Branch Office of a Foreign Company
Foreign companies wishing to operate in Thailand under the same legal entity without forming a separate Thai company.
Filing sequence at a glance
Prepare and legalise parent-company documents → apply for a foreign business licence covering the branch activity → register for tax and as an employer.
Conditions to meet
- A branch is a foreign juristic person, so a licence is required where the activity falls within the Lists under the Foreign Business Act.
- Minimum capital to be remitted for the business is generally THB 3 million per licensed activity, brought in on the schedule set by ministerial regulation.
- The parent company bears unlimited liability for the branch's debts and obligations.
- A branch manager resident in Thailand must be appointed as the responsible person.
Documents to prepare
- Parent company registration certificate, legalised and translated into Thai.
- Board resolution of the parent approving the branch and appointing the branch manager.
- Power of attorney authorising the branch manager to act in Thailand.
- Parent company financial statements and details of the activities to be carried out in Thailand.
Step-by-step process
- Legalise the parent documents in the home country (notarisation and/or legalisation as required) and have them certified-translated.
- File the foreign business licence application with the DBD.
- Remit the minimum capital within the statutory timeframe.
- Obtain the tax ID, register for VAT and register as an employer.
Common mistakes
- Underestimating parent-company liability, since a branch is not a separate legal entity.
- Failing to remit the minimum capital on schedule.
- Parent documents not legalised through every step Thai authorities accept.
Deciding authority
Department of Business Development, the Revenue Department, and the Department of Consular Affairs for document legalisation.
Talk to our team
Ask about scope of work, required documents and timing by phone, LINE or email. Approvals are at the authority's discretion — we do not guarantee outcomes and we do not set up nominee structures, but we review your file before submission to reduce the risk of rejection.
Contact usSources
Information current as of August 2026 — reconfirm the latest conditions with the authority before filing.
Other structures
More: Company registration FAQ · Work permit routes · Thai visa types