Hotel Business Thailand
Setting up a hotel business in Thailand is an appealing way for foreign entrepreneurs and investors to establish their presence within the country’s important tourism and accommodation industries.
Required Business Licenses
Foreign Business License
Mandatory if you are setting up a hotel business with more than 49% foreign ownership.
Construction License
Must be secured from a certified architect before building the property or conducting renovations. (Not needed for leased properties)
Hotel Business License
Necessary for any establishment providing sleeping accommodation for 4 or more guests and comprised of 20 or more beds. (
Entertainment License
Required for offering live music entertainment and performances, or radio and streaming platform music. (May also require music license for use of Intellectual Properties)
Restaurant Business License
Necessary for hotels providing catering or restaurant services. Mandatory for companies with minimum premises of 200 m2.
Alcohol License
Mandatory for any hotel that serves alcohol products on their property.
Key Requirements for setting up a Hotel business in Thailand
How to ensure compliance?
- Fire Safety Certification: You must have your property inspected and approved by the Department of Fire and Rescue services for meeting safety standards.
- Hotel Management Agreement: Necessary if you are establishing a partnership between the owner of the hotel and a management company that will operate the premises. Must include details on contract length, management fees, branding, and property maintenance.
- Minimum capital Requirements: Hotel operations require a minimum investment of 3 million THB (Approx. USD 85,320).
- Board of Investment (BOI) Promotion: Companies that the BOI promotes have fewer foreign ownership restrictions and certain tax incentives. To qualify, your hotel must have at least 100 rooms or a minimum investment of 500 million THB (approx. USD 14 million)
Key steps for starting a Hotel Business in Thailand
Emerhub’s team of local advisors can help you navigate the key requirements for setting up your Thai hotel business. There are several important steps in the process:
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Business Licensing
Schedule a call with an Emerhub consultant in Thailand
- Tell us about your plans
- We’ll reach out to you to discuss your options