Set Up Representative Office in Thailand
A strategic, non-revenue Thai presence for your foreign head office — we handle eligibility checks, DBD notification, capital planning, staffing, tax/SSO registrations, and ongoing obligations.
What is a Representative Office (RO)?
A Representative Office is a Thai presence of a foreign company that performs non-revenue support functions. It cannot earn income in Thailand, issue tax invoices, or engage in buying/selling. All expenses are funded by the foreign head office, and the RO’s role is limited to specific activities that support the head office’s business.
Good to know: The RO is typically exempt from Thai corporate income tax on operating activities (interest or other non-operating income may be taxable). You’ll still handle payroll taxes and social security for employees.
Permitted activities (typical)
- Finding sources of goods/services in Thailand for the head office
- Quality/quantity inspection of goods made or purchased in Thailand for the head office
- Providing advice related to goods sold by the head office to agents/consumers
- Disseminating information about new goods/services of the head office
- Reporting on business movements in Thailand to the head office
What an RO cannot do
- No sales or purchase orders in its own name
- No invoicing or receipt of revenue in Thailand
- No negotiation of price/contract terms on behalf of third parties
- No warehousing or after-sales services beyond advisory
Key requirements
- Foreign head office: Valid incorporation and operating status
- Capital plan: Sufficient funds to cover Thai operating costs (multi-tranche injection is common for ROs)
- Registered address in Thailand for official notices
- Local representative/manager to oversee operations
We’ll align capital, staffing, and scope with your head office’s objectives and forecast costs.
Typical registrations after setup
- Tax ID for employer/payroll purposes
- Social Security (SSO) within 30 days of hiring
- VAT generally not required for a non-revenue RO (case-specific)
Heads-up: Some situations (e.g., import of services) may create VAT/withholding obligations. We’ll assess and guide you.
Step-by-step setup
- Feasibility & scope — Confirm activities fit RO rules; map head-office goals.
- Name & address — Reserve Thai address; gather head-office corporate documents.
- DBD filing/notification — Submit application, scope of activities, capital plan, authorised person.
- Manager appointment — Designate RO manager/authorised signatory in Thailand.
- Tax ID & employer setup — Obtain Tax ID; register SSO; set payroll and withholding flows.
- Operational onboarding — Policies, expense management, intercompany funding, monthly reporting.
Timeline & fees
| Phase | Typical Duration | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation & feasibility | 3–7 business days | Scope fit, document list, capital plan |
| DBD filing/approval | 10–20 business days | Application, authorised person, follow-ups |
| Tax ID & SSO | 3–7 business days | Employer tax ID, SSO registration |
| Operational onboarding | 3–5 business days | Payroll/WHT flows, expense & reporting templates |
Government Fees
Depend on filing scope and document volume. Itemised estimate provided up front.
Professional Fees
Fixed-fee proposal with clear inclusions/exclusions. No hidden charges.
Optional Add-ons
Work-permit/visa coordination, bank account assistance, payroll, and monthly filings.
Ongoing obligations
- Intercompany funding & expense control (no Thai-source revenue)
- Payroll/WHT/SSO filings for employees
- Bookkeeping & annual financial statements (audit requirements may apply)
- Activity reports to the head office
How we keep you on track
We set a simple compliance calendar, standardise funding/expense workflows, and provide monthly packs so your head office has clear visibility over Thai operations.
Documents checklist
From head office
- Certificate of incorporation & corporate profile
- Board resolution to establish the RO in Thailand
- List of directors & authorised signatories
- Power of attorney (if applicable)
- Last year’s financial statements (if requested)
Foreign documents often require notarisation/legalisation—plan lead time.
For Thailand
- Proposed RO address & landlord consent
- Scope of permitted activities
- Capital plan & funding schedule
- RO manager details (passport/ID, contact)
Why ACCOUNTINFIRM
- Clear scoping to keep activities within RO boundaries
- End-to-end execution — filings, tax/SSO setup, payroll, and monthly care
- Intercompany savvy — funding, expense control, and audit-ready books
- Responsive bilingual team with transparent, itemised fees
What you can expect
Fast responses, pragmatic guidance, and tidy documentation—so your head office stays confident while you operate in Thailand without revenue-generating risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Representative Office earn revenue in Thailand?
No. An RO is non-revenue. It cannot issue tax invoices or receive income in Thailand. All operating costs are funded by the head office.
Is there a minimum capital requirement?
ROs are expected to have sufficient capital to cover Thai operating costs. A staged funding plan is common. We’ll tailor this to your budget and activity scope.
Does an RO need VAT?
Generally no, because there’s no revenue. However certain transactions (e.g., imported services) can create VAT/withholding obligations—assessed case-by-case.
What about work permits and visas for foreign staff?
Work-permit/visa options exist for RO managers/staff, subject to prevailing rules. We coordinate requirements and documentation end-to-end.
Can we convert to a Thai company later?
Yes. Many groups start with an RO and later incorporate a Thai entity when they’re ready to trade. We can plan that pathway from day one.
Start your Representative Office setup
Get a tailored scope and an itemised quotation within 24 hours.