Sun Legal Ltd

13/02/2026

📌 Important Update for Businesses in Thailand

Since January this year, Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD) has been enforcing stricter verification of registered head office addresses — particularly impacting companies using serviced, virtual, or shared offices. Registered details must exactly match official records, and additional documentation (such as lease agreements or landlord consent letters) may be required. Non-compliant filings risk delay or rejection.

This reform strengthens corporate transparency and compliance standards across the market 🇹🇭

Read more:
https://www.sunbeltasia.com/property-reform-new-dbd-office-address-rules/

Property Reform & New DBD Office Address Rules

26/01/2026

🇨🇳✈️ Chinese Tourists Set to Return This Lunar New Year 🧧🌏

Thailand’s tourism sector is preparing for a strong rebound as Chinese visitor numbers are expected to rise significantly over the Lunar New Year period. This could bring a welcome boost to hotels, restaurants, retail, and the wider economy.

Read our latest blog to see what’s driving the recovery, what to expect, and what it means for businesses in Thailand 👉
🔗 https://www.sunbeltasia.com/rebound-in-chinese-tourists-expected-over-lunar-new-year/

Thai and Chinese tourism operators are upbeat about a rebound in mainland Chinese visitors during the upcoming Chinese New Year

12/01/2025

🏢 𝗕𝗢𝗜 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 🌏

📅 Effective Dec. 9 this month, the Board of Investment issued new land ownership rules under Notification No. 16/2567, replacing 2022 guidelines.

🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀:

BoI-promoted foreign firms can own land for offices (up to 5 rai) and staff housing (up to 20 rai).
Requires 50 million baht in registered capital.
Housing use now limited to operational-level staff—no longer allowed for executives.
Land can be located inside or outside business premises.

⚠️ Non-compliant firms must sell or transfer land within one year.

12/01/2025

🍺 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🍶

📢 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:

Brewpubs & Craft Breweries can now sell keg beer off-site, with a minimum keg size of 20 liters.
Small beer factories can upgrade to medium-sized operations without waiting one year.
Distance rules lifted for community liquor factories near water sources if they have approved wastewater treatment systems.

🗓️ 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀:

The proposal will be submitted to the cabinet.
If approved, changes will take effect by mid-February.

📈 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹: Boost local economies and enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s craft beverage industry.

25/12/2024

🚢 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱! 📊

📈 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:

Projected 5% export growth, hitting a record $300 billion.
Key drivers: Electronics, Agricultural Products, and Food Exports.
Year-to-date (10 months): $250 billion in export receipts (+4.9% YoY).

🌍 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀:

Aiming for 2%-3% growth, reaching $305-$308 billion in export value.
New Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and ongoing discussions with the EU and United Kingdom expected to fuel growth.

🤝 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀:

Planned U.S. tariff negotiations in February to address exemption concerns.

🌾 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵:

Agricultural and Food Exports remain strong pillars for growth.

23/12/2024

🌍 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 🇹🇭

🚨 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲:

Extended visa-free stays and weak enforcement have enabled unlicensed foreign tour operators in key hubs like Bangkok and Phuket.
Despite 50,000-60,000 licensed tour guides, shortages persist for languages like Russian and Polish.

🛡️ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻:

Tour guiding is reserved for Thai nationals under Thai law.
Collaboration between Thai guides and foreign tour leaders is suggested to address shortages legally.

🏢 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀:

Companies must have 51% Thai ownership and Thai-majority directors.
A Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) License is required for operations.

📜 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀:

Domestic License: 95,000 baht 🏖️
Inbound License: 145,000 baht ✈️
Outbound License: 245,000 baht 🌎

💼 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

Proof of registration
Shareholder details
Office ownership documents

18/12/2024

🌐 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗘-𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺: 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 🌐

📈 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲: Thailand’s e-commerce sector generated over US$27 billion in 2023, driven by high internet usage and mobile adoption.

🛒 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴

Fashion
Beauty
Food Delivery

📜 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘-𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲

E-Commerce License: Mandatory for legal operations.
Data Protection Compliance: Adhere to the Personal Data Protection Act and Cybersecurity Act.
Tax Obligations: Ensure proper Value-Added Tax (VAT) filings.

💻 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘀

Electronic Transactions Act: Recognizes e-signatures and secures digital transactions.
Direct Sales and Marketing Act: Regulates digital marketing practices.
Consumer Protection Laws: Emphasize transparency, refund policies, and clear product details.

🌍 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗸𝘀

Enjoy benefits like 100% ownership and tax exemptions, but compliance with Thai laws is required.

16/12/2024

🌟 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 🌟

📈 Confidence Index: Climbed to 56.9 in November, up from 56 in October, thanks to strong government initiatives and thriving tourism.

✨ 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵:

🌍 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺: Thailand welcomed 32.7 million foreign tourists (Jan-Dec), generating 1.54 trillion baht (~US$45.6 billion).
💸 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘂𝘀: A 4-billion-baht scheme disbursed 10,000 baht to 14.5 million people in phase one, with phase two coming in January.
📊 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira forecasts 4% growth in Q4 and 2.8% for 2024, improving from 1.9% last year.

13/12/2024

🌏 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 🌏

Foreign investment in Thailand remains robust, with 786 ventures injecting 161 billion baht into the economy in the first ten months of 2024.

📊 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

🇯🇵 Japan: 92 billion baht
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇨🇳 China

🏗️ 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

Engineering services
Auto parts manufacturing
Software development
Machinery maintenance
Contract manufacturing

11/12/2024

📈 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 📈

Thailand is set to exceed 90,000 new business registrations this year, driven by export recovery, tourism growth, and government stimulus measures, according to the Department of Business Development.

✅ 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

🏢 January-October Registrations: 76,653, a 2.18% increase year-on-year
📊 October Growth: 7,267 companies registered, a 9% jump from September
🚧 Boosted by infrastructure projects, tourism rebound, and factory expansions

⚠️ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱

Rising inflation, household debt, and global uncertainties, including China’s slowdown and post-election U.S. trade policies, may impact growth.

09/12/2024

📊 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 📊

Criticism arose after Thailand’s finance minister suggested raising the value-added tax (VAT) from 7% to 15%, a move swiftly denied by the prime minister, citing its potential impact on low-income households.

✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

💼 Lowering corporate income tax from 20% to 15%
🧑‍💼 Reducing personal income tax rates from 35% to attract skilled workers

The Prime Minister affirmed that tax reforms are still under review to enhance Thailand’s global competitiveness while addressing social equality.

06/12/2024

🚨 𝗗𝗕𝗗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 🚨

The Department of Business Development is investigating 27,000 businesses to curb the misuse of Thai nominee shareholders by foreign entities, targeting industries like tourism, real estate, hotels, transport, and e-commerce.

📊 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

🕵️ Examine shareholding structures, voting rights, and financial credibility
🧑‍💻 Launch the Intelligence Business Analytic System in six months to identify risks
⚖️ 2023 results: 26,019 entities reviewed, with charges against 64 for irregularities

🏢 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱

Nominee structures often grant foreigners hidden control while violating Thai laws that restrict foreign ownership. Placeholder Thai shareholders with no financial interest are key targets in this investigation.