Treaty of Amity: The American Advantage

If you're an American citizen, you have access to a special pathway for Thailand business ownership: the Treaty of Amity.

 

What is the Treaty of Amity?

The US-Thailand Treaty of Amity (signed 1966) is a bilateral agreement giving American companies special privileges in Thailand. It exempts US citizens from most Foreign Business Act restrictions.

 

Key Benefits

1. 100% American Ownership

No Thai shareholders required. Own your company entirely.

 

2. No Foreign Business License

Operate in restricted categories without FBL approval.

 

3. Lower Personal Tax Rate

Personal income tax capped at 17% instead of 35%.

 

4. Simplified Setup

Faster and simpler than BOI application.

 

Who Qualifies

• You must be a US citizen
• Company must be majority US-owned (>50% by US citizens)
• Can be US company or Thai company owned by Americans

 

What's Still Restricted

Even under Treaty of Amity, some activities remain off-limits:

• Communications (TV, radio)
• Transportation (airlines, shipping)
• Banking/financial services
• Domestic trading (must export to qualify)
• Real estate development
• Mining

 

Treaty vs. BOI: Quick Comparison

| Factor | Treaty of Amity | BOI | |--------|-----------------|-----| | US citizens only? | Yes | No | | Tax exemption | No (17% cap) | Yes (8 years) | | Timeline | 3-4 weeks | 3-6 months | | Best for | Professional services | Tech/digital |

 

When to Choose Treaty

If you're American and don't need BOI tax benefits, the Treaty of Amity offers a faster, simpler path to 100% ownership.

 

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Related Service: Company Registration & Legal Services — Treaty of Amity registration support.