. But last option would be to use Thai wife as owner

[transam]

2 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Sam, I think the op was hoping for straight answers rather than a slow interrogation.

I was thinking of readers like yourself...😉

[transam]

What sort of business......?

[thesetat]

5 minutes ago, transam said:

What sort of business......?

a water sport business. family orientated. 

 

[johng]

Ok I'll be first to say it...don't even think about getting involved with this "beach water sport family business" unless you have a very trusted and street smart Thai who already has the needed connections at the Police,beach mafia and town hall..if you had that Thai person then you wouldn't need to ask here so...just don't  😋  You can thank me later for the warning after the big kerfuffle,machete fight and hospital visit !!!

[transam]

Just now, johng said:

Ok I'll be first to say it...don't even think about getting involved with this "beach water sport family business" unless you have a very trusted and street smart Thai who already has the needed connections at the Police,beach mafia and town hall..if you had that Thai person then you wouldn't need to ask here so...just don't  😋  You can thank me later for the warning after the big kerfuffle,machete fight and hospital visit !!!

Yes, indeed.....🤔

[ChaiyaTH]

Dream on unless you have money or contacts, I could hook you up, but won't be cheap. There is a reason why most beaches lack activities, or things missing, you are not having a creative unique idea, it is just the first sentence that is the issue.

[0ffshore360]

I do have to say that although at first appearances such a business might seem lucrative trying to either muscle in to an existing or creating something  novel that will quickly be cloned many times over even if  just to squeeze yours out.

Legally or not the stress versus viability has ,IMO, more chances to fail than succeed.

Backing a Thai venture might do better  but also unlikely to be financially rewarding to  yourself.

But then again he who dares  wins right ? Keep  an eye on the sucker prize !

 

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Backing a Thai venture might do better  but also unlikely to be financially rewarding to  yourself.

 

i've seen the rewards doing this. It is not viable as the owner can simply change the name and you lose everything. It is too easy to lose an investment this way dealing with backing others. 

 

Besides. I was seeking specific information. It seems all i am getting are warnings and advice not do try what i am thinking to do. 

[champers]

A water sports business with customers signing an insurance waiver form. Why?

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, thesetat said:

American.. i am able to own 100% of business.

For beach water sports?  Are you sure, which route are you taking for that business category, FBL, BOI or Treaty of Amity?

[thesetat]

8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

For beach water sports?  Are you sure, which route are you taking for that business category, FBL, BOI or Treaty of Amity?

treaty. AS i know it Americans still have the treaty allowing them to own 100% of business in Thailand. 

[ignore it]

18 hours ago, thesetat said:

American.. i am able to own 100% of business. But last option would be to use Thai wife as owner

Use my wife.  Everybody else did before we married.

[Srikcir]

Never been to Pattaya Beach but as a general guide:

"9 essential tips to start a water sports business"

By Kevin Tjoe — 24 Aug 2023 Rezdy newsletter

Best first if not already to visit Pattya Beach to get a good impression of what type of people visit/live there who enjoy or might enjoy water sports, check with travel agencies and online travel blogs (ie., trip advisor) and videos on water sports for the area.

Personally, I'd say use your experience and knowledge as a foreigner who can bring something unique that maybe even a Thai might not successfully copy.

Just brainstorming, what about a virtual water sport reality experience on the beach? Or go Cayman Island submarine style venture.

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

what about a virtual water sport reality experience on the beach?

What on earth does that mean?

[fulhamster]

19 hours ago, thesetat said:

American.. i am able to own 100% of business. But last option would be to use Thai wife as owner

Even if you got the business up and running, you would need some kind of work permit even for talking to customers.

And pretty sure that your business model is reserved for Thais only.

[AustinRacing]

18 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

Even if you got the business up and running, you would need some kind of work permit even for talking to customers.

And pretty sure that your business model is reserved for Thais only.

Yeah. Before anything find out whether you’re allowed to own such a business. If yes, you’ll need to deal with the work permit if you wish to be engaged in running it. Lastly there are quite a few water related family places in pattaya. Starting a business that may be in conflict with another business with ties to local authorities (bribes) would not receive a warm welcome. Not an issue if you like dramas. 

[Wuvu2]

17 hours ago, thesetat said:

Besides. I was seeking specific information. It seems all i am getting are warnings and advice not do try what i am thinking to do. 

Perhaps you should be talking to a business consultant or an attorney if you are not satisfied with our services  😉

[geisha]

Has anyone seen/ met a foreigner/American who has a beach business in Thailand ? I vaguely remember a French man who had a beach in Pattaya about 20 yrs back which was really his girlfriends/ wife.  Otherwise, being a former beach lover ( not in Pattaya!) I have been to many beautiful beaches all over Thailand , if not all, and have never seen a foreign run beach/ activity. 
I think in Phuket there were surf shops that rented their boards out, that’s all.

[SAFETY FIRST]

21 hours ago, thesetat said:

Does anyone have the nitty gritty on the who and what offices I would need to speak to and visit to open a small business outdoors on the beach in Pattaya

City Hall 

 

Pattaya Nua, opposite Lotus's 

 

You looking at becoming a beach chair vendor?

 

[d4dang]

Do something else somewhere else....you will be much happier

[Homburg]

The warnings being posted here are possibly the best free advice that you will ever receive.  Don't even think about it unless you have powerful, connected friends able (and willing? - and if so, how much will that cost?) to manage the BIB, various tax authorities and City Hall. Google "Pattaya jet ski scam". That will give you an idea of some other challenges you are likely to face.  If you start a business there then even when you believe that you have all the necessary permits, permissions and payoffs in place you will find yourself assailed by a constant stream of "officials" (some genuine, others less so, and even the fake officials can be accompanied by the BIB to make you believe that they are genuine) with eye-watering "fines" that you will have to pay due to an alleged transgression of a law or failure to pay a "tax" of which you were unaware, or failure to get a permit the obtention of which is impossible, and even the genuine officials will hit you with trumped-up fines/taxes - because they can. As a foreigner, you are the low-hanging fruit. 

[thesetat]

12 minutes ago, Homburg said:

and if so, how much will that cost?) to manage the BIB, various tax authorities and City Hall.

these are the things i was asking about. In your comment you invariably gave me very little information I am seeking.. Now if only someone can tell me who in BIB is best to talk to.. What office in City Hall I need to go make inquiries, and which tax authorities. 

 

21 hours ago, thesetat said:

Does anyone have the nitty gritty on the who and what offices I would need to speak to and visit to open a small business outdoors on the beach in Pattaya. IE: Police to speak to, office to obtain permissions, local payoffs, anything that is serious and would aid would be helpful

pretty obvious questions i asked yet you alone invariably gave me some small amount of what I was inquiring about. 

[Captain Monday]

Don't. The worst that can happen is you actually succeed

Copycats. Then the hassles and handouts make it not worth continuing.

Everyone loses.

 

[thesetat]

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Never been to Pattaya Beach but as a general guide:

"9 essential tips to start a water sports business"

By Kevin Tjoe — 24 Aug 2023 Rezdy newsletter

Best first if not already to visit Pattya Beach to get a good impression of what type of people visit/live there who enjoy or might enjoy water sports, check with travel agencies and online travel blogs (ie., trip advisor) and videos on water sports for the area.

Personally, I'd say use your experience and knowledge as a foreigner who can bring something unique that maybe even a Thai might not successfully copy.

Just brainstorming, what about a virtual water sport reality experience on the beach? Or go Cayman Island submarine style venture.

Thanks for the reply. I have no doubt that I could make the business profitable. I also have many contacts in China to gain contracts from travel agencies to make my activity a part of a tour groups. 

I would not personally be operating the business. But i would be managing/monitoring it and am aware of the immigration laws needed for this as well. 

[transam]

10 minutes ago, thesetat said:

these are the things i was asking about. In your comment you invariably gave me very little information I am seeking.. Now if only someone can tell me who in BIB is best to talk to.. What office in City Hall I need to go make inquiries, and which tax authorities. 

 

pretty obvious questions i asked yet you alone invariably gave me some small amount of what I was inquiring about. 

I think first you should enquire at the office that issues work permits, can't think of the name, get a Thai to explain all that you want to do, they will tell all.

 

The police I would have thought have nothing to do with it, you will find out about that after you start up......😉

Be warned, if you step on anyone's Thai toes, encroaching on their business, be very careful....🤔

[digbeth]

those who know wouldn't tell you, 

 

if you're an outsider how much can you 'research' like sit on the beach and observe the power dynamics of the beach vendor on who pays whom and talk to who appears to be the big boss? 

or start hustling and see who shows up and offer to 'clear' things for you

 

even if you approach someone who say they can sort it for you, how will you not be scammed?