Foreign Business Act restricting foreign participation in services sector
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
If a trade barrier is affecting your exports or investment from the UK, please let us know on report a trade barrier .
If you export goods you can check duties and customs procedures for your chosen market.