Investment Promotion Registration with the Thai BOI

For businesses looking to establish or expand operations in Thailand, obtaining investment-promotion status under the Board of Investment Thailand (BOI) opens substantial advantages. At BASE Law Firm, we guide clients through securing BOI registration, complying with conditions, and unlocking incentives designed to support growth, technology transfer, and export-oriented activities.

Our service include:

BOI eligibility review and strategy
Application drafting and submission
Incentive structuring and optimization
Compliance, reporting, and audit support
Foreign ownership and land approvals
Ongoing promoted-project maintenance

What BOI Registration Means

Registering with the BOI means the government formally recognises your project or company as contributing to Thailand’s strategic economic development. Once approved, you become eligible for a wide array of tax and non-tax incentives, strong signal to investors and partner companies, and a clearer legal path for investment operations.

Key Incentives Available

Companies approved by the BOI may access benefits that significantly enhance Bangkok-based or Thailand-based operations, such as:

Corporate income tax holidays or reductions in tax rate for the certified business activity.
Import-duty relief on machinery and equipment for promoted projects, and sometimes on raw materials used for export manufacturing.
Foreign-ownership and land-use permissions: In some promoted activities, foreign investors may hold up to 100 % of shares, and the company may own land for production premises.
Work permits and visa facilitation: Faster access to permissions for foreign skilled personnel working on the promoted project.
Other operational advantages: Double deductions for utility or transport expenses in eligible cases, and ease in remitting foreign currency abroad.

Who Can Qualify & What Criteria Apply

To become a BOI-promoted company, your project generally must meet the following:

Be in an eligible business category (for example advanced manufacturing, digital services, agriculture/biotechnology, or supporting industries).
Submit a detailed investment proposal and business plan showing capital investment, local employment, technology transfer, and value-adding characteristics.
Comply with minimum capital injection, debt-equity ratio rules, and approved share structure if required by the specific promotion measure.
Operate in compliance with the conditions set in the promotion certificate (for example installation of machinery within a timeframe, start of production within a set period).

Process of Registration

While specific details can vary depending on the project scale and industry, the typical registration pathway includes:

Pre-Submission Assessment – We evaluate whether your proposed business model fits the BOI’s investment-promotion criteria and advise accordingly.
Application Submission – Gather and submit required documentation: business plan, financials, shareholding and director details, technology transfer agreements, etc.
BOI Review & Decision – The BOI evaluates the project for conformity with its strategic goals. Once approved, you receive a “promotion in principle” letter, followed by your Promotion Certificate.
Certificate Acceptance & Implementation – You must formally accept the certificate and meet any conditions within stipulated timelines (for example, investment execution, equipment importation). Failure may result in revocation.
Post-Approval Compliance & Monitoring – After issuance, your company must report progress and operations to the BOI to retain benefits. Audits may assess whether performance is as declared in the application.

Strategic Considerations & Risks

While the BOI route offers powerful advantages, a few important considerations apply:

Sector limitations: Only certain activities qualify, and changes to your business activity may require a new approval or may disqualify incentives.
Timeframes and conditions: Non-compliance with time limits (such as importing equipment or starting operations) can lead to forfeiture of benefits.
Complex accounting and reporting: Promoted projects must maintain detailed records to ensure the promoted activity remains separated from non-promoted activities.
Ownership or control changes: Significant changes in shareholding or management may jeopardize your promoted status if the original conditions are breached.

How BASE Law Firm Can Assist You

At BASE Law Firm, we offer end-to-end advisory and support for BOI-related investment projects:

Eligibility screening – We assist in evaluating your business plan, capital structure, and sector alignment with BOI priorities.
Application preparation – Our team drafts all required documents, liaises with government agencies, and manages submission logistics.
Strategic structuring – We design corporate and financing structures to satisfy BOI conditions and optimise incentives.
Post-grant support – We assist with compliance, reporting, audit readiness, and guide you through operational or expansion phases under your certificate.
Dynamic planning – If your project evolves (expansion, new activity, relocation), we provide advice on amendment procedures and maintaining promoted status.

Summary

Registering with the BOI in Thailand presents a compelling investment pathway, offering tax relief, operational flexibility, and strategic advantage (especially for foreign and export-oriented businesses). However, the process involves strict eligibility criteria, ongoing compliance obligations, and sector-specific constraints. By partnering with BASE Law Firm, you gain experienced legal guidance to navigate the complex registration, ensure robust implementation, and secure the long-term benefits of investment promotion in Thailand.

Contact BASE Law Firm today to discuss your project and explore whether BOI registration is the right route for your business in Thailand.