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What are the visa, work permit, and licensing requirements for starting a personal retail business in Thailand?

Feb 16, 2025
7 days ago
Hein *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone, would like to seek advice regarding visas/work permit/ licenses pertaining to starting a personal retail business here in Thailand. Any recommendations on services that I can consult or can help facilitate this for me? Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post seeks advice on the visa and work permit needed to start a personal retail business in Thailand, along with recommendations for services that can assist with this process.
Kool *******
What kind of business exactly do you want to start, and which country are you from?
Hein *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
my partner and I are from Canada. One idea is a sake bottle shop, but we are open to any potential ideas and partnerships.
Hein *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Already in touch with them, thanks!
Hein *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Very well aware of the capital and labour requirements involved with setting up a business. There’s no need on my end to convince or provide you with our personal resumes, finances, and partnerships that we have. I simply asked for a recommendation on services/agencies here that others on this group may find helpful. Do you have a suggestion?

Or just a presumptuous, borderline condescending, assertion towards a general Facebook inquiry.
Kool *******
@Hein ******
if you are actually serious, and not just some pipe dream, Siam-Legal.com is very good.
Kool *******
@Hein ******
you are aware that after you set up any business you will need bt2million in registered capital, and hire and pay wages for 4 Thai employees for each work permit, meaning for two work permits you must have at least bt4million in registered capital, and hire 8 Thai employees. You also need licenses to import alcoholic beverages, and to sell them. What, if any, experience do you have in running your own business, not working for someone else? No one is going to partner with you unless you have money, and something worth while to offer. Dreams are one thing. Reality in Thailand is completely different. What research have you done other than asking on Facebook?
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