toddy Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 The Foreign Business Act defines an alien as 'somebody not of Thai nationality'. It then goes on to state in List 3 of business areas prohibited to 'aliens', unless special permission is granted, that an 'alien' may not engage in activities of retail of any kind of goods in a retail operation that holds less than 20million baht in stock at each store. Therefore my questions are: If I want to form a partnership with my wife OR form a company to open a foreign food shop or bar or restaurant, then I think this is still NOT LEGAL as I would be an alien engaged in retail business at an outlet holding less than 20million baht in stock - am I correct or not? How then are there so many foreigners in Thailand operating bars / small supermarkets if this contradicts the Alien Business Act? Even though an alien acting as a manager in these kind of establishments is not serving on the floor, he/she is still an alien working in a trade that requires special permission, no? Confused!?!??! Help please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~G~ Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 The Foreign Business Act defines an alien as 'somebody not of Thai nationality'. It then goes on to state in List 3 of business areas prohibited to 'aliens', unless special permission is granted, that an 'alien' may not engage in activities of retail of any kind of goods in a retail operation that holds less than 20million baht in stock at each store.Therefore my questions are: If I want to form a partnership with my wife OR form a company to open a foreign food shop or bar or restaurant, then I think this is still NOT LEGAL as I would be an alien engaged in retail business at an outlet holding less than 20million baht in stock - am I correct or not? Not correct. It will be perfectly legal. As a foreigner you can do that as long as you have up to 49% of the shares. Then the body engaging in the activity is not foreign. How then are there so many foreigners in Thailand operating bars / small supermarkets if this contradicts the Alien Business Act?Two options: 1. They formed a limitied partnership or company, having up to 49% of shares 2. They are doing it illegaly Even though an alien acting as a manager in these kind of establishments is not serving on the floor, he/she is still an alien working in a trade that requires special permission, no? As a foreigner you can work almost in any job as long as you have a work permit. Serve, manage, whatever. That is as long as the commercial body operating the business isn't foreign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indo-Siam Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Toddy - Go to http://www.thailawforum.com/database1/foreign.html Look at Section 4, Subsection 3). Once you parse this out, you find that a company is "Thai" so long as a majority of its shares are held byThais. Cheers! Steve Indo-Siam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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