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Thailand BOI Incentives 2025: Your Comprehensive Guide

  • Writer: gentlelawlawfirm
    gentlelawlawfirm
  • Nov 22, 2025
  • 5 min read

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Understanding Thailand's Investment Promotion Framework


Thailand is actively promoting investment as a key policy tool. The Investment Promotion Guide 2025 outlines various activity groups and incentive durations. This includes A1 plus through A4 for tax incentives and B for non-tax incentives. It also details essential non-tax privileges, such as land ownership permission and facilitation for foreign experts.


This article translates the official framework into actionable steps. We will cover the Thailand BOI incentives 2025 package, minimum capital and debt-to-equity standards, the workings of a Foreign Business Certificate for BOI-promoted projects, how to file via the e Investment system, and where to obtain visa and work permit support at the new TIESC in One Bangkok.


The Legal Backbone You Can Rely On


  • Investment Promotion Act. This statute establishes the framework for BOI promotion and privileges for promoted persons.

  • Foreign Business Act interface. A foreigner promoted under the investment promotion law who operates a List 2 or List 3 business must notify the Director General to obtain a certificate under Section 12. The certificate is issued within 30 days after verification. It exempts the business from most FBA provisions while the promotion remains in force. This is the route used by BOI-promoted companies to obtain the Foreign Business Certificate.


What Thailand BOI Incentives 2025 Look Like in Practice


Tax Incentives by Activity Group


The 2025 guide outlines the corporate income tax exemption caps. A1 plus typically offers 10 to 13 years with no cap. A1 and A2 provide up to 8 years with no cap, while A3 offers five years and A4 three years. Import duty exemptions and reductions align with the activity list. Additional years may apply for projects in promoted industrial estates or low-income provinces. Always confirm the exact activity code and conditions in your certificate.


Non-Tax Incentives You Can Rely On


The 2025 guide specifies non-tax incentives. These include permission to own land for the promoted activity, permission to bring in skilled workers and experts, permission to enter Thailand for feasibility studies, and permission to remit money abroad. These incentives are crucial for execution and are explicitly mentioned in the guide.


Minimum Capital, Debt-to-Equity Ratio, and Feasibility Study Thresholds


For most projects, the minimum capital investment is 1 million baht, excluding land and working capital. Newly established projects must maintain a debt-to-equity ratio not exceeding 3 to 1. Projects over 2,000 million baht must include a feasibility study. These baseline requirements are laid out in the 2025 guide.


Decentralization and Location-Based Boosters


Projects located in BOI-promoted industrial estates or specified low-income provinces may receive extra corporate income tax years or a 50 percent reduction after the tax holiday, depending on the group. Always check the location rules table in the 2025 guide before selecting your site.


Application Workflow That Aligns with the 2025 Rules


  1. Map Your Activity Code and Conditions

    Confirm the activity description and any sector-specific standards referenced in the guide. If a project requires external certification before exercising tax exemption, calendar that step.


  2. Submit on the e Investment Platform

    Create an account and file through the BOI e Investment Promotion system. Use the official portal to submit applications and track their status.


  3. Observe the Acceptance and Certificate Timelines

    After approval, the guide outlines timelines to accept promotion and obtain the investment promotion certificate. The certificate is issued within 10 working days after BOI receives complete documents. Use these milestones in your Gantt plan.


  4. Prepare Visa and Work Authorization through TIESC

    For promoted projects, coordinate visas and work permits at the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC) located at One Bangkok, 6th and 7th floors, Parade Zone. This is the integrated service hub replacing the prior locations.


  5. Plan the FBA Step if Your Activity is Restricted

    If your BOI-promoted company operates a List 2 or 3 activity under the FBA, notify the Director General to obtain the Foreign Business Certificate under Section 12. This step sits alongside your BOI process and is based on the investment promotion certificate.


Thailand BOI Incentives 2025 Compliance Checkpoints


  • Scope and Duration in Your Certificate. The certificate will specify activity scope, tax holiday duration, and whether additional merit-based or location-based incentives apply. Cross-check the activity table in the 2025 guide.

  • Capital and Debt-to-Equity Covenant. Maintain the 1 million baht minimum capital and the 3 to 1 debt-to-equity ratio for new projects, or the thresholds specified for your activity.


  • E-Systems After Approval. Expect downstream systems for machinery lists and raw material privileges. Use BOI online services for application, reporting, and incentive utilization.


  • TIESC Routing for People and Permits. Use TIESC for integrated investor, visa, and work permit services.


  • Global Minimum Tax Awareness. Multinational groups in scope of the OECD Pillar Two rules will face a 15 percent minimum effective tax from 1 January 2025. This can reduce the benefit of local corporate tax holidays through top-up tax. Model this in your location decision.


Worked Scenarios


Scenario A: Software Development Center with Regional Clients


A knowledge-based activity applies for A2 or A3 incentives depending on R&D content and technology criteria. Submit via e Investment, maintain the debt-to-equity ratio and minimum capital, and plan foreign expert onboarding through TIESC. If any service scope falls under FBA List 3, obtain the Foreign Business Certificate under Section 12 based on the BOI promotion.


Scenario B: Component Manufacturing in an Industrial Estate Upcountry


Manufacturing activities in promoted estates may gain one extra year or a reduction after the holiday. Confirm group A category and location rules in the 2025 guide before finalizing the site. Use BOI e-systems for machinery import approvals and reporting.


Scenario C: Global Group Considering Thailand Versus Neighbors


If the group is in scope of Pillar Two in 2025, evaluate whether a local tax holiday would be offset by a 15 percent top-up in the headquarters jurisdiction. BOI non-tax incentives like land ownership and visa facilitation may still shift the business case in Thailand’s favor.


FAQs


Can a BOI promoted company be majority foreign owned?

Yes. If the activity is restricted under the FBA, a BOI promoted company can obtain a Foreign Business Certificate under Section 12. This allows operation during the promotion period after notification and verification.


What is the minimum capital for BOI projects?

The general minimum is 1 million baht, excluding land and working capital. Specific adjustments apply for knowledge-based activities as set in the guide.


Where do I process visas and work permits for BOI staff in Bangkok in 2025?

At TIESC in One Bangkok, 6th and 7th floors, Parade Zone, coordinated by BOI and partner agencies.


How do I submit the application?

Use the e Investment Promotion system on the BOI website.


Call to Action


If you want a single team to design, file, and operationalize Thailand BOI incentives 2025, GENTLE LAW IBL can map your activity code, optimize tax and non-tax privileges, manage the e Investment process, secure the Foreign Business Certificate where required, and coordinate onboarding at TIESC.

Book a consultation: https://www.gentlelawibl.com

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