Business licences in Thailand: FBL, FDA, tourism, factory and telecom
Registering a company does not by itself allow every activity. Many businesses also need a sector licence from a separate regulator, each with its own law, documents and inspection. We identify the licences your activity needs, prepare the application pack and follow up with officials. The regulator decides; we do not guarantee approval.
Ask which licence you need on LINE @THAILCommon licences and the law behind them
- Foreign Business Licence (FBL): for foreign-majority companies in activities listed in the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999); section 17 sets a 60-day decision period after a complete application, filed with the Department of Business Development
- Food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices: product and premises approvals from the Thai FDA under the Food Act B.E. 2522 and related product laws
- Tour operators: a tourism business licence from the Department of Tourism under the Tourism Business and Guide Act B.E. 2551, including a security deposit placed with the registrar under the Ministerial Regulation of 2020 (B.E. 2563): THB 3,000 for a specific-area licence, THB 15,000 domestic, THB 30,000 inbound and THB 60,000 general (government deposit, not a service fee)
- Factories: a factory operating licence (Ror.Ngor.4) for type 3 factories under the Factory Act B.E. 2535, issued by the Department of Industrial Works or the provincial industry office
- Telecommunications and internet services: a licence from the NBTC under the Telecommunications Business Act B.E. 2544, by licence type
How we work
- Check eligibility and list every licence the planned activity needs
- Prepare the application pack: company documents, premises plans and photos, business plan and licence-specific forms
- File and follow up with the regulator, and coordinate any site inspection
- Record expiry dates and renewal or notification deadlines for each licence
Frequently asked questions
How long does a licence take?
It depends on the regulator and document completeness. For an FBL, section 17 of the Foreign Business Act requires a decision within 60 days of a complete application, excluding time spent on extra document requests.
Are government fees included in your quote?
No. Government fees and deposits are set by each regulator and listed separately. Our service fee is quoted in writing once the licence type is known.
Will there be a site inspection?
It depends on the licence. Food production premises and factories are usually inspected; other applications may be inspected at the regulator's discretion.
Do licences renew automatically?
No. Holders must renew or notify by each regulator's deadline. We can set up a reminder schedule.
What if the application is refused?
We review the regulator's reasons, then refile with corrected documents or appeal within the period set by the governing law. Any extra scope is confirmed in writing first.
Related services
Sources
- Government info centre: FBL application under s.17 (Thai)
- Thai FDA Food Division: food permit guides (Thai)
- Tourism Business and Guide Act B.E. 2551, Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Thai)
- Department of Industrial Works: type 3 factory licence manual (Thai)
- NBTC telecom licence FAQ: licence types and timelines (Thai)
Sources checked 30 Oct 2026. Our service fees are quoted per scope of work.