Legal service for foreign clients
Representative Office Registration in Thailand in Thailand
Limited to five statutory activities with no revenue allowed — suited to market research and liaison work.
Quick answer
A representative office may perform only five activities: sourcing goods or services for the head office, quality inspection, product advice, disseminating information about new products, and reporting business trends. It cannot accept purchase orders or earn revenue in Thailand — all expenses come from the head office. Registration is with the Department of Business Development. Contact our team for a quotation.
Contact our team for a quotation — Contact our team for a quotation; government fees are billed separately. · Timeframe stated in the quotation
Who this is for
- Foreign companies researching the Thai market before full investment
- Overseas manufacturers inspecting Thai suppliers' quality
- Groups needing a regional liaison point without selling in Thailand
What you receive
- Assessment of whether planned activities fit the five permitted categories
- Consularised and certified-translated head-office document set
- Representative office registration and tax ID filing
- Guidance on the expense budget remitted by the head office
- Work permit coordination for the foreign manager
Documents to prepare
- Head-office certificate and memorandum, consularised
- Appointment letter for the office chief
- Annual expense budget to be remitted by the head office
- Evidence of office premises in Thailand
How it works
4-step process
- 1
Confirm the five-activity scope
We check your actual work plan against the statutory activities. If it exceeds the scope, a branch or subsidiary is the right vehicle instead.
- 2
Prepare head-office documents
Notarisation, consular legalisation, and certified Thai translation in sequence.
- 3
File the registration
Filing with the Department of Business Development; the processing timeframe is stated in our quotation.
- 4
Tax registration and reporting
Even without revenue, the office needs a tax ID, must withhold tax on salaries, and files returns on schedule.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a representative office sell or accept orders?
No. The law permits only five support activities. Accepting orders or signing sales contracts constitutes business operations requiring a different registration and possibly a Foreign Business Licence.
How much money must be remitted in?
All expenses must come from the head office. Check the latest minimum capital criteria with the Department of Business Development before filing, as they may be updated.
Can it hire Thai staff?
Yes. The office may hire Thai employees normally — it must register as an employer, withhold salary tax, and enrol staff in social security.
Related services
Branch Office Registration for Foreign Companies in Thailand
A branch is the same legal person as the head office — simpler to set up, but the parent bears full liability.
Foreign Business Licence (FBL) under the Foreign Business Act
We map the restricted lists and choose the best route: FBL, Treaty of Amity, or BOI promotion.
Non-Immigrant B Visa for Working in Thailand
The gateway visa before a work permit — the employer's readiness matters as much as your own papers.
Written by: Thai Law & Accounting Services — attorneys and licensed accountants
Reviewed by: Reviewed by a Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
Last updated: 2026-08
Information as of August 2026. Government fees and processing times change — verify with the relevant agency before acting, or let our team verify for you.