Legal Section - Doing Business
You will find here a series of summaries providing an overview of useful legal regulations, processes and legal issues for Doing Business in Thailand.
Work permit for a branch or representative office
Under Ministerial Regulation No. 3, “Service Businesses Which Do Not Require a Foreign Business Licence”, a representative office can now provide services without having to apply for a foreign business licence for its manager.
Trade Competition Commission Notifications on Mergers
The Trade Competition Act, 2560 B.E. (2017), imposes certain measures to regulate mergers in Thailand, which are divided into the following two categories.
International Business Centre replaces IHQ and ITC
The Board of Investment (BOI) has cancelled investment incentives for International Headquarters (IHQ) and International Trading Centres (ITC), and is no longer accepting applications for IHQ and ITC. IHQs and ITCs that are already receiving incentives will continue to do so until those incentives expire.
Amendment of the Labour Protection Act
A draft amendment of the Labour Protection Act, 2541 B.E. (1998 A.D.) (“the Draft”), was approved by the National Legislative Assembly on 13 December 2018. After the Draft is approved by His Majesty the King, it will be published in the Royal Gazette and become effective 30 days later.
e-Commerce and Direct Marketing
Direct marketing is one of the businesses controlled under the Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act, 2545 B.E. (2002) (“the Act”). An entity conducting such a business must register with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (“the OCPB”) beforehand.