How is FBL different from BOI?

BOI offers privileges (tax + visa) via a positive list. FBL is a permit only, no tax break. Many companies get both — BOI for core, FBL for side activities.

Is US–Thai Amity Treaty still available?

Yes — Americans can hold 100% except List 1 items (communications, land, transportation, banking). Requires US Commercial Service Bangkok nationality certification first.

Is it slower than BOI?

List 3 similar (3–4 months). List 2 (Cabinet) 6–12 months. Amity is fastest at 30–45 days.

Thai employment ratio?

No hard FBL ratio, but work-permit rule still 4 Thai : 1 expat, including Amity.

Foreign Business License (FBL)

ขอใบอนุญาตประกอบธุรกิจต่างด้าว (FBL) · § License

Quick Answer

FBL THB 100,000–200,000 (List 3); US–Thai Amity certification THB 40,000–70,000 — activity audit, business plan, DBD interview, Thai-benefit justification. Cabinet-list applications take longer.

Timeline: Documents 4 weeks · DBD review 60 days · Interview 1 day · License 90–120 days · List 2 (Cabinet) 6–12 months

Official fee: FBL fee THB 20,000 + annual license THB 5,000 (List 3)

Legal Basis

Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 — List 1 (prohibited), List 2 (Cabinet approval), List 3 (DBD Director-General approval). Minimum capital THB 3M per activity.

Who Needs This

Foreign majority companies (≥ 50%) engaged in List 3 activities — services, wholesale/retail, construction, advertising, consulting — or those relying on the US–Thai Treaty of Amity.

Required Documents

Corporate affidavit + 3-year parent financials
30–50-page business plan justifying Thai-benefit
Evidence of technology / know-how not duplicated locally
Thai employment + technology-transfer plan
Minimum registered capital THB 3M per activity or 25% of 3-year OPEX

Common Pitfalls

Vague Thai-benefit narrative → DBD rejection
List 1 activities (land brokerage, media, etc.) are absolutely prohibited
Amity Treaty companies straying into land/broadcast → license void
Registered capital below THB 3M → application rejected

Typical Use-cases

Foreign management-consulting firms
IT service / systems integrators not under BOI
Industrial-equipment sales representatives
US LLCs using Amity to open a wholly-owned Thai branch

FAQ

How is FBL different from BOI?: BOI offers privileges (tax + visa) via a positive list. FBL is a permit only, no tax break. Many companies get both — BOI for core, FBL for side activities.
Is US–Thai Amity Treaty still available?: Yes — Americans can hold 100% except List 1 items (communications, land, transportation, banking). Requires US Commercial Service Bangkok nationality certification first.
Is it slower than BOI?: List 3 similar (3–4 months). List 2 (Cabinet) 6–12 months. Amity is fastest at 30–45 days.
Thai employment ratio?: No hard FBL ratio, but work-permit rule still 4 Thai : 1 expat, including Amity.