Business & Corporate Law in Thailand
Legal expertise for businesses, shareholders and investors across the business lifecycle in Thailand, from establishment and governance to transactions and restructuring.
Discuss Your MatterLegal Support Across the Corporate Lifecycle
Corporate legal matters extend well beyond company formation. Ownership, governance, investment, transactions and restructuring can raise legal considerations throughout the life of a business, from establishment through to a later sale, transfer or succession.
These considerations are relevant to a wide range of businesses — Thai companies, foreign-owned businesses, subsidiaries, startups, SMEs, family businesses, multinational groups and joint ventures alike — though the specific issues that matter most depend on the business, its structure and its stage of development.
Business & Corporate Services
Legal support across the corporate lifecycle, from establishment through to transactions and eventual exit.
Company Formation
Corporate establishment and structuring for businesses, subsidiaries, joint ventures and other commercial operations in Thailand.
Corporate Structuring
Ownership, group and corporate structures aligned with the nature and objectives of a business.
Corporate Governance
Board, shareholder, management and decision-making arrangements supporting effective governance.
Shareholder Matters
Ownership, shareholder relationships, corporate actions and changes affecting a company’s shareholders.
Joint Ventures
Corporate structures and governance arrangements supporting joint ventures and strategic relationships.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Corporate aspects of acquisitions, disposals, investments and other strategic transactions.
Corporate Due Diligence
Review of corporate, ownership, governance and related legal matters connected with transactions.
Corporate Restructuring
Changes to ownership, capital, group structures and arrangements as businesses evolve.
Corporate Compliance
Ongoing governance, corporate records, approvals and compliance considerations affecting businesses.
Business Expansion
Corporate considerations arising when businesses expand operations or enter new activities.
Business Transfers & Exit
Corporate aspects of business sales, ownership transfers, succession and divestment.
Subsidiaries & Group Companies
Corporate matters involving subsidiaries, affiliated companies and evolving group structures in Thailand.
When Corporate Advice Matters
Corporate considerations often arise at particular stages of a business’s life and ownership.
Starting a Business
A new business, subsidiary or venture is being established and its corporate structure requires consideration.
Bringing In Investors
New shareholders, investors or strategic partners are entering the business or its ownership is changing.
Governance Changes
Board, management, shareholder or decision-making arrangements need to reflect changes in the business.
Buying or Selling a Business
An acquisition, disposal, investment or business transfer raises corporate and transaction-related considerations.
Restructuring the Business
Reorganising the ownership, capital, group arrangements, or overall business operations.
Planning an Exit or Succession
Shareholders or business owners are considering a sale, transfer, succession or other ownership transition.
Company Formation & Structuring
Establishing a business in Thailand can involve considering the intended activities, ownership, shareholders, governance, capital structure, management and operational requirements together, rather than treating formation as a single administrative step. Future investment and expansion plans can also shape how a business is structured from the outset.
Different corporate structures can serve different commercial purposes, with relevant considerations depending on the business and circumstances involved. Where foreign ownership or foreign participation is relevant, this connects with considerations addressed under Foreign Investment.
Corporate Governance & Shareholders
Governance arrangements — how shareholders, directors, management and other decision-makers relate to one another — become increasingly important as businesses grow, as investors enter, as ownership changes, as founders’ roles evolve, and as subsidiaries are established or strategic transactions occur.
Ownership and governance are closely connected: changes in ownership can carry governance implications, while existing governance arrangements may also affect ownership transitions. Where shareholders’ or founders’ agreements are relevant, this connects with Commercial Contracts expertise.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Investments
Corporate transactions — including acquisitions, disposals, investments and business combinations — can involve interconnected considerations around ownership, structure, governance, contracts, regulation and due diligence. Employment, intellectual property, financing and potential disputes may also become relevant depending on the transaction.
How a transaction is structured, and which considerations matter most, depends on the businesses involved, the nature of the transaction and the parties’ commercial objectives.
Corporate Due Diligence
Corporate due diligence commonly examines matters such as corporate status, ownership, governance, material corporate records, contracts, regulatory standing, assets, employment, intellectual property, disputes and compliance. The scope of due diligence depends on the nature, value and risk profile of the transaction. Where a transaction raises questions requiring broader fact-finding or verification, Intelligence & Investigations expertise may also be relevant alongside corporate due diligence.
Joint Ventures & Partnerships
Joint ventures and strategic partnerships raise their own corporate considerations — ownership, governance, management, funding, decision-making and how the parties’ business objectives are reflected in the arrangement, alongside exit provisions for when the relationship eventually changes or ends.
Joint venture structures should reflect genuine commercial relationships and the parties’ intended ownership, investment and governance arrangements. Where the contractual terms of a joint venture are relevant, this connects with Commercial Contracts expertise, and where foreign participation raises investment-regulatory considerations, this connects with Foreign Investment.
Corporate Restructuring
Businesses evolve, and corporate arrangements often need to change alongside them — as companies grow, raise investment, reorganise, add or remove shareholders, establish subsidiaries, consolidate operations, prepare for sale or plan succession.
Corporate restructuring can involve changes to ownership, capital, group structures and other corporate arrangements. The appropriate approach depends on the reasons for the change and the structure of the business involved.
Governance & Corporate Compliance
Governance and compliance considerations continue after a business is established. Corporate records, shareholder and board matters, approvals and changes to company information may remain relevant throughout the life of a business, including within corporate groups and subsidiaries.
Ongoing corporate requirements vary according to the business, its structure and the circumstances involved, rather than following a single fixed set of obligations that applies uniformly to every company.
Related Practice Areas
Foreign Investment
Market entry, foreign ownership, investment structuring and regulatory considerations affecting international investors in Thailand.
Commercial Contracts
Shareholder, joint venture, transaction and commercial agreements supporting business operations and corporate relationships.
Arbitration & Litigation
Commercial, shareholder and corporate disputes arising from business relationships, transactions and ownership matters.
Business & Corporate FAQs
What does corporate law cover in Thailand?
Corporate law in Thailand covers the establishment, ownership, governance, operation, transactions and eventual restructuring or transfer of a business. It spans matters from company formation through to shareholder relationships, mergers and acquisitions, and ongoing corporate compliance.
How can a business establish a company in Thailand?
Establishing a company generally involves considering the intended business activities, ownership, shareholders, governance, capital structure and operational requirements together. The appropriate corporate structure depends on the business and its circumstances.
What should be considered when structuring a business in Thailand?
Business structuring commonly considers ownership, governance, management, capital structure, the relationship between any group companies, and future plans such as investment or expansion. The appropriate structure depends on the nature and objectives of the business.
Can foreigners establish a company in Thailand?
Foreign participation in Thai businesses can involve ownership, activity-specific and regulatory considerations that depend on the proposed business and requirements applicable at the time. These matters are addressed in more detail under Foreign Investment.
What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance refers to how a company is directed and controlled — the relationships and decision-making arrangements between shareholders, directors and management. Appropriate governance arrangements depend on the size, ownership and objectives of the business.
What is involved in buying a company in Thailand?
Buying a company generally involves considering the transaction structure, ownership, corporate due diligence, the agreements governing the transaction, and any relevant regulatory considerations. The appropriate approach depends on the target business and the circumstances of the transaction.
What is a joint venture in Thailand?
A joint venture is a commercial arrangement in which two or more parties work together toward a shared business objective. Ownership, investment, governance and contractual arrangements vary according to the parties and the venture involved.
When is corporate legal expertise relevant?
Corporate legal expertise can be particularly relevant when a business is being established, when ownership or governance is changing, when a transaction is being considered, or when a business is restructuring — generally most useful while these matters are still being planned, rather than after they have been finalised.
Managing a Business in Thailand?
Connect with relevant legal expertise for corporate establishment, governance, transactions and other business matters in Thailand.