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Transparent Pricing for Business Setup in Thailand: Understanding Service and Government Fees

Written by Bart Roger G Claeys | Mar 29, 2025 1:06:06 AM

Starting a business in Thailand is an exciting step toward entrepreneurial success and growth in one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic markets. However, navigating the financial aspects, particularly the fee structure involving service fees and government charges, often leaves business owners confused or uncertain. At Thai-Co, we understand that clarity builds trust, and transparency ensures confidence. In this detailed guide, we demystify the differences between professional service fees and government-imposed charges, explaining why they're separated, how they're calculated, and why some fees remain fixed and non-negotiable.

Why Separate Service Fees and Government Fees?

Thai-Co is committed to clear and straightforward pricing. Our business setup packages include comprehensive services tailored to streamline your startup journey—from Business advice, documentation, visa, and work permits, to ongoing administrative support. However, these services don't include the government charges you must pay directly to Thai authorities. The primary reason for this clear separation is transparency: government fees are fixed, regulated, and subject to specific conditions, making them independent of our services.

Understanding Government Fees

Government fees are payments required by law for various official processes associated with setting up and operating your business in Thailand. They are standard fees, publicly listed, and non-negotiable. It's important to understand these are not marked-up fees by Thai-Co or any other consultant. These fees must be paid directly to government offices and cannot be discounted, waived, or altered. The rationale behind this is simple—these fees are statutory and regulated to maintain uniformity and fairness.

Detailed Breakdown of Government Fees

To enhance your understanding, we've outlined the major government fees associated with business incorporation, visas, and work permits:

Company Registration Fees:

When registering a Thai Limited Company, government fees are determined by your initial registered capital. Here's a detailed breakdown:

    • Capital up to THB 1,000,000: The fee is approximately THB 7,000.
    • Capital of THB 2,000,000: The fee increases to around THB 12,000.
    • For each additional THB 1,000,000: An extra fee of THB 6,000 is applied.
    These fees are directly tied to the starting capital of your business, making it essential to accurately evaluate your capital requirements.

VAT and Social Security Registration Fees:

  • The good news here is that registering for VAT (Value Added Tax) and Social Security Office (SSO) in Thailand comes with no government fee. These services are provided free by the Thai government to encourage compliance.

Work Permit Application and Issuance Fees:

When planning to work or conduct business in Thailand, it's essential to understand the various fees associated with visa applications and work permit authorizations. Below is a detailed breakdown of these costs:

    • Application Fee: THB 100
    • Issuance Fee: This fee varies based on the duration of the permit:
       
      • Up to 3 months: THB 750
      • Between 3–6 months: THB 1,500
      • Between 6–12 months: THB 3,000
    • WP3 Pre-Approval (Letter for Work Permit Authorization):
       
      • Standardized government fee: THB 100
    • Non-Immigrant B Visa Application Fees: The type of visa required depends on your travel plans, business activities, and the frequency of your entries and exits from Thailand:
       
      • Single-entry visa (3-month validity): THB 2,000
      • Multiple-entry visa (1-year validity): THB 5,000
    • 1-Year Non-Immigrant B Visa Extension Fee:
       
      • Set government fee: THB 1,900

        This fee allows you to remain in Thailand continuously for business activities, renewable annually based on compliance with visa conditions.
    • Re-Entry Permit Fees: Re-entry permits are essential for maintaining the validity of your visa when you need to travel outside of Thailand. These permits ensure that your visa remains active and you can re-enter the country without any issues. There are two types of re-entry permits available:
       
      • Single-entry re-entry permit: This permit costs THB 1,000 and is suitable for individuals who plan to leave and return to Thailand only once during the validity of their visa. It is a cost-effective option for those with minimal travel needs.
      • Multiple-entry re-entry permit: Priced at THB 3,800, this permit is ideal for those who anticipate frequent travel in and out of Thailand. It allows multiple entries, providing flexibility and convenience for business travelers or those with personal commitments abroad.Why Thai-Co's Professional Fees are Separate

         

        At Thai-Co, our professional fees cover our expertise, advisory services, meticulous preparation, and handling of documentation, liaison with authorities, and personalized client support. These fees reflect our commitment to providing seamless, efficient services, ensuring your business registration and compliance are handled professionally and error-free.

        However, because government fees fluctuate based on government regulations, registered capital, and your individual circumstances (e.g., visa type, frequency of travel, work permit duration), we transparently exclude these fees from our bundled pricing. This separation allows us to offer fixed, predictable professional rates while clearly showing clients exactly what they are paying the government separately.

Importance of Transparency and Trust

Transparency isn't just good ethics—it's good business. By clearly distinguishing our professional fees from government fees, Thai-Co builds trust, allowing our clients to budget accurately, avoid surprises, and understand precisely what they’re investing in. We firmly believe that transparency is foundational to strong, lasting business relationships.

Why Government Fees Cannot be Discounted

A common misconception is that professional service providers can offer discounts or waive government fees. This is incorrect. Government fees are strictly regulated by Thai authorities and are uniformly applied to all applicants. No service provider, including Thai-Co, has the authority or ability to modify, discount, or waive these fees.

Potential Partner Discounts

While government fees remain constant, Thai-Co proudly maintains strategic agreements with trusted partners across various sectors. These partnerships are carefully cultivated based on mutual benefits, long-term collaboration, and a shared commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in Thailand. Because of these beneficial relationships, we often receive preferential terms, cost savings, or exclusive benefits from our partners. We firmly believe in building a robust professional network that ultimately benefits our clients. Therefore, we are committed to passing along these partner-derived advantages directly to our clients in the form of discounts and promotional offers on our professional service fees. These discounts are transparently separated from the mandatory statutory government fees, ensuring clarity and integrity in all our pricing practices.

Customization and Client Needs

Government fee structures are directly tied to client-specific needs—such as the chosen registered capital for your business, visa type, or frequency of travel. These variables inherently impact government charges, and thus transparency in separating these charges from professional service fees helps clients choose the right business setup plan that aligns best with their financial and operational objectives.

Comprehensive Business Starter Bundle from Thai-Co

 Our popular Business Starter Basic Bundle, includes:

  • Thai Company Registration
  • VAT and SSO Registration
  • WP3 Pre-approval
  • Non-B Visa Application & 1-Year Extension
  • Work Permit Issuance

Clients should note, clearly outlined as above, the government fees related to these services are additional, payable directly to relevant authorities. By bundling our professional services clearly and transparently, Thai-Co provides a comprehensive yet affordable solution tailored precisely to new entrepreneurs.

Thai-Co, Building Confidence through Clarity

At Thai-Co, transparency is not merely a marketing term—it's our business philosophy. Clear differentiation between service fees and government fees protects your interests, builds confidence, and lays a solid foundation for your business success in Thailand.

When partnering with Thai-Co, you can trust in receiving clear guidance, precise information, and expert support every step of the way. Our mission is straightforward—to simplify the complexities, clarify your expenses, and ensure your business launch in Thailand is both smooth and successful.

Contact Thai-Co today to start your transparent and stress-free business journey in Thailand.