Branch offices and representative offices
In short
A foreign company can operate in Thailand through a branch, which is part of the same legal entity, or a representative office, which is limited to non-revenue activities such as sourcing, quality inspection and reporting to head office. The permitted scope differs sharply between the two.
A representative office that starts earning revenue has stepped outside its permitted scope, which puts both the office and its head office at risk. If the plan involves invoicing Thai customers, a branch or a subsidiary is the correct vehicle.
Branches carry head-office exposure because the liability is not ring-fenced. Many groups prefer a Thai subsidiary for that reason alone, even where a branch would technically be permitted.
What we need from you
- Head office incorporation documents, legalised for use in Thailand
- Description of the intended Thai activities and revenue model
- Remittance plan and appointed representative in Thailand
- Registered address in Thailand
Watch out
Head office documents need the correct certification chain — Apostille or legalisation — before the Thai filing can proceed.
Reviewed as of 2026-08-04. General guidance only, not case-specific advice and not a guarantee of outcome. Government fees, conditions and processing times are set by the responsible authority and can change. This site does not publish prices — please ask our staff.
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