The travel and tour guide business is regulated by the Tourist Business and Guide Act. Before engaging in the tourist business, one has to apply for a TAT license (Tourism Authority of Thailand) with the Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office.
With the travel and tour guide business being a restricted activity under the Foreign Business Act, a foreigner that wants to get involved in the tourist business will have to incorporate a juristic person to apply for the TAT license.
The company must have the following characteristics:
1. Be registered under Thai law 2. Have as its business purpose the support of tourists in Thailand 3. All unlimited liabilities must be of Thai origin 4. In a limited company, no fewer than half of the directors must be of Thai nationality and not less than 51% of the capital must be owned by natural persons that are of Thai nationality
Required documents
1. TAT license application form, signed by a Thai director and stamped with the seal of the company 2. Certificate of Registration and Objectives of the Company under the Civil and Commercial Code (not older than one month). Important note: only a Thai director has the power to sign and stamp the seal of the company. 3. List of shareholders’ names, certified by the Minister of Commerce 4. Memorandum of Association which must be certified by the Minister of Commerce 5. The Company’s Regulations or – if the Company has no Company’s Regulations - a report of Company’s Establishment Meeting which must be certified by the Minister of Commerce 6. A copy of the director’s personal ID card and his registered address which must be certified by the director 7. The Seal of the company 8. Two photos of the front of the office (showing the address and nameplate) 9. A map of the office 10. Certification of the Ownership (or evidence of possession) of the office 11. Power of Attorney 12. A Guarantee (either cash or cashier’s check) to be used as security
Bank guarantee and government Fees for TAT license;
1. Outbound: security of 200,000 THB and a government fee of 500 THB 2. Inbound: security of 100,000 THB and a government fee of 500 THB 3. Domestic: security of 50,000 THB and a government fee of 300 THB
