Representative Office
A non-trading extension of a foreign company — for sourcing, quality control, and market reporting. Since June 2017 it needs only a notification to the Ministry of Commerce, not a Foreign Business License.
A presence in Thailand, without trading.
A representative office is the same legal entity as its foreign head office — not a separate Thai company. It exists to support the parent: sourcing goods, checking quality, and reporting on the Thai market. It cannot earn income, and all its costs are funded from abroad.
It used to require a Foreign Business License. Since 9 June 2017 that's no longer the case — a representative office simply notifies the Ministry of Commerce, which made setup far faster. It's the right structure when you want eyes and hands on the ground but aren't yet selling in Thailand.
What it can do
A representative office is limited to five non-revenue activities:
- Sourcing goods or services in Thailand for the head office
- Checking and controlling the quality and quantity of goods the head office buys or has manufactured here
- Advising on goods the head office sells to agents or consumers in Thailand
- Providing information about the head office's new goods and services
- Reporting on Thai business movements to the head office
What it cannot do
- Earn income, invoice, or accept payment in Thailand
- Accept purchase orders or make offers to sell
- Negotiate or enter into business deals with customers
Capital, staff & tax
- Minimum capital of THB 2 million, remitted from the head office on the statutory schedule
- Headed by an appointed manager; a foreign manager needs a work permit, which the office can sponsor
- Not subject to corporate income tax, because it earns no income — though it still registers and files
How we set it up
Scope & eligibility
We confirm your planned activities fit the five permitted ones and map the documents the head office must provide.
Notification filing
The application is prepared in Thai and filed with the Ministry of Commerce; the manager signs in person where required.
Registration & tax ID
Registration completes in roughly 15–20 working days; we manage the tax-ID registration with the Revenue Department and set up the office's filings.
Manager work permit
If the manager is foreign, we run the work-permit and visa application in parallel.
Frequently asked
Does a representative office need a Foreign Business License?
No — not since 9 June 2017. It now only files a notification with the Ministry of Commerce, which is much faster than the old licensing route.
Can it earn any revenue?
No. A representative office cannot sell, invoice, take orders, or negotiate deals in Thailand. If you need to trade, a private limited company or a branch office is the right structure.
How much capital is required?
The standard minimum is THB 2 million, remitted from the head office over the statutory period to cover the office's running costs.
Is it taxed in Thailand?
It isn't subject to corporate income tax because it generates no income, but it still registers for a tax ID and meets payroll and withholding obligations for its staff.
Reviewed by the Khonsu Legal team · 1 July 2026
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