Starting Bussines And Work Permit

[taninthai]

hi

my girlfriend has been running a small resort for a while their is no company or regisration we now want to get myself (farang) involved in this company and register it with me as 49% share holder and then apply for a work permit ,any simple explanation how we go about this some of my concerns are

do you have to use another company/lawyer to draw up paperwork or can you just go to government office and do it all yourself example the labour office

im aware you cannot do any job a thai can do how do you get round this ,it is a small resort and just really want work permit for piece off mind so i can be around the resort and not have any worries.

any info is appreciated i know all about having to have 2 million capitol and 4 thai employees these are no problem to us

any helpfull info would be appreciated

thanks

[tombkk]

The company needs to have a capital of at least 2 million Baht and four employees employed.

[whybother]

The company needs to have a capital of at least 2 million Baht and four employees employed.

just clarifying: "four THAI employees employed".

Which shouldn't be too hard in a small resort.

[jdinasia]

Sunbelt has a lot of info on their website. I would suggest reading up on it. You didn't mention your nationality but if you are an American it can make a difference. (You can own a Thai company outright under the Treaty of Amity still -- I think

If the resort is small it may not be as easy as you think because of payroll expenses, you will have to be paid 50k a month (most likely, but again nationality can make a difference.)

[roiethome]

The way to be able to do any job a Thai can do is to prefix the job title with "international", such as International reservations manager,and making fluent English or other language a necessity for the position, this usually works.

I once employed a Burmese girl as my secretary and obtained a work permit for her by calling her position International Liaison clerk.

[olsen]

Your Thai girlfriend can do this herself, no need to use a lawyer. It is quite simple.

Your wife just visit the commercial office and tell them she want to register a 2 million THB company limited and they will guide her through the process.

She must file the necessary papers and then it should not take more than a few weeks before it is registered.

Then you and your girlfriend visit the labor office and apply for a work permit, something like general manager.

They often ask for your examination documents from your school in your home country and also about your work history - eventually some references from earlier employers.

You will need a doctor´s certificate that you are fit for working in Thailand and don´t have any deadly diseases.

From the immigration office you need proof of your address in Thailand.

That´s it.

Good luck.

[Time Traveller]

For anyone that can read and write Thai it is quite easy to register a company by yourself. But I would only recommend this for a very basic company that doesn't require any special licence. As your planned business is a guesthouse I highly recommend using a lawyer. The reason is because by yourself you would almost certainly overlook something needed for your business such as specific business licenses. This is more than just registering a company and all hotels, resorts and guesthouses must be licensed. If not, then it is illegal and while might not represent a problem until a guest or competitor complains then you will be found out - although authorities may "look the other way". However, if something serious happens in the guesthouse e.g. death or injury of a guest, or a fire, then it's highly likely you could be prosecuted as well.

(BTW no insurance company would cover any policy payout to a business operating illegally i.e. without the required licenses so beware) It's amazing that your taking advice from inexperienced people on a forum and at the very least not from other business people in the same industry. Lawyers will protect you and don't necessarily add much to start up costs, and most are not as bad as people complain about

[supaprik]

For anyone that can read and write Thai it is quite easy to register a company by yourself. But I would only recommend this for a very basic company that doesn't require any special licence. As your planned business is a guesthouse I highly recommend using a lawyer. The reason is because by yourself you would almost certainly overlook something needed for your business such as specific business licenses. This is more than just registering a company and all hotels, resorts and guesthouses must be licensed. If not, then it is illegal and while might not represent a problem until a guest or competitor complains then you will be found out - although authorities may "look the other way". However, if something serious happens in the guesthouse e.g. death or injury of a guest, or a fire, then it's highly likely you could be prosecuted as well.

(BTW no insurance company would cover any policy payout to a business operating illegally i.e. without the required licenses so beware) It's amazing that your taking advice from inexperienced people on a forum and at the very least not from other business people in the same industry. Lawyers will protect you and don't necessarily add much to start up costs, and most are not as bad as people complain about

Solid,sound advice, yes registrations and permits are quite easy to obtain but the ONLY way you can be assured you have EVERYTHING you will need to cover your arse is by going through a reputable lawyer, go the cheap DIY route and be ready for ruin

[ericthai]

Yep, Olsen pretty much nailed it. Very easy and no need for a lawyer. My first company I opened in Thailand I used a lawyer and spent way too much money. Second one did it ourself think the cost was about 10K work permit is simple too, cost about 3500B. Dont wast time with the lawyers everyone in the govt offices are usually very helpful.

[taninthai]

Thanks some helpfull answers there travel man I wouldn't call some off the people in experienced no doubt they have already done what I'm trying to do so in fact I am asking bussiness people that are maybe experienced in the same industry

I have also read in my other research that you only need to show 25% off the 2 million at the start of bussiness but by the end of year you should be showing 2 million any one confirm this as right or wrong

many thanks again