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Business Operating License in Thailand
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Business Operating License in Thailand
The business license in Thailand allows the respective company to operate. The regulated activities that require a special license are tourism, the school industry, childcare, liquor, food, and beverages, but also medicines. The most wanted licenses in Thailand are for construction, restaurant, food, hotel, music, and alcohol. Below, we will discuss them largely so every person interested in opening a business in Thailand can know what it takes to obtain a certain license.
For more information about Business Operating licenses in Pattaya and Thailand, contact our professional agency for specialized consultancy.
How to obtain a Business Operating License in Thailand?
Before applying for a business operating license in Thailand, you have to find a location and register your company. There are many types of businesses you can open in Thailand, but the most recommended for foreign owners is Thai Limited Company. Establish your location, choose at least 3 options to have a backup in case the name selected is not available, fill out the Memorandum of Association, and submit an application to the Ministry of Commerce in Thailand. The registration of the company usually lasts up to 3 months.
Similar to any other type of business in Thailand, as a foreigner you are not allowed to own 100% of your food business in Thailand. You need a Thai partner to join you. Next, you will start the actual process and paperwork for your business.
Once you complete all these steps, you must apply for business licenses. The government department or agency in Thailand issues a business license, which permits the company to conduct specific activities. You can apply for these licenses only after the company is registered with the Ministry of Commerce.
If a government body regulates your activity, you will face a lengthy and comprehensive application process to operate your company. Among the regulated activities that require specific business permits are tourism, the school industry and childcare, liquor, medicines, food, and beverages.
The commonest forms of business registration in Thailand and their related licenses
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Institutions that provide services for assistance
In government policies to promote investments but also for economic development in Thailand, require the additional permission of the Ministry of Finance.
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Companies that deal with import or export activities
Will require certain business permits depending on the category of goods. When authorities control the respective goods, you must obtain specific licenses from the Thai Food and Drug Administration. Here we find the import of food, medicines but also cosmetics in the Kingdom. Moreover, the import of mobile electronic devices will require a permit from the National Broadcasting Department in Thailand.
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Businesses that focus on employment
Such as headhunting, both staff and search companies, and employment agencies need a license for recruitment. The Department for Employment will issue the license. Also, the respective company must meet specific requirements regarding local management but also shareholding, and office space. As a rule, the company must report its recruitment activities to the Employment Department once it approves the license.
- If your company is to operate a travel agency, you will need to obtain a travel license from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, before this company starts operating. This company can engage in tourist activities only with the help of this business operating license. Without this license, organizing tours and packages or scheduling accommodations and tickets is strictly forbidden. This license classifies into Inbound Tourism, Outbound Tourism, and Domestic Tourism. The company needs a local director of Thai citizenship who will have to sign a tourism license.
- Also, when you want to start a guesthouse business, you need licenses specific to this type of business. The documents that need to be provided for this type of license consist mainly of the building permit, the interior map, as well as the owner’s documents, the location map showing that there is no school or temple near this hotel, and not least, the company documents. When you start a guesthouse business you have to consider that the time required until you get all the approvals and when you can start the activity is 6 months.
- Providing financial services through a company operating in Thailand requires a certain business license from the Bank of Thailand. Financial services include financial companies, credit financing companies, asset management companies, and electronic payment channel services.
The business operating license in Pattaya for a restaurant
The food market is continuously developing and evolving in Thailand. New foods and new food trends are coming up every day. People usually tend to follow these trends and try all these new foods. Curiosity drives them to taste anything from new beverage flavors to foods cooked in a specific way.Â
Therefore, the food market and food business in Thailand has grown so fast and have developed so quickly. Many investors have seized this opportunity and brought their food brands to the Thai market. If you want to join them and build a profitable business in the food industry, contact J&E Concierge today and we will help you start your business in Thailand, Pattaya!
With the rise of the food industry in Thailand, there are also certain regulations imposed by authorities. Their purpose is to ensure that consumers receive quality and that all health standards are met. This means that government officials have the right to control all exports and imports of food, as well as domestic production. Depending on the food category, you must follow specific standards regarding ingredients, packaging, and delivery.
Opening a restaurant requires specific licenses.
The nearest national office will approve these licenses. Before you apply for a restaurant license, you must secure a fixed location for storing food. The government authorities will inspect the restaurant before they issue the license.
A restaurant-based business requires a license to operate. Before submitting the business permit application, you must establish a fixed location where food and beverages will be sold.
Depending on your restaurant’s activities, you need a food license from the FDA and an alcohol license to sell alcoholic beverages. Make sure you follow all health requirements as well as standards and quality. Depending on the category in which your company is located, it requires certain licenses or permits, the business of which can operate according to the standards of the Thai state.
The business operating license in Pattaya for a bar
For citizens who will run a bar, a liquor license, and a business operating license in Thailand are also required. Alcoholic beverages require an additional permit called an alcohol permit, which the local Excise Department grants along with the business operating license. The company must renew all these licenses annually, as they are granted for one year. The local excise department grants the specific license called an alcohol permit for liquor.
Any person must apply for an alcohol license from the Excise Department when they intend to perform the following actions:
- produces alcohol and owns the related equipment
- the importation of more than one liter of alcohol requires a specific license.
- the factory transports the alcohol without charging taxes.
- carry more than 10 liters of alcohol
- those who sell alcoholic beverages
- if you transport more than one liter but less than ten liters of alcohol between the specified territories
It is forbidden to market and sell alcoholic beverages in the following cases:
- people under the age of 20 or people who lose consciousness when they drink
- in the hourly interval between 12:00 and 11:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00
- it is forbidden to market and sell alcoholic beverages in areas where religious schools or temples are located.
Renew business license
Moreover, you must renew each license within 30 days after its expiry date, as each license is valid for one year. When the license is no longer valid, J&E Concierge Pattaya can help you renew the business license. For that reason, the process for this consists of submitting a new application to the Thai authorities and waiting for their inspection.
If you need to renew your business license, J&E Concierge Pattaya will be at your disposal again and we invite you to ask us any questions or concerns you may have. Also, for any kind of detailed details regarding your license to rent daily, or if you need help obtaining different licenses for your business J&E Concierge Pattaya is here for you. Our team will deal closely then each of you who wants to renew any type of business license to help you operate legally and without any problem.
With us, you can renew your restaurant license without even consuming your time or even facing the Thai government. If you want to renew an alcohol license, a restaurant license or to renew a music license, we will be permanently available.
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How can I open a restaurant in Thailand?
Hello BlueHard, we can help you open your restaurant, all you have to do is to get in touch with us as soon as you can. Thank you
Can foreigners own business in Thailand?
Hello there, sure they can. Anytime when you decide to open your own business here please feel free to get in touch with us. Thank you
Does anybody know what is the score with licences in a beer bar or restaurant that wants to play non-Thai origin music. I know that the fun police will come down on people playing Thai songs, but can anyone tell me if it’s the same for my Barry Manilow LP’s? Cheers
Hello, we can give you all information you may need. All you have to do is to get in touch with us as soon as you can. Thank you
My friend (A bar owner in Jomtien) was raided by about 5 Thai guys dressed in black jackets, They extorted 50.000 baht saying that it’s illegal to play Thai music. Does anyone know the real law on this? Is there an official license that can be purchased to avoid this harsh corruption fining that seams to have sparked up again, and where is it purchased?
Hello, we can give you all information you may need. All you have to do is to get in touch with us as soon as you can. Thank you
I’m looking to set up a travel agency but I know I require a TAT licence, ive looked all over the TAT website and googled it but I cant find anything. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you
Hello Rico, please feel free to get in touch with us and we will provide you these information. Thank you