Company Registration
Types of company registration and their pros and cons.
Currently, many people with a certain income are turning to register their own companies in large numbers. If you are someone who wants to become a company owner, I suggest you study the types of company registration that align with your needs.
- Sole Proprietorship: This is a type of company registration where a single individual opens the company and is the sole owner. It is suitable for small businesses, offers a high degree of independence, allows the owner to retain all profits, and does not require filing financial statements. However, the business may not appear as credible in the long run, accessing financial credit can be challenging, and it may incur higher income taxes compared to registering as a legal entity.
- Limited Company: This is a type of company registration where the business is owned by at least 2 individuals, and all business operations must be approved by the owners. The business operates under the name of the company, and the main advantage is that the company’s debts are clearly separated from the owners’ personal assets. The income tax rate for the company is a maximum of 20%, which is lower than for a sole proprietorship. However, a limited company has clear legal obligations, including maintaining financial records, income statements, and tax payments, as well as providing social security for employees.
Types of corporate registration and their advantages and disadvantages.
- Limited Partnership (LP): In an LP, every partner has the right to manage the business and share the profits equally. This type of business structure is suitable for ventures with at least 2 or more partners. The advantage is that all partners have equal rights, but they are collectively and personally responsible for the debts incurred by the business in an “unlimited” manner.
- Limited Partnership (LLP): Partners in an LLP have the right to inquire about and provide opinions on the business operations. They can also serve as consultants to the business. The advantage is that partners are only personally responsible for the debts of the business up to the amount of their own investment. However, they do not have decision-making authority in the business and cannot actively participate in its operations.
- Unlimited Partnership: In an unlimited partnership, partners have the full authority to operate the business and make all decisions. They have the highest level of control and must have at least one partner. However, they are personally responsible for all the debts of the business without any limitation.
- Limited Company: A limited company is a legal entity formed by two or more individuals for the purpose of conducting business and generating profits together. It is suitable for businesses with substantial growth potential and a high company value. The advantages of a limited company include a high level of credibility in the long term, a more structured management system, easier access to financial loans, and limited liability in debt equal to the registered capital. However, it requires payment of taxes twice a year, involves complex legal regulations, and is more challenging to dissolve compared to other business structures.
If you wish to register a legal entity with the utmost convenience, please contact a legal consultant or an attorney to assist you.
Company registration process
- Study the information and make a decision on which type of company registration is suitable for you. This will help you prepare the necessary documents and understand the legal requirements.
- Prepare documents for company registration.
- Registering a company name.
- Register the Memorandum and File it with the Registrar.
- Open for reservation and schedule a meeting for all shareholders of the company, and anyone can purchase shares in the company with a minimum purchase of 1 share or more.
- Conduct a meeting for the selected personnel in the company to ensure a common understanding of the information.
- Establish a company committee to allow individuals to collect 25% of the actual share price on behalf of the company founders for the purpose of company registration. This registration process must be completed within 3 months after the meeting. In case of any delay, a new meeting must be convened.
- Pay the registration fee for company registration.
- Receive the certificates and letters of certification. At this stage, it means that your company has been officially registered. You can collect them from the registrar at the Department of Business Development in the area where your company is located/regional office of commerce.
Things to prepare when you want to register a company
*Documents related to the company should be signed and certified as true copies by any one of the shareholders.
*Each shareholder must sign their own identification card.
- The application for company registration is often referred to as “Memorandum of Association” (บอจ.1) in Thailand.
- แบบคำรับรองการจดทะเบียนจำกัด
- Company Establishment Registration (บอจ.3)
- Board of Directors Details (แบบ ก.)
- List of Shareholders (แบบ บอจ.5)
- Copy of the Meeting Appointment Letter for Company Establishment
- Copy of the Company Establishment Meeting Report
- (If applicable) Copy of the Articles of Association with a 200 Baht revenue stamp attached.
- Evidence of payment of shares issued by the company to shareholders.
- Form สสช.1
- A map showing the location of the main office and important nearby locations in general.
- Copies of the ID cards of all directors.
- (If the applicant cannot apply in person) Power of Attorney.
Foreigners and company registration
The registration of a limited company with foreign shareholders can take two forms as follows:
- If foreigners hold less than 49% of the company’s shares, the limited company is considered a Thai national company and can engage in business activities according to the law.
- If foreigners hold 50% or more of the company’s shares, the limited company is considered a foreign company. In this case, the company must apply for a Foreign Business License and is subject to certain restrictions as specified by the Foreign Business Act. These restrictions include limitations on owning land and engaging in certain types of businesses. Some businesses, such as radio or newspaper publishing, farming, and gardening, are reserved for Thai nationals. Other businesses listed in Annexes 2 or 3 of the Foreign Business Act may require prior authorization before being conducted by foreign companies.
In the case where foreign nationals invest in a company by…
– From 40% but less than 50% of registered capital
– Or less than 40% of registered capital but acting as a managing director with authority on behalf of the company.
14. Each Thai national shareholder must submit evidence of the source of their investment funds that corresponds to the amount they have paid for their shares, using one of the following options.
14.1 A copy of a bank passbook or a copy of a bank statement from the last 6 months.
14.2 Documents issued by the bank for certification or to demonstrate the financial status of the shareholder.
14.3 Copies of evidence demonstrating the source of funds used for the share payment.
Reference source
- Kasikornbank (ไม่ปรากฎวันที่) 9 ขั้นตอนการจดทะเบียนบริษัท ฉบับรวบรัด ครบจบ เข้าใจง่าย , ครบเรื่องธุรกรรมการเงิน รู้จริงทุกธุรกิจ. Available at: https://www.kasikornbank.com/th/kbiz/article/pages/company-registration.aspx (Accessed: 17 August 2023).
- [มปช] จดทะเบียนบริษัทผู้ถือหุ้นต่างชาติ ต้องทำอย่างไร (no date) inflowaccount. Available at: https://inflowaccount.co.th/company-registration-shareholder-2/ (Accessed: 17 August 2023).