Starting Own Buisness In Thailand

[trebor1970]

Hi All

I am from the Uk and am looking into starting my own buisness and live in thailand how is this possible or would i need a work permit which is very hard to get.

Thanks

Rob

[Soutpeel]

You can be a share holder in a Thai business without a WP, but the minute you start working in said business you need a WP

[jdinasia]

I would start by reading the main site ThaiVisa.com

and then start reading some sponsor sites like sunbeltAsia's site

The way to make a small fortune in Thailand ...... start with a large one

[scorecard]

I would start by reading the main site ThaiVisa.com

and then start reading some sponsor sites like sunbeltAsia's site

The way to make a small fortune in Thailand ...... start with a large one

Already some good points.

I would ask "Have you visited or lived before in Thailand?" Depends somewhat on the industry, but you really should understand the typical workplace behaviors / employee expectaions etc., of Thais (or any culture) before you jump in, and also realize that changing these factors is very difficult if not close to possibe (same as changing these factors for any cultural / societal group).

So ultimately it's your decision whether you can work with these factors and make your business model, objectives and strategies work.

[jdinasia]

I would start by reading the main site ThaiVisa.com

and then start reading some sponsor sites like sunbeltAsia's site

The way to make a small fortune in Thailand ...... start with a large one

Already some good points.

I would ask "Have you visited or lived before in Thailand?" Depends somewhat on the industry, but you really should understand the typical workplace behaviors / employee expectaions etc., of Thais (or any culture) before you jump in, and also realize that changing these factors is very difficult if not close to possibe (same as changing these factors for any cultural / societal group).

So ultimately it's your decision whether you can work with these factors and make your business model, objectives and strategies work.

Not to mention the simple fact that there are many areas of business that are off-limits to foreigners here ... and business structure is complicated for most players other than Americans.

[trebor1970]

I am looking into setting up a retial store if that is possible, if i have a thai wife would this help

Thanks Again

[CharlieH]

It seems to me you have no idea what you are doing and are chasing a dream. Be realistic, do your research and then do more reasearch.If you have never even visited Thailand you are wasting your time even thinking about a business.

[trebor1970]

I have been to Thailand twice, but have met a girl online and she wants me go go ang live there

if anyone can help that would be great

[Rumpole]

Hey ho. Another lamb to the slaughter.

[Soutpeel]

I have been to Thailand twice, but have met a girl online and she wants me go go ang live there

if anyone can help that would be great

Run now my friend and dont look back...

Two holidays and an on-line relationship and you want to tear up all roots and move here......

My advice...stay where you are, work and put some money in the bank and when you haven enough money in the bank as to not have to work, then move here

Can you finance a THB 2.0 million Ltd company start up ?, can you afford to employ 4 Thai nationals to get your extension of stay for your WP ?

Can you afford to carry 90 days cash for the :"retail" business, operationally and stock ?

I suspect your "GF" is filling your head with visions of opening a little "shop" and you will all live happy ever after ?...Am I right ?

Here is the plan B....Marry said GF with a pre-nup in place, take her the UK and when she rips you off at least you will not loose everything as i suspect you will in Thailand

[scorecard]

I have been to Thailand twice, but have met a girl online and she wants me go go ang live there

if anyone can help that would be great

Run now my friend and dont look back...

Two holidays and an on-line relationship and you want to tear up all roots and move here......

My advice...stay where you are, work and put some money in the bank and when you haven enough money in the bank as to not have to work, then move here

Can you finance a THB 2.0 million Ltd company start up ?, can you afford to employ 4 Thai nationals to get your extension of stay for your WP ?

Can you afford to carry 90 days cash for the :"retail" business, operationally and stock ?

I suspect your "GF" is filling your head with visions of opening a little "shop" and you will all live happy ever after ?...Am I right ?

Here is the plan B....Marry said GF with a pre-nup in place, take her the UK and when she rips you off at least you will not loose everything as i suspect you will in Thailand

You've just read the negative views, which probably have some basis, but don't be instantly convinced it's all negative.

But you definitely should understand that what Thai people expect of bf/gf relationships and marriage is not the same as typical western relationships, and there is no reason why it should be.

Just be well aware that it is different and do your research so that you do well understand how it is different and the background to all of this, then proceed.

If you want everything to be legitimate / ensure risk is well managed etc., then you do need to follow Thai business laws. If you want to set up a full company (advisable in any country to manage / minimize risk) then this is possible and not all that complex to register, but you do need to understand well that you can only ever own 49% of the shares in the company.

But you can (at the official registration of the company) set it up so that the company has a managing director position and also officially record (in the articles of association of the company)

that this position is the only position that can sign any documents on behalf of the company, therefore the only position that can buy or sell anything), and also record, at inception, that you are recorded as the managing director. In other words, gain full control.

Sounds daunting but there are good busines agencies (some companies already merntiond earlier in this thread) who can do this with little pain, in fact it's all very routine, and registration at the Thai Companies Office is fairly quick. But (here's my bias) beware of lawyers. There are many Thai and Western lawyers who will jump to help you at totally outrageous fees. The good business agencies and good accountants will do the same work, same quality etc., at much much lower fees.

You should also be aware that your company will need to submit annual company returns to the Thai Companies Office and annual tax, accounting, and audit reports. This is also an area to be careful of. Again, lawyers will charge you absolutely outrageous annual fees for all of the above but there are agencies (e.g. accounting companies) who will do all of this for very reasonable fees. (PM me if you want the name of a an accounting agency who will do the registration and the annual retuns at quite minimal fees, and the owner and staff all speak advanced English.)

Good luck.

[scorecard]

I am looking into setting up a retial store if that is possible, if i have a thai wife would this help

Thanks Again

'Retailing what'? Sounds like a silly question, but you need to check what types of business can be operated with western involvement:

1. Foreigner can have some ownership of the business (never more than 49%), and

2. Is it an area of business where foreigners (any foreigners) are absolutly not allowed to work (connects to gaining a WP work permit) e.g. foreigners are toally prohibited to work as farmers, waiters, and many more jobs / occupations. In the very early threads of Thaivisa you can easily find lots of valuable information on these points.

Perhaps it's worth reinforcing that if it's an area of business / an occupation prohinited to foreigners they you simply cannot get a work permit. By extension this would mean that you (by the letter of the law, and there are random checks) cannot 'work' in the business. Just sitting in the office can be construed that you are working. Advising is 'working' by the appropriate Thai definitions, just helping for 5 minutes is 'working' and you therefore need a WP. Breaking the WP regulations is quite serious and if cuaght will quickly have serious implications on your visa to be in Thailand.

Good luck.

[CharlieH]

I have been to Thailand twice, but have met a girl online and she wants me go go ang live there

if anyone can help that would be great

Of course she does, dont you get it yet, your her winning lottery ticket !! You can NEVER own land in Thailand so anything you buy will be hers from day one, pay the money, she says bye bye TO YOU and yet another gullable fool goes to the slaughter..........WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE ROB !!

There is some sound advice been dished out here, dont be a fool mate, if the relationship is real wait atleast 5 years BEFORE you do anything. That will test if its real or not.

[tartempion]

I am from the Uk and am looking into starting my own buisness and live in thailand how is this possible or would i need a work permit which is very hard to get.

I am looking into setting up a retial store if that is possible, if i have a thai wife would this help

Thanks Again

Please wake up man

Thousands have preceded you with similar signs of leaving their brains at home, don't do this to yourself.

[vont]

I would start by reading the main site ThaiVisa.com

and then start reading some sponsor sites like sunbeltAsia's site

The way to make a small fortune in Thailand ...... start with a large one

My advice to anyone wishing to start a biz in Thailand is....

if you have to ask for advice in Thaivisa regarding what you need to do,

then perhaps the person ought to wait a while longer, until he learns more

about Thailand....

Thailand is just like any other countries in the world....

bigger sharks eating smaller sharkes.... in Bangkok, and

bigger tiger shrimps eating smaller ones.... in Pattayar and Phuket....

[kennalder]

I have been to Thailand twice, but have met a girl online and she wants me go go ang live there

if anyone can help that would be great

Run now my friend and dont look back...

Two holidays and an on-line relationship and you want to tear up all roots and move here......

My advice...stay where you are, work and put some money in the bank and when you haven enough money in the bank as to not have to work, then move here

Can you finance a THB 2.0 million Ltd company start up ?, can you afford to employ 4 Thai nationals to get your extension of stay for your WP ?

Can you afford to carry 90 days cash for the :"retail" business, operationally and stock ?

I suspect your "GF" is filling your head with visions of opening a little "shop" and you will all live happy ever after ?...Am I right ?

Here is the plan B....Marry said GF with a pre-nup in place, take her the UK and when she rips you off at least you will not loose everything as i suspect you will in Thailand

Well put. There is no level playing field in Thailand. Everything is slanted toward a Thai outcome. No-one will tell you anything about that except strangers here. Take the above advice. Yes she will cry and make you feel guilty, but she is probably already exploring other possibilities. The tears are mostly like the smiles. Fake.