What you need to know about setting up the business in Thailand?

      As in most countries, there are three kinds of business organization in Thailand:

Sole proprietorship, partnerships and limited companies.  The most popular form of business organization among foreign investors is the private limited company.

      Private limited companies require a minimum of three promoters and must file a memorandum of association, convene a statutory meeting, register the company, and obtain a company income tax identity card. They must also follow accounting specified in the Civil and Commercial code, the Revenue code and the Accounts Act. A balance sheet must be prepare once a year and filed with the Department of Revenue and Commercial Registration.

      In addition, companies are required to withhold income tax from the salary of all regular employees. The Ministry of Industry administers The Factory Act, which govern factory construction and operation, as well as safety and pollution-control requirements. In some cases, factories do not require licenses, in other instances the requirement is simply to notify officials in advance of start-up and in some case licence are require prior to commencing  operations. License are valid for five years and are renewable.

     Thailand recognizes three kinds of intellectual property rights: patents, trademarks and copyrights. The Patent Act protects both inventions and product designs and pharmaceuticals.  The Copyright Act protects literary, artistic works and performance right by making it unlawful to reproduce or publish such works without the owner's permission.

•       The trademark Act govern registration of and provides protection for trademarks.
•       The Alien Occupation Law requires all foreigners working in Thailand to obtain a Work Permit prior to starting work in the Kingdom except when they are applying under the Investment Promotion Law in which case they have 30 days to apply.
•       Non-Immigrant visas provide the holder with eligibility to apply for a work permit application is being considered.

      Through the links below, you can learn more about topics such as industrial licensing, taxation, patents and trademark and the cost of doing business in Thailand. You can also find the status of Thai infrastructure including facilities such as airport, deep sea port, highways and the availability of power, water and telecommunications.

Reference : http://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=setting_up_a_business