We are about to create a new LTD company with 49% foreigners share holders. We know exactly what we wanna do but we do not know if it is legal for a foreign owned company to do this kind of business.

Where can I find a list of what a foreign owned business can do or cannot do ?

Any help is much appreciated.

you might get an answer if you would tell us what exactly you want to do....

...would it be a wild assumption that exactly this he doesn't want to - due to the copy cat factor?

It would also be helpful to know your nationality.

...would it be a wild assumption that exactly this he doesn't want to - due to the copy cat factor?

in that case he should rather ask a trustworthy lawyer than a public board...

We are about to create a new LTD company with 49% foreigners share holders. We know exactly what we wanna do but we do not know if it is legal for a foreign owned company to do this kind of business.

Where can I find a list of what a foreign owned business can do or cannot do ?

Any help is much appreciated.

there is a rather comprehensive guide available at http://www.bia.co.th/ called "THAILAND BUSINESS GUIDE".

in chapter 1 it explains all limitations: quote:

"Categories. Businesses covered by the Alien Business Law are divided into Categories A,

B and C. Generally those businesses listed in Category A are absolutely prohibited to

foreigners unless there is an exception contained in a special law or treaty.

Category B businesses owned by aliens which were in existence and actually operating

prior to the enactment of the law were permitted to apply for a special Alien Business

License and to continue operating. Aliens, however, are not permitted to start new

businesses listed in this category unless they obtain special permission from the Board of

Investment.

The businesses listed in Category C are treated in a manner similar to those in Category B

except that the Ministry of Commerce has the power to grant an Alien Business License to

foreigners who wish to start a new business."

unquote

in category A are:

(1)Agriculture

(a)rice farming

(b)salt farming including the manufacture of salt but excluding rock salt mining

(2)Commerce

(a)internal trade concerning local agricultural products.

(b)trade in immovable (real) property.

(3)Services

(a)accounting

(b)law

©architecture (sorry, the copyright sign is introduced automatically by thai-visa editor)

(d)advertising

(e)brokerage or agency

(f)auctioning

(g)haircutting, hairdressing and beauty treatment.

(4)Other Businesses

(a)building construction

a rule of thumb is: don't do what the thais can do themselves

We are about to create a new LTD company with 49% foreigners share holders. We know exactly what we wanna do but we do not know if it is legal for a foreign owned company to do this kind of business.

Where can I find a list of what a foreign owned business can do or cannot do ?

Any help is much appreciated.

there is a rather comprehensive guide available at http://www.bia.co.th/ called "THAILAND BUSINESS GUIDE".

in chapter 1 it explains all limitations: quote:

"Categories. Businesses covered by the Alien Business Law are divided into Categories A,

B and C. Generally those businesses listed in Category A are absolutely prohibited to

foreigners unless there is an exception contained in a special law or treaty.

Category B businesses owned by aliens which were in existence and actually operating

prior to the enactment of the law were permitted to apply for a special Alien Business

License and to continue operating. Aliens, however, are not permitted to start new

businesses listed in this category unless they obtain special permission from the Board of

Investment.

The businesses listed in Category C are treated in a manner similar to those in Category B

except that the Ministry of Commerce has the power to grant an Alien Business License to

foreigners who wish to start a new business."

unquote

in category A are:

(1)Agriculture

(a)rice farming

(b)salt farming including the manufacture of salt but excluding rock salt mining

(2)Commerce

(a)internal trade concerning local agricultural products.

(b)trade in immovable (real) property.

(3)Services

(a)accounting

(b)law

©architecture (sorry, the copyright sign is introduced automatically by thai-visa editor)

(d)advertising

(e)brokerage or agency

(f)auctioning

(g)haircutting, hairdressing and beauty treatment.

(4)Other Businesses

(a)building construction

a rule of thumb is: don't do what the thais can do themselves

Thank you very much for your precious information but since the company will have 49% "aliens" shares and 51% thai, the company will be Thai so does not enter into the regulations, is that correct ?