BRW - Doing business in Thailand

Thailand is stepping up its crackdown on foreign nominee businesses as authorities investigate thousands of firms suspected of using Thai shareholders to bypass the law.
The Commerce Ministry says more than 53,000 risky corporate links have already been identified, with sectors including property, tourism, e-commerce and construction under close scrutiny.
Officials warn the issue is no longer just economic but increasingly tied to national security, foreign settlements and free-visa loopholes.

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Thailand is stepping up its crackdown on foreign nominee businesses as authorities investigate thousands of firms suspected of using Thai shareholders to bypass the law.

The Commerce Ministry says more than 53,000 risky corporate links have already been identified, with sectors including property, tourism, e-commerce and construction under close scrutiny.

Officials warn the issue is no longer just economic but increasingly tied to national security, foreign settlements and free-visa loopholes.



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Suphajee Suthumpun, Minister of Commerce, said after travelling to Washington, DC, United States, with “Team Thailand+” from May 4 to May 5, that the visit was intended to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation between Thailand and the United States, an important economic partner of Thailand.
She said the delegation took part in key activities and held wide-ranging talks with both the US public and private sectors.
The visit reflected the Thai government’s commitment to strengthening economic relations with the United States in all dimensions, including trade, investment and cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Suphajee Suthumpun, Minister of Commerce, said after travelling to Washington, DC, United States, with “Team Thailand+” from May 4 to May 5, that the visit was intended to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation between Thailand and the United States, an important economic partner of Thailand.

She said the delegation took part in key activities and held wide-ranging talks with both the US public and private sectors.

The visit reflected the Thai government’s commitment to strengthening economic relations with the United States in all dimensions, including trade, investment and cooperation between the public and private sectors.



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🏗️ How to Structure a Thailand Company for Legal Zero-Tariff Exports

Zero-tariff exports don’t happen by luck.

They are not achieved by:
❌ Simply registering a company
❌ Getting BOI approval
❌ Applying for an FBL
❌ Issuing a Certificate of Origin

They are achieved through structural alignment.

If you want sustainable 0% tariff access, your Thailand company must align:

✔️ Target export market
✔️ Tariff modeling & HS classification
✔️ Rules of Origin requirements
✔️ Manufacturing substance
✔️ Sourcing strategy
✔️ Corporate licensing (BOI / FBL / standard)
✔️ Documentation systems

Many companies are legally registered —
but not export-ready.

Zero-tariff is not a benefit you apply for.
It is a structure you build.

Thailand offers:
• Strong regional integration
• Flexible corporate options
• Industrial depth
• Strategic FTA access

But only when designed correctly from day one.

👉 Read the full article:
How to Structure a Thailand Company for Legal Zero-Tariff Exports
🔗 https://brwthaiconsult.com/how-to-structure-a-thailand-company-for-legal-zero-tariff-exports/

🇹🇭➡️🇺🇸 Exporting from Thailand to the U.S.: GSP, Tariffs, and Reality

Many investors ask:

> Can we export from Thailand to the U.S. at 0% tariff?

The short answer: **Sometimes — but not automatically.**

Here’s the reality:

✔️ Thailand does NOT have a bilateral FTA with the United States
✔️ U.S. MFN tariffs generally apply
✔️ GSP may provide 0% — but only for specific products
✔️ GSP is a unilateral program, not a guaranteed treaty

Tariff outcomes depend on:

* Correct HS classification
* Substantial transformation
* GSP eligibility (when active)
* Trade remedy exposure
* Supply chain origin

Many exporters assume “Made in Thailand” means zero tariff.
That assumption can be costly.

> The U.S. market rewards precision — not optimism.

Before structuring manufacturing in Thailand for U.S. export, tariff modeling and origin planning must be done first.

👉 Read the full article:
**Exporting from Thailand to the U.S.: GSP, Tariffs, and Reality**
🔗 https://brwthaiconsult.com/exporting-from-thailand-to-the-u-s-gsp-tariffs-and-reality/

🏭 Zero-Tariff Manufacturing in Thailand: Which Industries Benefit Most?

Not all industries gain equally from Thailand’s Free Trade Agreements.

Zero-tariff advantage depends on:
✔️ Regional demand
✔️ Supply-chain integration
✔️ Ability to meet Rules of Origin
✔️ Tariff differentials in target markets

Some sectors are structurally better positioned to benefit.

🔹 Automotive & Auto Parts
🔹 Electronics & Electrical Components
🔹 Machinery & Industrial Equipment
🔹 Processed Food & Agriculture
🔹 Chemicals & Plastics
🔹 Emerging EV & Advanced Manufacturing

Thailand’s strength is not just incentives —
it’s the combination of industrial depth + FTA network + regional integration.

But here’s the key insight 👇
Zero-tariff manufacturing only works when industry choice and structural design align.

The right sector + the right structure = sustainable tariff advantage.

👉 Read more:
Zero-Tariff Manufacturing in Thailand: Industries That Benefit Most
🔗 Full article on https://brwthaiconsult.com/zero-tariff-manufacturing-in-thailand-industries-that-benefit-most/

🏢 Can Trading or Service Companies Benefit from Zero-Tariff Exports?

Many investors assume:

“We don’t need manufacturing.
We’ll just set up a trading company in Thailand and use its FTAs.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

Zero-tariff benefits under FTAs are based on product origin — not company registration.

Here’s the reality:

❌ A pure trading company does not create new origin
❌ Repackaging or minimal handling does not qualify
❌ Service companies alone cannot generate tariff benefits

✔️ Manufacturing transformation
✔️ Regional Value Content
✔️ Proper Rules of Origin compliance

These are what determine whether your exports can legally enter a market at 0% import duty.

FTAs reward economic substance — not paperwork.

Many companies are legally registered and fully operational
but still fail to qualify for zero-tariff treatment
because the structure was not designed with origin rules in mind.

👉 Read more:
Can Trading or Service Companies Benefit from Zero-Tariff Exports?
🔗 https://brwthaiconsult.com/can-trading-or-service-companies-benefit-from-zero-tariff-exports/

TAT leads a 36-strong delegation to OTM 2026, targeting 93 billion baht in revenue by pivoting towards wellness and the lucrative "high-value" niche market.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a high-profile offensive at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026, held this week at the Jio Convention Centre.

Heading a delegation of 36 Thai tourism operators, the body aims to capitalise on record-breaking momentum and secure 2.55 million Indian arrivals by the end of the year.

Under the fresh marketing banner "Healing is the New Luxury," Thailand is repositioning itself to move beyond mass tourism, specifically targeting India's "quality travellers"—high-spending segments including millennials, destination wedding parties, and wellness seekers.

Record-Breaking Momentum

The strategic push follows a stellar performance over the last 24 months. In 2024, Indian arrivals hit a historic 2.1 million, and the market surged again in 2025 to 2.49 million visitors, generating a staggering 87,749 million baht in revenue.

Early data for 2026 suggests no signs of a slowdown. Between 1 January and 4 February, 256,782 Indian tourists have already entered the kingdom, solidifying India’s position as Thailand’s fourth-largest source market.

TAT leads a 36-strong delegation to OTM 2026, targeting 93 billion baht in revenue by pivoting towards wellness and the lucrative "high-value" niche market.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a high-profile offensive at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026, held this week at the Jio Convention Centre.

Heading a delegation of 36 Thai tourism operators, the body aims to capitalise on record-breaking momentum and secure 2.55 million Indian arrivals by the end of the year.

Under the fresh marketing banner "Healing is the New Luxury," Thailand is repositioning itself to move beyond mass tourism, specifically targeting India's "quality travellers"—high-spending segments including millennials, destination wedding parties, and wellness seekers.

Record-Breaking Momentum

The strategic push follows a stellar performance over the last 24 months. In 2024, Indian arrivals hit a historic 2.1 million, and the market surged again in 2025 to 2.49 million visitors, generating a staggering 87,749 million baht in revenue.

Early data for 2026 suggests no signs of a slowdown. Between 1 January and 4 February, 256,782 Indian tourists have already entered the kingdom, solidifying India’s position as Thailand’s fourth-largest source market.



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🧩 Rules of Origin: The Real Key to 0% Import Duty from Thailand

Many investors believe that manufacturing in Thailand automatically qualifies their products for zero-tariff exports.

That is one of the most expensive misunderstandings in international trade.

In reality, 0% import duty depends on Rules of Origin — not location alone.

✔️ Where your materials come from
✔️ How much value is added in Thailand
✔️ Whether your production changes the tariff classification
✔️ Which FTA you are using

Get this wrong, and zero-tariff benefits can be denied — or clawed back during audits.

Rules of Origin are not paperwork.
They are a structural design issue.

📌 Many companies are fully licensed and operational
but still fail to qualify for FTA benefits because origin rules were never planned from the start.

👉 Read more:
Rules of Origin Explained: How Products Qualify for 0% Import Duty
🔗 https://brwthaiconsult.com/rules-of-origin-explained-how-products-qualify-for-0-import-duty/

🚦 BOI, FBL, or FTA? Choosing the Right Path for Tariff-Free Exports

Many foreign investors entering Thailand ask the same question:
“Should we apply for BOI, FBL, or rely on FTAs to get zero-tariff exports?”

The problem is — these are not alternatives.

✔️ BOI answers whether Thailand wants to promote your investment
✔️ FBL answers whether a foreign company can legally operate the business
✔️ FTA determines whether your products can enter export markets at 0% import duty

Confusing one for another is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes investors make.

❌ BOI does not guarantee zero-tariff exports
❌ FBL does not provide trade or tax benefits
❌ FTAs do not replace business licenses

Zero-tariff exports are achieved only when BOI, FBL, and FTA are aligned correctly — from the start.

📌 Many companies are fully licensed but still cannot use FTA benefits
because their structure is legal, but not export-ready.

👉 Read more:
BOI, FBL, or FTA? Choosing the Right Path for Tariff-Free Exports
🔗 https://brwthaiconsult.com/boi-fbl-or-fta-choosing-the-right-path-for-tariff-free-exports/

🧩 Thailand’s FTA Network: How the Pieces Fit for Zero-Tariff Exports

Many investors know Thailand has “many FTAs.”
What fewer understand is how those FTAs connect — and why structure matters.

Thailand’s FTA network works like a puzzle:
each agreement is one piece, and zero-tariff access only happens when the right pieces fit together.

✔️ ASEAN as the foundation
✔️ Expansion to China, Japan, Korea, Australia & New Zealand
✔️ RCEP connecting multiple markets into one regional framework
✔️ Bilateral FTAs adding niche advantages

But here’s the key insight 👇
❌ Having FTAs is not enough
❌ Using the wrong agreement or structure can break the chain
❌ Zero-tariff benefits depend on how the pieces are assembled

FTA access is about design, not geography.

📌 Investors who succeed don’t just choose Thailand —
they design their business to work with Thailand’s FTA network.

👉 Read more:
Thailand’s FTA Network: Markets Where Zero-Tariff Access Is Possible
🔗 Full article on https://brwthaiconsult.com/thailand-fta-network-markets-where-zero-tariff-access-is-possible/