Looking For Legal Help With Visa And Setting Up A Company

[Flowerpot]

Hi all.

I'm looking for a solicitor to get some legal work done. Nothing complicated, just visas and setting up a company. Any suggestions who is good/reliable/cheap?

[Sunbelt Asia]

Our expert Legal Advisors can with visas, work permit and company setup and legal issues.

www.sunbeltasia.com

26th Floor Fortune Town BR, 1 Ratchadapisek Rd, 10400 Bangkok

Tel: 02-642-0213 Fax: 02-641-1995

Follow us on:

[jsnho]

Our expert Legal Advisors can with visas, work permit and company setup and legal issues.

www.sunbeltasia.com

26th Floor Fortune Town BR, 1 Ratchadapisek Rd, 10400 Bangkok

Tel: 02-642-0213 Fax: 02-641-1995

Follow us on:

website should be www. sunbeltasiagroup.com

[JohanV]

I set up my Thai company with the help of these guys:

Inter Consultants Ltd.

Mr Aye

Main: +66 2 381 06 79

Other: +66 2 712 82 05

Fax: +66 2 381 26 87

399/48 Thonglor 21 Lane

Sukhumvit 55 Rd. Wattana

Bangkok 10110

THAILAND

They were very professional and helpful. I have used them for over ten years now.

They also helped to open a business bank account. They can sort you out with the BOI - tax exemption etc. if you're into that.

They have also helped me with other issues - a divorce - a legal case for a friend - etc. and always been giving excellent service.

They can do Notary Public services and court case soliciting as well. Haven't talked to them for two years now, but I guess they are still there..

delivering all documents in english as well on request.

Mr Aye is the senior guy and you should talk to him or Mr Thanee.

About your company:

If possible - think about what zone to locate it in. ( the zoning description below is approximate )

Zone 1 = Bangkok

Zone 2 = Bangkok surroundings

Zone 3 = Rural area [ Isaan etc. ]

Your tax & bookkeeping rules, and also the requirements for what you need in startup capital etc. are different depending on the zone.

Generally - you get more government support, subsidies etc. in Zone 3 or 2.

At least this was true last time I checked, which was some two-three years ago. I guess it still is.

Good luck

[JohanV]

Another thing to consider carefully is the shared ownership of your company-to-be.

I guess you know that foreigners are not allowed to own a majority in a Thai company, which limits you to a maximum of 49% ownership.

Some law firms offer to arrange a system of nominees - basically spreading out the Thai part on small lots of 2-3% each

on a lot of people who don't know each other - thus giving you a solid control even though you only have 49%.

I would not recommend that. You will have a problem locating them all if you i.e. want to change law firm later etc.

A better way is to involve a trusted friend - of Thai origin of course.

If you do it ONLY with your wife/GF/spouse it will be:

you: 49%

her: 51%

Better to do it with a third part involved ( who you can trust to be on your side )

You: 48%

Her: 48% or 47%

Your friend; 4-5%

Also, if I remember it right, there might be a requirement for at least three board members.

Whatever you do, keep your in-laws/her family out of it!

Also make sure to register a wide range of objectives for your business, as the objectives ( type of business ) you

specify will determine what is tax-deductable and not in your bookkeeping.

Cheers

[bazmlb]

Another thing to consider carefully is the shared ownership of your company-to-be.

I guess you know that foreigners are not allowed to own a majority in a Thai company, which limits you to a maximum of 49% ownership.

Some law firms offer to arrange a system of nominees - basically spreading out the Thai part on small lots of 2-3% each

on a lot of people who don't know each other - thus giving you a solid control even though you only have 49%.

I would not recommend that. You will have a problem locating them all if you i.e. want to change law firm later etc.

A better way is to involve a trusted friend - of Thai origin of course.

If you do it ONLY with your wife/GF/spouse it will be:

you: 49%

her: 51%

Better to do it with a third part involved ( who you can trust to be on your side )

You: 48%

Her: 48% or 47%

Your friend; 4-5%

Also, if I remember it right, there might be a requirement for at least three board members.

Whatever you do, keep your in-laws/her family out of it!

Also make sure to register a wide range of objectives for your business, as the objectives ( type of business ) you

specify will determine what is tax-deductable and not in your bookkeeping.

Cheers

There must be a minimum of 3 shareholders, unless its a Limited Partnership, then it can be two, but the shareholding must be higher on the Thai side with a limited partnership than 51%

[JohanV]

There must be a minimum of 3 shareholders, unless its a Limited Partnership, then it can be two, but the shareholding must be higher on the Thai side with a limited partnership than 51%

I have a Limited Partnership Thai side 48% + 4% = 52% My side 48%.

But.. 52% is more than 51%, that's very true..

It was registered in 2002. Maybe the rules have changed since then.

[Flowerpot]

Thanks for the replies, very useful.

Someone gave ma the name Thai Legal Pro, run by a Dutch or German guy. Anything known? Anyone have experience of them? Are they honest?

[Mario2008]

1 post deleted. Naming and shaming is not allowed on the forum. You can recommend or not recommend, but not go into any specifics.

[frankyasia]

After some disappointing experiences, 10 years ago, we had the good fortune to run into:

MSNA LTD.

47 Soi Pokaew, Nawamin Rd.

Klongchan, Bangkapi,

Bangkok 10240

Tel. 02.949 7239

Fax. 02.948 3934

Ask for Khun Rad

They are handling the bookkeeping for the Brittish- and American Chambers of Commerce, among others.

Taxation, Audits, Payroll, Company Set-up,

Work permits, Visa and many more.

We work with them for 10 years now and never looked back