Stricter rules apply from 1 Jan 2026 for establishing Thai companies

A new instruction has been issued effective from 1 January 2026 concerning the criteria and supporting documents for applications for registration of limited companies and partnerships if foreigners are investors or have signing authority. 

Applicants for registration of a limited company or partnership must submit supporting documents of all shareholders or partners who are Thai nationals if:  

1. Foreigners hold less than 50 per cent of the registered capital in a limited company or have invested less than 50% of the capital in the case of a partnership.  

2. A limited company has no foreign shareholders, but a foreign director has the authority to sign or co-sign to bind the company. 

In such cases, the applicant must provide bank statements issued by the bank of each Thai shareholder or partner for the account used for payment of the shares or capital.  

The bank statements must show transactions for the three months prior to the date of payment for shares or capital and must show withdrawals or transfers consistent with the amount of share payments or capital invested and the dates of payment. 

Link to the instruction in Thai language: DBD Instruction for establishment of Thai companies