Information

This barrier is unrelated to the end of the transition period, following the United Kingdom's departure from the EU.

Public ID: PID-94YVVB

Foreign Business Act restricting foreign participation in services sector

in Thailand

Trade barrier summary

Thailand's Foreign Business Act came into effect in March 2000, placing restrictions on 43 categories of business activity. These categories are divided into three 'schedules.'

Schedule one: includes newspaper businesses, radio broadcasting, farming, fisheries and forestry. Only minority foreign ownership is permitted for these industries.

Schedule two: includes manufacturing, vehicles and military equipment. Minority foreign ownership is possible without permission. Up to 75% foreign ownership needs ministerial approval, with at least 40% of directors being Thai nationals.

Schedule three: includes accountancy, legal services, architecture, engineering, construction, domestic trade in local agricultural products, advertising and tourism. Minority foreign ownership is possible without permission. Majority foreign ownership needs permission from the Commercial Registration Department and also from the Alien Business Board.

Sectors affected

  • All sectors

Resolved

No

Date reported

7 January 2019

Last updated

17 December 2020

Public ID

PID-94YVVB

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