Step-by-step process to open a travel company in Thailand 2026 (AZ)

The Thai government strongly encourages foreign investment in the service sector, especially tourism, hotels, transportation and accommodation. Businesses enjoy:

• Tax incentives and long-term visa support for investors.
• Transparent legal procedures, quick online registration.
• Support from regulatory agencies such as DBD and DOT helps foreign businesses easily register for tourism business licenses.

It only takes about 1-2 hours to fly from Vietnam to Thailand, and the cost of renting offices, staff, and operations in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket is still significantly lower than in Singapore or Malaysia. This helps Vietnamese businesses:

• Optimize initial investment costs.
• Convenient remote operation, easy to fly to work, survey or sign partnerships.

According to the latest statistics, Thailand's tourism industry in 2025 will record growth with more than 26,8 million international visitors, generating revenue of 1,24 trillion Baht (equivalent to 38 billion USD).

In particular, the Thai Government is focusing on:

• Improve the quality of tourists (from “quantity” to “value”).
• Attract high-end service models such as wellness, MICE, resorts, medical tourism.

This opens up great opportunities for Vietnamese businesses with strengths in outbound, inbound tours, digital travel, OTA or B2B operators.

Establishing a travel company in Thailand helps Vietnamese businesses:

• Actively operate tours in Thailand, sign contracts directly with hotels, bus companies, and local partners.
• Legalize business activities in international markets, avoid dependence on intermediaries.
• Increase brand reputation, easily reach customers in ASEAN region and internationally.

Vietnam and Thailand have similar cultures, close diplomatic and tourism relations, with millions of two-way visitors each year.

Vietnamese businesses can take advantage of this to:

• Developing bilateral tours between Vietnam and Thailand,
• Building a two-way tourism value chain,
• And gradually expand to transit markets such as Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar.

The Thai government prioritizes foreign businesses with strengths in tourism technology, digital marketing and online tourism service platforms.

If Vietnamese businesses have a solid foundation in the following areas:

• Digital Travel / Booking System / Affiliate OTA.
• Inbound-outbound marketing strategy.
• Building a B2B tour operator system.

Enterprises can completely become strategic partners in Thailand's tourism value chain, not only bringing tourists to Thailand but also distributing and connecting Thai tourism products to the region.

This is the most popular type for foreign investors when they want to open a company in Thailand. Enterprises are allowed to conduct commercial activities, provide tourism services, organize tours and sign contracts directly with partners and customers.

• Requires at least three shareholders, of which the Thai side must hold at least 51% of the charter capital, unless specially licensed.
• Enterprises must have a valid office address, a legal representative in Thailand, and fully perform tax, accounting, and social insurance obligations.

This is an ideal choice for Vietnamese businesses that want to do business legally and long-term in Thailand, especially in the field of inbound and outbound tourism.

Representative office is a suitable form for businesses that do not want to do business directly, but only want to promote their brand, research the market or support their parent company in Vietnam.

• Not allowed to generate revenue or sign business contracts in Thailand.
• Main functions include: collecting market information, monitoring contracts, finding partners, promoting tourism products and services.
• Parent companies in Vietnam need to demonstrate financial capacity and provide valid legal documents to be granted an operating license.

For businesses new to the market, this form helps build a network of partners, grasp tourist needs and local policies before making large investments.

Branch is a suitable choice for international travel companies that have prestige, brand and stable customer system abroad.

• Branches can sign business contracts, conduct commercial transactions and have revenue in Thailand.
• However, the scope of operations is limited by registration license and is subject to strict management by the Thai Ministry of Commerce.
• Enterprises need to prove the financial capacity of the parent company and appoint a representative in Thailand to take legal responsibility.

This model is suitable for Vietnamese businesses that are already active in the field of international tours, MICE or package tourism services, and want to expand their brand presence in Thailand.

The company is licensed by BOI (Board of Investment) enjoy many special offers, including:

• 100% foreign owned, no need for Thai shareholders.
• Exemption or reduction of corporate income tax for 3–8 years.
• Long-term land lease rights and support for visa and work permit issuance for foreign employees.

However, to qualify, businesses need to meet Thailand's strategic investment criteria such as: applying high technology in tourism, developing sustainable tourism, investing in tourism infrastructure or creating new tourism products.

According to current regulations, most foreign companies registering to operate in Thailand must have at least one Thai shareholder or director. This regulation is to ensure domestic management and convenience in dealing with Thai authorities.

However, in case the enterprise is approved by the Thai Board of Investment (BOI), foreign investors can own 100% of the charter capital, without the need for a Thai partner. This is a preferential mechanism reserved for projects that contribute to sustainable economic development - tourism or high technology application.

Businesses must register a physical office address, have a clear lease agreement, and be authorized to use it as a business headquarters. The competent authority (DBD or DOT) may conduct a site inspection to verify the legality of the address before granting a license.

The office must meet the minimum requirements of area, facilities, company signboard, and customer record keeping system. For the tourism industry, this is also a factor that demonstrates professionalism and prestige when receiving guests or partners.

Certain types of tourism businesses, especially Tour Operators and Travel Agencies, are required to obtain a Tourism License from the Department of Tourism of Thailand (DOT).

Application documents usually include:

• Certificate of company registration from DBD.
• Legal representative profile.
• Office lease contract.
• Proof of investment capital.
• Director's professional certificate or travel experience.

Having this license allows businesses to sign tour contracts, organize package tours and promote legally in Thailand.

The representative (Managing Director) of a travel company in Thailand must have work experience or a professional certificate in the field of tourism and travel. This requirement ensures that the business is capable of operating professional services, complying with international tourist service standards.

In case the enterprise has a foreign director, this individual needs to be granted a business visa (Non-B Visa) and a work permit (Work Permit) before starting operations.

Thailand has regulations on personnel recruitment for companies, specifically: 

• For Limited Company: the enterprise must ensure a ratio of 4 Thai employees for every 1 foreign employee granted a work permit.
• For representative offices: the prescribed ratio is 1 Thai employee for 1 foreign employee.

This regulation aims to create balance in employment opportunities and encourage businesses to contribute to the domestic labor market in Thailand.

This is a mandatory license issued by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to all businesses operating in the tourism industry.

There are three main types of licenses:

• Inbound License: For companies that welcome international guests to Thailand.
• Outbound License: For companies taking Thai or foreign tourists to other countries.
• Domestic License: For tour operators within Thailand.

The application documents include: business registration, office lease contract, proof of minimum capital, qualifications/experience of the person in charge and travel insurance.

The company office must be verified as a real address, have a sign, minimum area and permanent staff.

DOT will conduct inspections before granting tourism business licenses.

If renting a serviced office or coworking space, make sure the lease is valid and has photo evidence.

Every company in Thailand is required to register for a tax identification number with the Revenue Department within 60 days of establishment.

Tax code is the basis for declaring corporate income tax, VAT and withholding tax.

Tourism business insurance is a mandatory requirement when applying for a Tourism Business License.

Insurance includes main benefits: civil liability insurance, customer accident, and property damage during tour operation.

Insurance premiums and limits depend on the size of the business and the type of tour (inbound, outbound, domestic).

If a business wants to build its own brand for a tour or tourism service, it should register a trademark at the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to protect intellectual property rights.

Registration helps businesses avoid trademark disputes, creating advantages when cooperating internationally or promoting online.

Every year, the company must submit audited financial statements to the Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Revenue Department of Thailand. 

The report must clearly show revenue, expenses, profits, and tax obligations.

The deadline for submission is usually within 5 months from the end of the fiscal year.

Enterprises with revenue over 1,8 million Baht/year are required to register for a VAT code.

VAT in Thailand is currently at 7%, which applies to most services, including tourism services.

Businesses must declare and pay taxes monthly, which can be done online through the Revenue Department's e-Filing system.

Licenses issued by the Department of Tourism (DOT) are usually valid for 2 years.

Businesses need to submit renewal applications on time along with financial records, proof of legal operations and customer liability insurance.

If the extension is not timely, the Thai company may be fined or have its tourism operations suspended.

All tour guides working for the company must have a valid license issued by the DOT.

Companies must sign clear labor contracts, register for social insurance, and comply with regulations on wages, working hours, and benefits.

Businesses must purchase mandatory travel insurance, including accident, medical and risk compensation for guests.

In case of an incident, the company is responsible for coordinating with the authorities to compensate and support customers promptly.

Thai law does not set a mandatory capital amount for all types of businesses, but if the business is considered “foreign” under the FBA or the project requires special licensing, a minimum of 2 million baht or 3 million baht is usually required depending on the industry. 

Additionally, to apply for certain BOI licenses or incentives, the capital required may be different. 

GLA will analyze your operating model and advise on appropriate capital levels, and prepare documents to prove capital sources when needed.

In many cases, BOI allows tourism businesses to have 100% foreign ownership if the project is approved. 

However, sectors included in Thailand's protection list under the FBA still have a 49% limit or require special licenses. 

GLA has experience in BOI filing and will assess your eligibility for incentives to maximize your ownership.

The Thai government through the BOI (Board of Investment) has introduced many incentive policies to attract international businesses to invest in the tourism sector. When tourism projects meet the conditions, businesses can receive the following incentives:

• Corporate income tax exemption for 3–8 years depending on the type of activity and the project's contribution to the tourism industry.
• Support for quick visa and work permit processing for investors, experts or foreign personnel, helping to shorten project implementation time.
• Exemption from import tax on tourism equipment such as passenger shuttle buses, ships, equipment for operating entertainment areas or vehicles serving tourism activities 
• Allowing 100% foreign ownership gives the enterprise full management rights, without being limited to the ownership ratio as usual regulations (49%).

After incorporation, the company must register for a tax identification number (Tax ID) within 60 days. If the expected or actual revenue exceeds the prescribed threshold (greater than 1.8 million baht/year), the Thai company must register for VAT within 30 days of exceeding the threshold. 

GLA provides a full package of Thai corporate tax accounting services, helping you register for taxes, declare VAT and prepare reports in accordance with regulations.