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ARTICLE · 06 SEPTEMBER 2021

Foreign Investment Restrictions Guide 2021

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The main legislation that governs and imposes restrictions on foreign investment in Thailand is the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) ("FBA").

ThailandGovernment, Public Sector
Kobkit Thienpreecha
Kobkit Thienpreecha
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Please provide a short summary of the Foreign Investment Restrictions adopted by your jurisdiction.

The main legislation that governs and imposes restrictions on foreign investment in Thailand is the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) ("FBA"). The FBA provides a list of business activities that are reserved for Thai nationals and thus, limits the ability of the foreigners to engage in such reserved business activities. These reserved business activities are categorized into 3 categories which are as follows:

  • List 1 consists of the business activities in which the foreigners are strictly prohibited from engaging for a special reason.
  • List 2 consists of the business activities which are related to national safety or security or having impacts on arts, culture, traditions, customs and folklore handicrafts, or natural resources and the environment. Any foreigner wishing to engage in the business activities under this List 2 must obtain permission from the

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