Having their own employees in Thailand seems to be the cheap and direct way to sales and service in Thailand for many foreign companies. But beware: The law prohibits foreigners from selling their products or even providing consulting or technical services through by themselves or through Thai employees. There is the risk of imprisonment, fines of up to USD15,000 per day and corporate tax for both business owners and employees.
The Thai Foreign Business Act protects Thai traders and marketers from foreign competition. Those who use their own employees to sell their products or services in Thailand turn them into an (illegal) permanent establishment. Draconian penalties are imposed for violating or circumventing the law. This also includes employing sales or service staff through personnel service providers or law firms. Often, the latter themselves are unaware of the risks they expose themselves and their clients through a “payroll” or “staffing service” ” for illegal activities of foreign customers.
In this article, we explain exactly how to recognize a punishable “bogus employment” and how to do it right.
HOW TO MAKE A JOINT VENTURE A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN THAILAND
It is easy for foreigners to set up a wholly foreign owned enterprise (WFOE) in Thailand. However, such firms are subject to limitations, for example in trading and providing services. A Joint Venture with a Thai majority, on the other hand, is free to do anything that is possible for Thai companies. Even in such a Joint Venture, foreigners may legally have a majority of voting rights and preferential dividend rights.
Yet this must be properly planned from the very outset and cleverly set up from a legal point of view. Once the company has been established, there is very little that one can do about it.
Sanet Legal, the German lawyers in Thailand for corporate law, explain how to make a Joint Venture in Thailand a successful concept. They also point out legal options that many investors have probably not considered yet.