Thailand Business Guide - UK Trade & Investment

HELPING YOUR BUSINESS GROW INTERNATIONALLY 

Thailand 

Business 

Guide

This guide was produced by the UK Trade & Investment Thailand Markets Unit in collaboration with 

the British Posts in Thailand. 

Disclaimer 

Whereas every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this document is accurate, 

neither UK Trade & Investment nor its parent Departments (the Department for Business, Innovation 

and Skills, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) accept liability for any errors, omissions or 

misleading statements, and no warranty is given or responsibility accepted as to the standing of any 

individual, firm, company or other organisation mentioned. 

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Front cover image: Bangkok

CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION Why Thailand? 4 

About this Business Guide 10 

RESEARCHING THE MARKET Where to begin 12 

How we can help you 15 

MARKET ENTRY Key business locations 17 

Establishing a presence 18 

Getting to Thailand 22 

GETTING STARTED Finding a customer or partner 24 

Due diligence 25 

Employing staff 26 

Language 29 

Marketing 30 

Day-to-day communications 31 

Interpreters 32 

BUSINESS ISSUES AND Intellectual property rights (IPR) 37 

CONSIDERATIONS Procurement 39 

Regulations and standards 41 

Getting paid and financial issues 46 

Insurance 47 

Management control and quality assurance 48 

Bribery and corruption 48 

BUSINESS CULTURE Monarchy 50 

Religion 50 

Introductions and greetings 51 

Making conversation 51 

Entertainment 52 

Gifts 52 

Body language and gestures 53 

Meetings and presentations 53 

Negotiating techniques 54 

UK SUCCESS STORIES 55 

CONTACTS 56 

RESOURCES/USEFUL LINKS 57 

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INTRODUCTION 

WHY THAILAND? 

Thailand offers exciting business opportunities to companies prepared to take a serious 

interest in this dynamic market. 

Over a number of years, Thailand, which has a population of 67 million, has managed to 

transform its economy from one that was primarily agriculture-based, to one of the most 

diverse in the region. As well as agriculture, major industries include food processing, 

cement, integrated circuits, automotive parts and assembly, petroleum products, textiles, 

footwear, toys, furniture, synthetic fibre and tourism. The country has a well-developed 

infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy and generally pro-investment policies. 

Strategically located at the heart of Asia 

– one of the world’s largest growing 

economic regions – Thailand is also 

well placed to offer a gateway to both 

the ASEAN (Association of Southeast 

Asian Nations) and Asia-Pacific markets, 

particularly India and China, many of 

which offer great business potential. 

The ASEAN region alone has a cumulative 

population of more than 500 million and 

GDP in excess of US$700 billion. 

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Within ASEAN, Thailand’s economy is in 

the top three in terms of size and volume 

of international trade. It is therefore well 

positioned as the region moves towards 

economic integration and a single freetrade 

area in 2015. Zero tariffs between 

the top five members (including Thailand) 

were implemented in January 2010.

Economic leader 

Thailand is one of the largest growth 

markets in Asia, having recovered well from 

a recent slump in the global economy. 

Growth of 7.85 per cent is estimated 

for 2010 and 3-5 per cent for 2011. The 

Thai currency, the baht, is reflecting this 

performance and is now at its strongest 

level since the 1997 Asian financial crisis 

and among the fastest-appreciating 

currencies in the region. 

Stimulus packages will continue into the 

medium term, focusing on long-term 

competitiveness building rather than 

short-term injections. The Government 

is expected to spend 1.43 trillion baht 

(approx £27 billion) between 2010 and 

2012, benefiting sectors such as transport, 

public health, water supply development, 

education and training, and housing. 

Thailand has been designated a high-growth 

market under UK Trade & Investment’s 

five-year strategy. 

Open for business 

The Thai Government welcomes foreign 

investment. The country maintains an 

open, market-oriented economy and 

views foreign investment as a means 

of promoting economic development, 

employment and technology transfer. 

Through Thailand’s Board of Investment 

(BOI), the Thai Government offers a range 

of tax incentives, support services and 

import duty concessions to companies 

from various sectors seeking to invest in 

the market. 

Over the last few decades Thailand has 

been a major destination for foreign 

investment and this looks set to continue. 

A recent survey conducted by the Japan 

External Trade Organization (JETRO) stated 

that Thailand was the “most optimal 

location for establishing a production/sales 

base in the coming five to ten years.” 

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INTRODUCTION 

WHY THAILAND? (CONTINUED) 

Political situation 

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with 

a parliamentary government. The King, a 

highly revered figure in Thailand, is the 

Head of State, while the Prime Minister is 

the Head of Government. 

Thailand has had a number of military coups, 

most recently in September 2006. Civilian 

rule returned in February 2008. Despite 

frequent changes in government, Thailand’s 

economy continues to grow and has 

weathered the global economic crisis and the 

political demonstrations in early 2010. 

The recent political unrest has tested the 

operating environment for businesses in 

Thailand. Most companies are confident 

their operations can continue uninterrupted 

with adequate preparations in place, such as 

business continuity plans and backup sites. 

Political demonstrations, on occasion, have 

disrupted infrastructure, such as the closure 

of Bangkok’s international airport in 2008 

and its Skytrain system in early 2010. 

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Commercial opportunities 

The UK enjoys a healthy trading 

relationship with Thailand. From 2005 to 

2009 two-way trade in goods and services 

averaged £3.6 billion a year. In 2009 UK 

goods and services exports to Thailand 

increased by 14 per cent and 39 per cent 

respectively compared to the previous year. 

Although the balance of trade remains 

in Thailand’s favour (1:2.5), the UK is 

Thailand’s most significant European 

investor and the second-largest European 

exporter (after Germany). 

Thailand takes a welcoming approach to 

UK companies. British goods enjoy an 

excellent reputation there, although they 

must generally be cost-effective and have 

good after-sales support. 

There are a wide range of business 

opportunities for UK companies in 

Thailand. In particular, the country’s 

economic growth has created openings 

for UK firms in a number of infrastructure 

sectors, including electrical power, 

telecommunications and renewable energy.

Thai consumers are also creating 

opportunities for new sales of UK medical 

products, cosmetics, security equipment, 

food supplements and educational services. 

Moreover, UK companies are increasingly 

looking to Thailand not only as a thriving 

market in its own right, but also as a 

regional base for doing business more 

widely in Asia. 

The British Chamber of Commerce 

Thailand (BCCT) is the oldest foreign 

chamber and the largest non-Asian foreign 

chamber in Thailand. It is also the largest 

and oldest British Chamber in Asia with 

a membership of over 650 companies 

including Barclays Capital, BG Group, BT, 

Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, Prudential, 

Rolls-Royce, Shell, Standard Chartered Bank 

and Unilever. The UK retail sector is also 

well represented by a growing number of 

companies including Tesco, Boots, M&S, 

The Body Shop, Next, Mothercare, Burberry, 

Paul Smith, Thomas Pink, Savile Row 

Company, Ted Baker, Topshop and Fitflop. 

TOP TEN UK EXPORTS OF GOODS TO THAILAND IN 2010 (£MILLIONS) 

Item 2010 2009 % change 

Road vehicles 238 80 198 

Office machines 89 83 7 

Metal and scrap metal 60 36 67 

Specialised machinery 57 40 43 

Medicines and pharmaceutical products 54 48 13 

Power generating machinery and equipment 48 47 2 

General industrial machinery 44 42 5 

Beverages 43 31 39 

Electronic machinery and appliances 41 52 -21 

Miscellaneous manufactured articles 35 25 40 

Total 709 484 47 

Source: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills analysis of Office for National Statistics data 

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INTRODUCTION 

WHY THAILAND? (CONTINUED) 

8 

MARKET STRENGTHS 

Key strengths of the Thai market for UK companies include: 

• Hub of South-East Asia, gateway to Indochina and Southern China. 

• Improved and modernised transportation facilities. 

• Well-developed infrastructure and upgraded IT and communication systems. 

• State-of-the-art industrial estates. 

• Thailand ranked nineteenth out of 183 nations by the World Bank’s Ease 

of Doing Business survey in 2011. 

• Good transport hub. 

• Low-cost skilled workers and labour. 

• Government efforts to make Thailand a foreign-investor-friendly market, for example 

by tackling bribery and corruption, and simplifying import regulations. 

• Wealth of experienced international legal advisers and business consultants.

PRIORITY SECTORS 

The following sectors offer significant commercial opportunities for UK companies 

and reflect Thailand’s priorities and UK capability: 

Advanced engineering 

Agriculture 

Education and training 

Environment 

Food and drink 

Railways 

Power 

Opportunities also exist in: 

Automotive and automotive parts 

Healthcare, medical devices and 

pharmaceuticals (Thailand is aiming 

to be Asia’s medical hub) 

Petrochemicals 

Renewable energy 

Tourism 

Sports and leisure equipment 

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INTRODUCTION 

ABOUT THIS BUSINESS GUIDE 

Much of the information presented in this 

booklet is contributed by experts at UK 

Trade & Investment, British Diplomatic Posts 

and the British Chambers of Commerce. 

The Thailand Business Guide, which can 

also be downloaded from www.ukti.gov. 

uk/export/thailand, is intended to provide 

general business advice and should not be 

used as a substitute for market research, due 

diligence or legal and professional services. 

About UK Trade & Investment 

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the 

government department that helps UK-based 

companies succeed in international markets 

and assists overseas companies in bringing 

their high-quality investment to the UK’s 

dynamic economy. 

Combining the resources of the Department 

for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) 

and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 

(FCO), UKTI has a global network of 1,300 

staff in 162 locations in 96 markets based 

in British embassies and other diplomatic 

offices around the world. 

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We have helped many thousands of 

businesses achieve international success by 

providing tailored services with specialist 

support covering a wide range of industries. 

UKTI’s capacity-building services can 

make a real difference to your business. 

To use them your business may need to 

meet certain eligibility criteria. Your local 

International Trade Adviser (or equivalent 

person in Scotland, Wales and Northern 

Ireland) will be able to explain our range 

of services and how they can help you 

grow your business internationally. 

To find your local International Trade 

Adviser visit www.ukti.gov.uk/export.html

RESEARCHING THE MARKET 

WHERE TO BEGIN 

Doing business in Thailand 

may seem rather daunting for 

those new to the market, but 

taking a strategic approach 

is the key to making the 

process manageable. 

Companies should conduct 

reliable research before 

venturing into business in any 

new territory. Good research 

saves money and improves 

efficiency and performance 

right from the start. 

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Desk research 

General introductory business information 

about Thailand is increasingly available 

and companies can obtain a reasonable 

amount of preliminary insights through 

desk research. 

Economic research and sector analysis can 

often be obtained from a large number of 

leading consultancies, research agencies and 

public-sector trade promotion organisations. 

Furthermore, the increasing use of 

e-commerce and B2B (business-to-business) 

websites in Thailand has made identification 

of, and access to, potential partners possible 

across the globe. 

A good place to start is the UKTI website 

(www.ukti.gov.uk), which provides detailed 

country and sector information. Registration 

is free and offers additional benefits such 

as access to business opportunity alerts and 

information updates.

Consultation and bespoke research 

You should not rely solely on desk research. 

Websites and online materials can be out 

of date and the quality and reliability of 

content varies widely. Sometimes, you may 

simply be unable to find the information 

you’re looking for. This is why it is essential 

to verify initial research findings and 

conduct further investigations. 

Often, this requires you to map out a 

bespoke research brief with the help of 

specialists, exploring what additional 

information you might need to make an 

effective entry into the market and how 

you can make the contacts vital to success. 

UKTI offers a range of such services to 

UK businesses interested in exploring the 

Thai market. 

Speaking to an expert 

UKTI provides support for UK companies 

through a network of international trade 

teams based in the English regions. 

UKTI services are also available to firms 

in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

To arrange a consultation with your 

local International Trade Adviser 

call +44 (0)20 7215 8000 or visit 

www.ukti.gov.uk 

Overseas Market Introduction Service 

The Overseas Market Introduction Service 

(OMIS) is a UKTI service available to companies 

interested in researching the Thai market. It 

can assist you by undertaking tailored research 

using UKTI’s extensive network of dedicated 

researchers across Thailand. 

OMIS can be used in a wide variety of ways 

to help your business with its particular 

needs when entering the Thai market. 

They include: 

• Market research and analysis 

– Sector reports 

– Market initiatives 

– Regulatory environment 

– Market opportunities 

• Identification of local contacts 

– Agents 

– Distributors 

– Suppliers 

– Potential partners 

• In-market activities 

– Meeting arrangements 

– Event organisation, such as workshops, 

seminars, promotional activities and 

product launches. 

For more information about how OMIS 

could help you grow your business in 

Thailand, please contact your local 

International Trade Adviser. 

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Key questions 

• What are the unique selling points to 

your business proposition? Will there 

be a market for your products and 

services? 

• Are there any legal barriers to your 

business model? 

• Where in Thailand would you start? 

• Do you have sufficient resources 

(management time, project finance and 

expenses) to fund your Thai projects? 

• Who will be leading the project within 

your company? 

• Do you need to work with a partner 

in Thailand to succeed? Can you 

communicate with them effectively? 

• Have you evaluated business risks 

(such as protecting your intellectual 

property) and conducted research and 

due diligence? 

• Do you know how to secure payment 

and get the right quality products? 

Rarely will one have answers to all the 

questions above, and this “knowledge 

gap” forms the basis of further research 

and investigation. 

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Events and seminars 

UKTI organises business events, seminars 

and workshops in the UK and Thailand 

covering a wide range of business interests 

and issues. These events inform companies 

about business opportunities and offer the 

latest information about the Thai market. 

They also provide a valuable platform for 

networking and sharing experiences with 

like-minded peers and regular access to 

visiting Thai delegations. 

For information about events please visit 

www.ukti.gov.uk 

Market visits and trade missions 

Visiting Thailand is an invaluable part 

of the process of market entry. You will 

experience the marketplace first-hand, 

and make the contacts necessary to do 

business. This is essential, but will be much 

more effective with careful planning. 

UKTI organises regular trade missions 

to Thailand where you can benefit 

from group activities in addition to your 

own programme. 

UKTI’s OMIS service can be used to 

support visits, providing bespoke meeting 

arrangements with appropriate potential 

partners, agents and distributors or with 

relevant government officials.


HOW WE CAN HELP YOU 

UKTI provides a wide range of trade 

development services designed to help UK 

companies succeed internationally. Some of 

these services are provided at zero or heavily 

subsidised cost. All are delivered by experts 

with extensive experience of overseas trade 

and detailed knowledge of the global 

marketplace. If you are considering doing 

business in Thailand, speak to UKTI about 

our range of services and how we can help 

you to achieve your business objectives. 

UKTI services include: 

Overseas Market Introduction Service 

(OMIS): a chargeable, tailored service to 

help companies access market and industry 

information, identify potential contacts 

and plan an event. 

Passport to Export: provides new and 

inexperienced exporters with the training, 

planning advice and ongoing support they 

need to succeed overseas. 

Gateway to Global Growth – where next? 

a free service to experienced exporters. It 

offers a strategic export review, planning 

advice and support to help companies 

build on their previous export successes 

and develop new overseas markets. 

Events and seminars: are held across the 

UK and Thailand. They include specific 

sector-based activities. 

Trade missions: organised by UKTI to 

help UK companies visit the marketplace 

they are interested in and talk face to face 

with prospective business partners. UKTI 

also organises inward missions to the UK 

to allow overseas delegates to meet with 

potential partners or investors. 

Business opportunities: can be emailed 

directly to your inbox, highlighting sales 

leads in your chosen overseas market(s). 

Companies can register for this free service 

by visiting www.ukti.gov.uk 

Fiscal Stimulus Initiative: can help UK 

companies of all sizes to identify the 

opportunities created by fiscal stimulus 

packages and major spending programmes 

around the world. 

Export Communication Review: assesses 

the way companies communicate with 

overseas customers and makes practical 

recommendations for improvement. The 

service is managed for UKTI by the British 

Chambers of Commerce. 

15


HOW UKTI CAN HELP YOU (CONTINUED) 

Export Marketing Research Scheme: offers 

support, advice and grant funding to eligible 

companies wishing to research a potential 

export market. The service is managed for 

UKTI by the British Chambers of Commerce. 

FCO Country Updates: provide 

authoritative analysis of emerging markets 

and identify key issues relevant to UK 

businesses. The updates are compiled by 

British embassies with access to high-level 

government and business contacts. 

16 

For more information about UKTI 

services please contact your local UK 

International Trade Team.

MARKET ENTRY 

KEY BUSINESS LOCATIONS 

Thailand is divided geographically into four 

regions comprising 77 provinces. Bung Kan 

district, in Nong Khai, north-east Thailand, 

became the country’s seventy-seventh 

province in August 2010. 

• Central: location of Bangkok, 

the capital city. 

• North-east: the country’s most populous 

region and home to Nakhon Ratchasima 

(Korat), a main industrial city. The region 

is also a large source of rice and crops. 

• North: main cities include Chiang 

Mai and Chiang Rai, popular tourist 

destinations, particularly known for 

handicrafts. 

• South: well known for travel and 

tourism, with world-renowned beach 

resorts such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Hua 

Hin, Phang Nga and Krabi. 

As well as being the country’s capital and 

centre of government administration, 

Bangkok is also Thailand’s main economic, 

educational and training, and cultural hub. 

With a population of 9.3 million (over 9 

per cent of the national total), including 

neighbouring areas, it is the principal 

commercial entry point into Thailand for 

international traders and investors. 

The eastern seaboard of Thailand is the 

country’s industrial zone and a centre 

for Thai or foreign-owned industries 

such as petrochemicals, automotive, 

engineering, large-scale manufacturing 

and power generation. The area comprises 

the provinces of Chonburi, Chachoensao, 

Samut Prakan and Rayong, as well as the 

port of Laem Chabang, Thailand’s largest 

and one of the busiest in the world. 

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MARKET ENTRY 

ESTABLISHING A PRESENCE 

Although you may be approached 

directly by Thai companies interested 

in purchasing your products on a 

non-regular basis, it is generally advisable 

to establish an in-country presence in 

order to gain a foothold in Thailand. 

Most UK companies successfully 

doing business in Thailand have local 

representation either by establishing their 

own offices or by appointing agents/ 

distributors. Such a presence shows that 

companies are serious about the market 

and willing to provide local technical 

support to partners and customers. After 

pricing, technical support is the most 

important issue for prospective Thai buyers. 

UK companies looking to trade 

with Thailand should also be aware 

that many Thai businesspeople are 

likely to base decisions as much on 

perceptions as they would on objective 

consideration of business information. 

Agents and distributors 

An agent is a company’s direct 

representative in a market and is paid 

commission, whereas a distributor 

buys products from the manufacturer 

and sells them on to customers. The 

difference between the cost of purchasing 

products and selling them on (the 

profit) forms the distributor’s income. 

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Entering a market by working with an 

agent or distributor can have several 

advantages. It reduces time and costs, and 

companies gain the local knowledge and 

networks of the agent. However, there 

are some drawbacks, too. Employing a 

third party results in an additional cost 

to your products and you may also lose 

some control and visibility over sales/ 

marketing. It also has implications for 

intellectual property rights protection, 

increasing the risk of your product 

being copied or counterfeited. 

Your local UKTI office will advise you on 

how to commission a tailored report for 

your specific needs and can also provide a 

list of the best potential partners. A visit 

to Thailand will enable you to meet some 

of them and appoint a local contact. 

Suggested questions to ask agents/ 

distributors are listed below. You 

should also conduct due diligence to 

verify this information. Given these 

considerations, companies need 

to select agents and distributors 

carefully. Some of the frequently 

asked questions are in the following 

checklist. You should also conduct due 

diligence to verify this information.

Background 

• Company size, history and ownership 

(private or state owned) 

• Quality and quantity of the sales force 

• Customer feedback and trade/bank 

references 

Distribution channels 

• Regional coverage 

• Types of outlets covered 

and frequency of calling 

• Transportation and warehousing facilities 

Are they right for you? 

• Does the agent/distributor have 

a genuine interest in representing 

your product? 

• Can they benefit from actively promoting 

your interests (is it a win-win)? 

• Do they also represent any competing 

companies/products? 

• Can you communicate effectively with 

your counterpart? 

Once a working relationship is 

established, the agent/distributor 

needs to be managed actively by: 

• Visiting as regularly as is practicable at 

a senior management level. This shows 

interest in and commitment to the agent 

and the market. It will also provide you 

with an opportunity to learn about 

conditions in the market and see how 

your products are faring. 

• Working closely with the agent to show 

them how they can profit from your 

products. 

• Helping to prepare marketing and sales 

plans for the agent. 

• Providing regular training for the sales 

staff and after-sales training for the 

technical staff in the UK. 

• Linking performance to incentives and 

agreeing milestone targets. 

There is additional guidance on working 

with Thai partners in later sections 

of this Thailand Business Guide. 

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MARKET ENTRY 

ESTABLISHING A PRESENCE (CONTINUED) 

Establishing a permanent presence 

Although it is possible to be represented 

through agents or distributors, companies 

can progress to the establishment of a 

permanent presence in Thailand. Having 

a permanent in-market presence can 

provide several possible benefits including: 

• demonstrating commitment, 

• cutting out the “middleman”, providing 

direct access to the end customer/supplier, 

• giving direct control over corporate 

strategy and activities, and 

• enabling trading in local currency and 

easing the conduct of business transactions. 

There are a number of structures in 

Thailand that allow foreign companies to 

conduct various business activities. These 

include representative offices, joint 

ventures and wholly foreign-owned 

enterprises. Each of these structures 

has unique advantages, restrictions and 

drawbacks and it is essential to choose the 

option best suited to your business aims. 

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Companies seeking to establish a permanent 

presence in Thailand must set up operations 

as an appropriate legal entity, depending on 

their intended business scope. They must 

also be compliant with Thai legal and tax 

requirements. It is usually more difficult to 

alter a business structure once a legal entity 

has been incorporated or established, so 

it is vitally important to seek professional 

advice on your investment structure during 

the early stages of planning. You must 

fully understand your intended business 

activities in Thailand (for the short and long 

term), whether they are practicable, if there 

are any legal and sector barriers to entry 

and what the suitable vehicle is for you. 

UKTI can offer dedicated one-to-one 

consulting and incorporation services to 

assist UK companies establishing various 

kinds of permanent presence in Thailand. 

Please contact us for more details.

Representative offices 

Representative offices are often the 

first step taken by foreign companies 

when establishing a permanent presence 

in Thailand. They provide a vehicle in 

which the foreign investor can engage in 

limited non-revenue-earning activities. 

These activities are restricted to: 

• searching for local sources of goods or 

services for its head office, 

• inspecting and controlling the quality 

and quantity of goods procured by its 

head office, 

• providing advice in various fields relating 

to products directly sold by its head 

office to local distributors or consumers, 

• disseminating information about new 

products and services offered by its 

head office, and 

• reporting to its head office on local 

business developments and activities. 

Joint ventures 

A joint venture (JV) is an organisation 

jointly owned by one or several Thai and 

foreign partners. A JV can be formed 

by way of equity contribution, where 

ownership, risk and profit are shared, based 

on each party’s monetary contribution. 

Alternatively, a JV can be incorporated, 

with liabilities and profit distribution 

being decided by contractual agreement. 

JVs can be beneficial in a number of ways. 

A good local partner may contribute market 

knowledge and strong marketing and 

distribution channels, and they may help 

reduce the costs and risk of market entry. 

The challenge of establishing and running 

a successful JV is to find and nurture 

the right partnership. Partners have to 

overcome issues such as mismatched 

expectations and differences in business 

culture and practices. The ability to 

maintain effective communication, and 

control where necessary, is also crucial. It 

is essential that you carry out corporate 

and financial due diligence before you 

sign up to any partnership. Companies 

should also plan an exit strategy and 

ensure that any contractual agreements 

include an appropriate opt-out provision. 

Wholly foreign-owned enterprises 

A wholly foreign-owned enterprise 

(WFOE) is a company incorporated in 

Thailand that is 100 per cent owned 

by a foreign organisation(s). 

WFOEs are often a popular option for 

foreign companies, as they give them 

complete control over their business 

entity, as well as allowing them to 

enjoy the full profit from its operation. 

Compared with a JV, WFOEs also 

generally give greater protection to the 

investor’s intellectual property rights. 

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MARKET ENTRY 

GETTING TO THAILAND 

Visas 

In general, foreign nationals wishing to 

visit Thailand need a valid passport and 

must obtain an appropriate visa from 

their nearest Thai embassy or consulate. 

Under the Tourist Visa Exemption 

Agreement, British nationals do not 

require a visa to enter Thailand if the 

duration of the stay does not exceed 

30 days. However, each person has 

to have minimum living expenses of 

10,000 baht or 20,000 baht per family. 

More information on visa requirements 

can be found at www.mfa.go.th or from 

the Royal Thai Embassy in London. 

Royal Thai Embassy 

29-30 Queen’s Gate 

London SW7 5JB 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7589 2944 

Email: thaiduto@btinternet.com 

Website: www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk 

Office hours: Monday-Friday 

09.30-12.30 and 14.00-17.00 

Visa and Consular Section: 09.30-12.30 

22 

By air 

There are 78 international airlines that fly to 

Bangkok, four of which fly directly from the 

UK to the city’s Suvarnabhumi International 

Airport. They are British Airways (daily), 

Eva Airways Corporation (six days a week), 

Qantas Airways (daily) and Thai Airways 

International (twice daily). 

At the airport. 

Public taxis (24-hour service): There is a 

taxi counter on level 1, near entrances 3, 

4, 7 and 8. Public taxis are fitted with a 

meter and have a sign “TAXI-METER” on 

the roof. The minimum fare is 35 baht for 

a distance of no more than two kilometres. 

The taxi fare from the airport to the centre 

of Bangkok (Ploenchit Road, where the 

British Embassy is located) is approximately 

400 baht (£8), including toll road fees and 

a 50 baht airport surcharge. 

AOT airport limousine (24-hour service) 

The minimum service rates for transfer 

from the airport to Bangkok city centre are: 

sedan (2-3 passengers) 950 baht 

minibus (6-7 passengers) 1,200 baht

Air-conditioned buses offer fast 

connections between major cities. 

Tickets can be purchased from bus 

terminals or through travel agents and 

hotels. Most travel is overnight and 

includes at least one meal and services 

such as soft drinks and blankets. If you 

are travelling in a small group of people 

there are plenty of minibuses for hire. 

Trains, although slow, are cheap and 

comfortable. On long-haul journeys 

seats convert into sleeping bunks. 

Boats connect many parts of Bangkok 

through the city’s extensive network 

of waterways. River buses go up 

and down the city’s Chao Phraya 

River with reliable regularity. 

There are three kinds of taxi in Thailand. 

Firstly, those with a “taxi” sign on top 

and a meter inside; secondly, tuk-tuks 

which go shorter distances than taxis 

and where fares are negotiated in 

advance; and thirdly, motorcycle taxis. 

Bangkok’s Skytrain and underground are 

great ways of avoiding the city’s notorious 

traffic. Trains run from 6am to midnight. 

23

GETTING STARTED 

FINDING A CUSTOMER OR PARTNER 

Once you have identified 

the best market-entry option 

for your company in Thailand, 

the next step is to find 

potential customers 

or partners. 

24 

The following UKTI services can help 

you find potential customers, agents, 

distributors and partners in Thailand: 

• Overseas Market Introduction Service 

UKTI’s Overseas Market Introduction 

Service (OMIS) can be used to identify a 

tailored list of potential customers, agents, 

distributors or partners and arrange a 

programme of meetings with them when 

you visit Thailand. OMIS can also be used 

to engage UKTI to arrange a seminar or 

product introduction event in Thailand – 

which can be an effective way of getting 

your message across to a number of 

potential customers. 

• Trade shows and exhibitions 

Numerous trade shows and exhibitions 

take place in Thailand throughout the 

year and can be an excellent way to meet 

potential customers face to face. However, 

arranging appointments in advance to 

meet pre-identified contacts at niche 

industry events is essential if you want to 

make effective use of your time. 

• Trade missions 

UKTI supports a large number of trade 

missions to Thailand, organised by 

trade associations and local chambers 

of commerce. They provide an excellent 

opportunity for businesses to visit Thailand 

to find out how business is done and 

generate valuable sales leads.


DUE DILIGENCE 

Many of the problems that foreign 

companies encounter when engaging in 

business transactions in Thailand could have 

been avoided by carrying out some due 

diligence at the outset. 

There are different levels of due diligence that 

are appropriate for different situations. If your 

sole interest is in exporting, the best proof 

of a Thai company’s ability to pay is whether 

it is able to raise a letter of credit from the 

bank. If a company can produce this you do 

not need to check its financial standing as 

the bank will have already done so. 

One simple piece of due diligence is to get 

a copy of a company’s business licence. This 

will tell you the following: 

• The legal representative of the company 

• The name and address of the company 

• The amount of registered capital which is 

also its limited liability 

• The type of company 

• The business scope 

• The date the company was established 

and the period covered by the licence 

You should check that the information 

contained in the business licence matches 

what you already know, and if it doesn’t find 

out why. You will have more security if you 

know who the legally responsible person is, 

so find out who you are dealing with. 

The shareholders of the company are 

responsible for the amount of liability stated 

as registered capital on the business licence. 

You can check whether or not the registered 

capital has been paid up by using a firm of 

accountants to get a Capital Verification 

Report. 

If you want to establish a business 

relationship in Thailand that goes beyond 

exporting, you will need to carry out further 

research. A thorough evaluation of your 

potential partner may be time-consuming 

and expensive, but doing so will greatly 

reduce the risk of serious problems in the 

future. However, it is not enough to obtain 

a copy of a company’s accounts as they 

may not be accurate. Accounts in Thailand 

are unlikely to be audited to the standards 

routinely expected in the UK, and companies 

may have different sets of accounts for 

different audiences. It is therefore advisable 

to use such data in conjunction with 

information obtained elsewhere. 

Good quality consultancy and assistance 

is available from firms resident in Thailand 

and the UK. These companies can carry out 

operational, financial, legal and technical 

due diligence checks, typically by looking 

at the actual operation of the business and 

building up a more accurate picture by 

carefully interviewing people who work in 

and with the firm. UKTI can provide lists of 

consultancies based in the UK and Thailand 

that can provide due diligence checks on 

Thailand companies. 

25


EMPLOYING STAFF 

Recruitment channels 

There are several channels for recruiting 

staff in Thailand: 

• Online job services such as 

www.jobthai.com and www.jobbkk.com. 

• Classified adverts for jobs in Thailand are 

available from local Thai daily newspapers 

such as Thai Rath, Manager Daily and 

Krungthep Turakij. 

• Classified adverts for jobs in English 

are available from the Bangkok Post and 

The Nation. Both newspapers have daily 

circulation figures of around 60,000 copies. 

• Recruitment services companies: there 

are several experienced domestic and 

international recruitment firms operating 

in Bangkok. 

• Contacting the British Embassy/British 

Chamber of Commerce/educational 

institutes. 

Recruitment steps 

When you are recruiting in Thailand, make 

sure that you carry out all the normal steps 

that you would if recruiting in the UK. 

Ensure that candidates’ technical and 

linguistic capabilities match their claims 

and that you hire staff at the right level 

for the role. A recent MBA graduate 

returning to Thailand from overseas may 

not have the experience to navigate the 

complexities of setting up a company in 

Thailand without seeking professional advice, 

26 

and they may not have the capabilities to 

develop business at a senior level. 

Carry out due diligence 

To ensure that the staff you are hiring 

are right for your company it is essential 

to ensure thorough due diligence in 

recruitment, especially for senior managers. 

This includes conducting personal 

background checks and checking all 

references before offering them the position. 

Offer appropriate remuneration 

Once you have found the right staff you will 

need to give them good reason to stay with 

your company. You will need to provide a 

sufficient remuneration package to ensure 

that you recruit and retain the best employees. 

It is advisable to conduct some market 

research to get a clear idea of appropriate 

salary levels for the positions you wish to fill 

so that you can make an offer that is in line 

with current market rates. 

Average staff salaries in Thailand 

can be viewed at the Thailand 

Board of Investment website 

www.boi.go.th/english/how/labor_costs.asp. 

However, a company’s ability to attract and 

retain staff is considerably enhanced by 

tailoring remuneration packages to meet 

individual employee needs. Salaries are 

subject to a 4 per cent social security fund 

contribution and a 1 per cent workman’s

compensation contribution (for the first 

15,000 baht of salary per month). 

Offering employees the opportunity to 

train overseas is also very attractive at all 

levels, although make sure that in return 

for providing such training they make a 

commitment to stay with your company. In 

addition, be sure to invest in the mentoring 

of Thai management-level talent; this can be 

done by giving them experience of working 

around the organisation and grooming them 

for global corporate positions. A clearly 

defined career progression route is also 

attractive and will help to retain staff. 

A lot of smaller companies setting up an 

office in Thailand may well just employ 

one person to deal with all aspects of 

running the company. Although this may 

be convenient and cost-effective, it might 

not generate the best performance for your 

Thai operation. Staff selection will prove 

vital; although the individual may be very 

willing, honest and capable, they may not 

be adept or experienced in international 

business practices. If your employee is not 

familiar with the relevant Thai rules and 

regulations pertaining to the running of an 

international office or business in Thailand, 

then you may soon have to deal with issues 

of non-compliance, which could prove 

very costly. Moreover, having one person in 

control of all financial and legal aspects of 

the business is not prudent. 

Working hours 

Working hours in Thailand are: 

• Normal office hours: 

08.00-17.00 or 09.00-18.00 

• Government offices: 

08.30-16.30 

• Normal lunch break: 

12.00-13.00 

• Non-hazardous work: 

48 hours a week 

• Hazardous work: 

42 hours a week 

• Public holidays: 

13 days a year 

• Annual leave: 

not less than six days a year 

27


LANGUAGE 

Communication is crucial to the success of 

any company, yet business is all too often 

lost through simple misunderstandings 

that could easily have been avoided. 

When working across different time zones, 

cultures and languages, the chances 

for misunderstanding are multiplied 

considerably. It is therefore essential that 

you have an appropriate communications 

strategy in Thailand. 

There are four main Thai languages spoken 

in Thailand (Central Thai, Southern Thai, 

North-eastern Thai and Thai – which is 

used in Northern Thailand and Laos). The 

language referred to as “standard Thai” is 

close to Central Thai. As a foreigner, it is not 

easy to learn Thai, but if you make an effort 

this will be appreciated by Thai people. 

The use of English is widespread among 

larger companies, but proficiency is low 

among SMEs and the lower-tiered labour 

force. In this respect, Thailand’s language 

readiness trails regional competitors such 

as Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. 

Presentations, proposals and contracts can be 

produced in English, although it is important 

to use fairly simple and non-idiomatic 

language to avoid any misunderstandings. 

29


MARKETING 

To win over potential new customers in 

Thailand you will need to continually 

reassess your marketing strategy. 

Sales literature 

Trade shows and exhibitions have already been 

mentioned as ways of reaching potential new 

customers, but you still need to persuade them 

to buy your product. You will need to ensure 

that your sales literature is effective in English 

and, if possible, Thai and decide what kind 

of advertising is appropriate. 

Product and service adaptations 

You may need to adapt your product to 

meet Thai preferences or requirements in 

order to be able to sell it. Adapting to local 

regulations, tastes and cultural preferences 

vastly improves chances of success. 

Branding 

The Thai market for consumer products 

is brand conscious. New entrants to the 

market with a recognised brand may wish 

to consider some sort of product launch or 

press conference to announce their arrival 

in Thailand. 

Sales promotion 

Companies that appoint local partners can 

usually be guided by them with regard to the 

type of advertising and sales promotion that 

would suit the launch of their product(s). 

UKTI can advise on using the residence 

30 

of the British Ambassador in Thailand to 

announce the launch or presence of UK 

goods and services in the country. 

Media 

Companies that can afford it may well 

wish to consider TV advertising as it still 

commands the widest reach to the mass 

market. Internet usage in Thailand is 

increasing rapidly, although penetration 

is still modest at 13 million internet users 

(against a population of 67 million), of 

whom just two million have broadband. 

Internet advertising and the use of the 

internet for purchasing goods are still in 

their infancy. 

Specialist consultancies can be appointed 

to develop a marketing strategy appropriate 

to your product and to the region of 

Thailand where it will be sold. 

Brochures and marketing campaigns 

should avoid religious symbols or satires 

of historically famous local figures, events 

or the local culture. Thai consumers are 

increasingly receptive to offbeat marketing 

campaigns and there has been a leap in the 

number of radically innovative advertising 

campaigns, but these should be conducted 

with caution.


DAY-TO-DAY COMMUNICATIONS 

Once you have made contact with a Thai 

company, it is likely that your day-to-day 

phone and email communication will be 

in English with one of the company’s 

English-speaking members of staff. 

If the standard of English in the Thai 

company is not satisfactory, it is 

advisable to ask for parallel Thai texts 

and obtain translations to ensure proper 

understanding. 

If you are going to sign anything – 

as obvious as it sounds – make sure 

you get it translated first, and by an 

independent translator. Do not rely on 

your supplier’s translation and do not 

be pressured into signing anything 

that you do not fully understand. Most 

failures occur in relationships because of 

fractured communications and mutual 

misunderstandings. Document verbal 

discussions with a written record to confirm 

understanding for important meetings. 

If Thailand is likely to become a significant 

part of your business you may wish to 

consider hiring a Thai-speaking member 

of staff. You might also consider taking up 

the challenge of learning Thai yourself – 

even having a basic level of communication 

will create a positive impression. 

31


INTERPRETERS 

If language proves a problem when 

attending meetings in Thailand it is 

recommended to use interpreters. 

A good interpreter can be the key to 

successful communication. If they have 

not understood what you have said, your 

message will be lost on your audience. 

There are two forms of interpreting. 

Consecutive interpreting means you speak 

and then your interpreter speaks: this is the 

usual form for meetings, discussions and 

negotiations. Simultaneous interpreting 

involves the immediate translation of your 

words as you speak them. This requires 

special equipment and can be expensive. 

It is generally used only for large seminars 

and conferences. Interpreting is a skill 

requiring professional training. Just 

because someone is fluent in English and 

Thai, it does not necessarily mean that 

they will make a good interpreter. 

If you are giving a speech or presentation 

remember that the need to interpret 

everything will cut your speaking time 

approximately in half (unless using 

simultaneous interpreting). It is essential 

to make sure that the interpreter can cope 

with any technical or specialist terms in 

the presentation. It is better to be slightly 

restricted and stick closely to a script than 

to fail to sell yourself. If you are giving a 

speech give the interpreter the text well in 

advance and forewarn them of any changes. 

32 

Remember: there are four different Thai 

languages spoken in Thailand. Ensure that 

your interpreter can speak and understand 

the form of language specific to the region 

that you are visiting. 

To get the best out of your interpreter: 

• Hire a well-briefed professional 

interpreter. Though this is likely to be 

expensive, it will be money well spent. 

• Have your own interpreter available, even 

if your Thai counterparts have one for 

their side. One interpreter working for 

both sides may become tired and start 

missing the meaning or the detail of what 

is being said. With your own interpreter 

you should also have some feedback 

afterwards on the nuances behind what 

was said (and – just as importantly – 

not said) during the meeting. 

• Try to involve your interpreter at every 

stage of your pre-meeting arrangements. 

The quality of interpretation will improve 

greatly if you provide adequate briefing 

on the subject matter. Ensure your 

interpreter understands what you are 

trying to achieve.

• Speak clearly and evenly with regular 

breaks for interpretation. Don’t speak 

for several paragraphs without pause. 

Your interpreter will find it hard to 

remember everything you have said, 

let alone interpret all your points. 

Conversely, don’t speak in short 

phrases and unfinished sentences. Your 

interpreter may find it impossible to 

translate the meaning if you have left 

a sentence hanging. 

• Avoid jargon, unless you know your 

interpreter is familiar with the terminology. 

• Listen to how your interpreter interprets 

what you have just said. If you have 

given a lengthy explanation but the 

interpreter translates it into only a few 

Thai words, it may be that they have not 

fully understood. Or they may be wary of 

passing on a message that is too blunt and 

will not be well received by the audience. 

• Make sure that your message is getting 

through clearly and is delivered in a tone 

that will not cause resentment. 

A list of translators and interpreters in 

Thailand is available on request from the 

UKTI team in Bangkok. 

33


INTERPRETERS (CONTINUED) 

Basic Thai 

Key phrases/greetings 

Hello Sawasdee (krup/ka) 

How are you? Sabai dee mai? 

I’m fine Sabai dee 

Pleased to Dee jai thee dai 

meet you 

phob koon 

Thank you Khap koon (krup/ka) 

Never mind Mai pen rai 

Sorry Kor thoad (krup/ka) 

I cannot speak Thai Phoot Thai mai dai 

Please speak slowly Prohd photo cha-cha 

I don’t understand Mai kao jai 

Good luck Kor hai chok dee 

Does anyone Mee krai pood pasa 

speak English? ang-grit dai bangmai 

Do you understand? Kao jai mai? 

May I take a 

photograph? 

Kor tai ruup dai mai? 

Where is the toilet? Hong nam yoo nai? 

How much does Nee tao-rai 

this cost? 

(krup/ka)? 

What is this? Nee aria? 

Very expensive Paeng maag 

Do you have Mee tuuk gwaa 

something cheaper? nee mai? 

The bill please Gep taang (krup/ka) 

Goodbye La gon 

See you again Laew phob gan mai 

Places 

Airport Sanam bin 

Bus station Sa-tanee rot mae 

Railway station Sa-tanee rot fai 

Police station Sa-tanee tum-ruad 

Hotel Rang-raem 

Embassy Sa-tantoot 

Hospital Rong-payabaan 

Post office Prai-sanee 

Market Ta-lad 

Directions 

I want to go… Yaak ja pai… 

Where is…? Yoo thee nai…? 

Turn left Leeo sai 

Turn right Leeo kwaa 

Go straight Trong pai 

Stop here Yuut te nee 

Slow down Cha-cha 

35

BUSINESS ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS 

Although it presents numerous 

opportunities the Thai market can 

pose significant challenges for foreign 

companies. Whether buying, selling or 

investing, whether dealing in physical 

products or knowledge, it is important 

to be aware of the complexities and risks. 

Outdated or overlapping regulations 

are common challenges in Thailand, as 

businesses have become more sophisticated 

and outpaced the original domains covered 

by tax codes and regulations. None are 

insurmountable, but they do require time 

and resources. Grey areas cannot always 

be clarified, and should be recognised as 

a potential risk element. 

36


INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) 

As a member of the World Trade 

Organization (WTO), Thailand is committed, 

under the auspices of the Trade-Related 

Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 

(TRIPs) agreement, to provide the effective 

and appropriate enforcement of IPR. The 

Thai Government has been taking systematic 

measures to reduce IPR violation in every 

sphere of business activity, including 

producing, distributing, selling, importing 

and exporting. 

Trademarks 

Trademark protection in Thailand is 

regulated through the Trademark Act BE 

2534 (1991), which came into force on 

13 February 1992. There are four options 

for submitting an application for the 

registration of a trademark in Thailand. 

They are: 

1. The Application Request Service and 

Examination Division, Trademark Bureau, 

the Department of Intellectual Property. 

2. The Provincial Commercial Offices. 

3. Via registered mail to the Trademark 

Registrar, the Department of Intellectual 

Property, with a payment of the 

fee by money order, payable to the 

Trademark Registrar. 

4. Via the internet at the online trademark 

service: www.ipthailand.go.th/ (only 

available in the Thai language at present). 

The process of registering a trademark 

in Thailand can take up to nine months. 

It is valid for ten years from the date of 

registration and may be renewed within 

90 days prior to expiry for a further period 

of ten years. 

Thailand’s trademark registration 

procedures in English can be found at 

www.ipthailand.go.th/ (only available in the 

Thai language at present). 

Patents, petty patents and designs 

In Thailand, inventions and product 

designs can acquire a protection under the 

Patent Act BE 2522 (1979), later amended 

by the Patent Act (No.3) BE 2542 (1999). 

Detailed information on the Patent Act 

and application procedures in English can 

be found at www.ipthailand.go.th/ (only 

available in the Thai language at present). 

It can sometimes take up to one year for 

the application of protection to be granted. 

Duration of protection: 

• Patents are valid for 20 years 

• Petty patents are valid for six years 

(although they can be renewed twice, 

with each renewal lasting for two years. 

Therefore the maximum duration is 

ten years). 

• 

Designs are valid for ten years. 

37


INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) 

(CONTINUED) 

Copyright 

In 1931 Thailand became a member of the 

Berne Convention for the Protection of 

Literary and Artistic Works, an international 

agreement governing copyright. 

Copyright protection in Thailand is 

provided through the Copyright Act BE 

2534 (1994), which was promulgated on 

21 December 1994 and became effective 

on 22 March 1995. 

In Thailand the period of validity for 

copyright in a work which is created in 

the course of employment, instruction or 

control, endures for 50 years from creation. 

If the work is published during this period, 

copyright endures for 50 years from 

first publication. 

Computer programs in Thailand are protected 

as literary works under the Copyright Act. 

For more information contact: 

Department of Intellectual Property 

44/100 Nonthaburi 1 Road 

Bangkrasow 

Muang Nonthaburi 11000 


Tel: +66 (0)2547 4621-25 

Fax: +66 (0)2547 4891 

Email: osdip@moc.go.th 

Website: www.ipthailand.go.th/ (only 

available in the Thai language at present) 

38

BUSINESS ISSUES AND 

CONSIDERATIONS 

PROCUREMENT 

Since 2005 Thai government procurement 

over 2 million baht (£40,000) has been 

conducted through an electronic auction. 

The responsible organisation is the 

Thai Government Procurement Office 

(www.gprocurement.go.th – only available 

in the Thai language at present). Normally, 

large private companies/state enterprises/ 

government organisations advertise their 

invitation to bid in the Bangkok Post and 

The Nation, two local English-language 

daily newspapers. 

The UKTI team in Bangkok publishes details 

of tenders received directly from state 

enterprises or government organisations 

on the UKTI website (www.ukti.gov.uk) 

under “Business opportunities”. 

39


REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS 

Investment rules and incentives 

Two governmental organisations have the 

authority to grant investment incentives in 

order to encourage both foreign and local 

investment in Thailand. They are: 

• Thailand Board of Investment (BOI): 

may grant general investment 

privileges. These are based on the 

location of the enterprise. Presently, 

there are three general regional zones, 

to which are allocated different levels 

of investment privileges. 

• Industrial Estates Authority of Thailand 

(IEAT): has the authority to grant 

investment privileges to enterprises that 

are located specifically within industrial 

estates that have been developed 

either by the IEAT, or as a joint venture 

between the IEAT and a private entity. 

While the BOI provides valuable incentives 

many Thai and foreign companies establish 

businesses without BOI assistance. 

Accordingly, investors should carefully 

consider the advantages of seeking BOI 

incentives before making an application. 

Foreign ownership 

The Foreign Business Act 1999 allows 

foreign ownership of businesses in Thailand 

according to a classification on three lists. 

List 1 allows for no foreign ownership, 

List 2 allows very restricted foreign 

ownership and List 3 allows up to 49 per 

cent foreign ownership. However, foreign 

investors often wish to own all or at least 

a majority interest in their subsidiaries 

established abroad. Where such a subsidiary 

in Thailand seeks BOI privileges, the BOI 

may allow it to be majority or 100 per cent 

foreign owned, subject to conditions. 

In 2007 the Thai Government considered 

further amendments to the Foreign 

Business Act which would have made it 

more difficult for foreign companies to 

own a majority shareholding in a business 

in Thailand. The initiative lost momentum 

after the return to power of civilian 

government in 2008. However, UK companies 

thinking of investing in Thailand should 

ensure they have the relevant and up-to-date 

information before making any decisions. 

Comprehensive information and guidance are 

available on the BOI website (www.boi.go.th) 

and from the UKTI team in Bangkok. 

41


REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS (CONTINUED) 

Customs duties 

The majority of imported articles in 

Thailand are subject to two different 

taxes: tariff duty and VAT. The Customs 

Tariff Decree also contains a section on 

goods that are exempt from duty. Foreign 

trade transactions are subject to certain 

provisions of the exchange control law and 

various licensing requirements: 

• Import duty: The majority of goods 

imported by businesses in Thailand are 

subject to duty rates of between 0 per 

cent and 100 per cent. 

• Value added tax (VAT): VAT was 

introduced in Thailand on 1 January 

1992, replacing business tax. The current 

rate of VAT is 7 per cent, down 3 per 

cent from when it was first introduced. 

Export goods are not subject to VAT. 

• Excise tax: Import goods in Thailand 

subject to excise tax are petroleum 

products; beverages; electrical equipment; 

perfume and cosmetics; crystalware or 

other types of crystal products; passenger 

cars and vehicles seating not more than 

ten people; and yachts. 

• Export duty: Export duties apply to 

42 

seven items – rice; scrap metal; raw 

or tanned hides of bovine animals; 

rubber; wood; raw silk and silk yarn; and 

powdered fish. 

• Exchange controls: Most imports valued 

at over 500,000 baht can be cleared only 

upon presentation of a certificate issued 

by a commercial bank demonstrating 

that the import has been reported to the 

Bank of Thailand. 

• Exports exceeding 500,000 baht in 

value: Before these can be cleared, the 

exporter must present a Certificate of 

Exportation to the Customs officer. 

Normally, export proceeds must be 

brought into Thailand within 180 days 

and converted to baht or deposited in 

a foreign currency account in Thailand 

within 15 days of receipt. 

• Duty refund: Goods such as raw 

materials used in producing, processing 

or packaging items for export may 

be imported under a system allowing 

for duties paid to be refunded or for 

a guarantee to be posted. The items 

imported must be re-exported within 

the time stipulated under Customs 

regulations. Imported goods which are not 

processed in any way and are not kept 

in a bonded warehouse are eligible for a 

partial duty refund equal to 90 per cent 

of the duty paid or the entire duty paid in 

excess of 1,000 baht, whichever is higher. 

• Exceptions: Custom duty exceptions 

apply to the importation of machinery, 

equipment and materials for use by 

oil and gas concessionaires, their 

contractors, and certain companies 

promoted by the BOI.

• Businesspeople relocating to Thailand 

may import their household effects, but 

the Customs Department requires that a 

work permit be submitted before they are 

released free of duty. 

• ASEAN agreement: Thailand, as a 

member of ASEAN, is subject to the 

agreed plan for the reduction of import 

duties that applies to trade between 

all the ASEAN countries. Thailand, 

which is also a member of the World 

Trade Organization (WTO) and General 

Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), 

currently has free trade agreements 

(FTAs) with four countries: China (signed 

under ASEAN), Australia, New Zealand 

and India. FTA negotiations with other 

countries are under way. 

More detailed advice on Thai customs duties 

can be found at www.customsclinic.org. 

Import controls 

Certain goods entering Thailand are subject 

to import controls. They include: 

• Drugs, foods and supplementary 

products: require prior licensing from 

the Food and Drug Administration at 

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. 

• Antiques/works of art: require 

permission from the Fine Arts Department. 

• Weapons, ammunition, explosives, 

fireworks and real or replica firearms 

require an appropriate licence from 

the Ministry of Interior. Weapons such 

as electric-shock devices must also be 

declared. Some of these items may 

require a permit before importation. 

• Cosmetics: Thailand’s Cosmetic Act 

stipulates that, for the purpose of 

protection of public health, any importer 

of controlled cosmetics must provide 

the name and location of the office and 

the place of manufacture or storage of 

the cosmetics, the category or kind of 

cosmetics to be imported and their major 

components. 

• Wild fauna, flora, fish and other 

aquatic fauna: Depending on the 

goods being imported, permission is 

required from the National Park, Wildlife 

and Plant Conservation Department, 

the Department of Agriculture or the 

Department of Fisheries. 

43


REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS (CONTINUED) 

Customs documentation 

When goods arrive in or leave Thailand 

the importer/exporter is required to file 

a goods declaration and supporting 

documents to Customs to enable cargo 

clearance. To speed up and facilitate the 

flow and movement of legitimate cargo 

the Thai Customs Department provides two 

clearance systems: manual and electronic 

data interchange (EDI). 

The procedure works as follows: 

1. Importer/exporter files a goods 

declaration (Customs Form No. 101 

or No. 101/1). 

2. Importer/exporter prepares the following 

supporting documents: 

• Invoice 

• Packing list 

• Foreign transaction form if the 

free on board (FOB) value exceeds 

500,000 baht 

• Export/import licence (if applicable) 

• Other relevant documents (if applicable) 

3. Customs checks the declaration and 

supporting documents. 

4. Customs collects export duties and taxes. 

5. Customs inspects and releases cargo. 

44 

Labelling and packaging 

The labelling of products in Thailand is 

regulated by the Consumer Protection Act 

BE 2522 (1979), which is administered by 

the Consumer Protection Committee (CPC). 

The CPC in turn delegates its authority to 

individual committees on advertising, labels 

and contracts. 

Generally, goods that are manufactured 

(by the factories covered by the law 

on factories and goods) and ordered 

or imported into Thailand for sale are 

designated as label-controlled goods. 

However, the Committee on Labels also 

has the power to designate the following 

goods as controlled for the purpose 

of labelling: 

1. Goods whose nature or usage may 

endanger physical or mental health. 

2. Goods that are regularly used by the 

public and where labelling would benefit. 

Labels on controlled goods must contain 

truthful statements. They must not include 

any statements which could lead to 

misunderstanding as to the material facts 

concerning the goods in question. 

They must also feature: 

• The name or trademark of the 

manufacturer or importer.

• The place of manufacture or the place of 

operating import business. 

• Statements indicating the nature of the 

goods. 

• The name of the manufacturing country, 

in the case of imported goods. 

• Price, quantity, usage, recommendations, 

caution and expiry date. 

In no circumstances may the Committee 

on Labels force business operators to reveal 

their manufacturing secrets, unless such 

information is essential to the health and 

safety of consumers. All products sold in 

Thailand must have a Thai label. 

For further information please contact: 

Division of Consumer Protection 

on Labelling 

Office of the Consumer Protection Board 

The Government Complex 

5th Floor, Building 5 

Chaengwattana Road 

Laksi, Bangkok 10210 


Tel: +66 (0)2 143 0384 

Fax: +66 (0)2 143 9768 

Email: consumer@ocpb.go.th 

Website: www.ocpb.go.th 

Standards and technical regulation 

Standardisation policies in Thailand come 

under the remit of the Thai Industrial 

Standards Institute (TISI) (www.tisi.go.th), 

part of the Ministry of Industry. 

GETTING YOUR GOODS 

TO THAILAND 

• Sea freight: Goods can be sea 

freighted in consolidated containers 

to Bangkok Port and Laem Chabang 

Port. The average delivery time 

from UK seaports to Thailand is 

30-35 days. 

• Air freight: Goods normally 

arrive within two to three days. 

Consolidated air freight (which is 

cheaper) takes between seven and 

ten days. 

• Courier: Several courier companies 

operate in Thailand, including DHL, 

FedEx, TNT, UPS and OCS. 

• Postal parcel/express mail service: 

The Thai service provider is Thailand 

Post (www.thailandpost.co.th) 

45


GETTING PAID AND FINANCIAL ISSUES 

Since 1997, 100 per cent advanced 

payment through wire transfer is commonly 

used by traders in Thailand instead of 

an open account. Necessary details such 

as bank name, account name, account 

number, bank address and swift code have 

to be given to clients. Bank drafts are used 

for smaller purchases. 

For a middle-term customer, 50 per cent 

pre-payment and 50 per cent payment after 

invoice date can be agreed upon. The normal 

credit term is 30 days. For a long-term 

customer this can be extended to 120 days. 

Irrevocable Letters of Credit would be 

used if the total sale amount exceeds 

1 million baht (£20,000). 

Financial assistance 

There are 32 commercial banks in the 

Thai banking system – 14 Thai commercial 

banks, two retail banks, one subsidiary 

bank and 15 branches of foreign 

commercial banks. They include the UK’s 

HSBC (www.hsbc.co.th) and Standard 

Chartered Bank (Thai) Public Co Ltd 

(www.standardchartered.co.th). 

46 

As of 24 February 2008, foreign currency 

brought into or taken out of Thailand 

above the value of US$20,000 must be 

declared at the Thai Customs Office. Thai 

currency over the amount of 50,000 baht 

must also be declared. People travelling to 

one of Thailand’s neighbouring countries 

are not allowed to take out more than 

500,000 baht of Thai currency. 

Non-residents are allowed to open foreign 

currency accounts with any commercial 

bank in Thailand. As a special gesture to 

non-residents no restrictions are imposed 

on the maintenance of and withdrawal 

from the account, as long as the funds 

originate from abroad. 

Travellers cheques in US dollars can be 

cashed at provincial banks and authorised 

money changers, but the best rates can 

be obtained in Bangkok. Hotel rates are 

usually lower than those offered by banks 

and authorised money changers. 

Bank working hours 

Main offices and branches: 

08.30-15.30 (Monday-Friday) 

Branches operated in department stores: 

10.00-20.00 (Monday-Sunday)


INSURANCE 

The private sector in the UK provides 

credit insurance for exports of consumer 

products, raw materials and other similar 

goods. Speak to your banker or insurance 

broker for more information or contact the 

British Insurance Brokers’ Association for 

impartial advice. 

British Insurance Brokers’ Association 

Tel: +44 (0)870 950 1790 (consumer helpline) 

Email: enquiries@biba.org.uk 

Website: www.biba.org.uk 

Private-sector insurance has some limitations, 

particularly for sales of capital goods, 

major services and construction projects 

that require longer credit packages or 

are in riskier markets. The Export Credits 

Guarantee Department (ECGD), a separate UK 

government department that reports to the 

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation 

and Skills, provides a range of products for 

exporters of such goods and services. 

Export Credits Guarantee Department 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7512 7000 

Email: help@ecgd.gsi.gov.uk 

Website: www.ecgd.gov.uk 

47


MANAGEMENT 

CONTROL AND 

QUALITY ASSURANCE 

UK companies use a variety of quality 

assurance and management control 

techniques in Thailand. These include 

extensive travelling by UK personnel, a 

controlling or liaison presence in Thailand 

or providing extensive training and 

management for Thai staff. It is important 

not to allow milestones to slip by, whether 

these are attending a board meeting in a 

joint venture or arranging a quality audit 

with a supplier. 

Particular attention to detail should be paid 

when sourcing products from Thailand. 

Specifications can be misunderstood, so 

they need to be very clearly explained 

and agreed, and a quality management 

system put in place with the Thai company. 

Consultancies can undertake all or part of 

this process on your behalf. 

48 

BRIBERY AND 

CORRUPTION 

Corruption remains an issue in Thailand. 

Anyone doing business in the country is 

likely to encounter or hear of corruption 

in one form or another. Practices such as 

facilitation payments, bribes and the giving 

and receiving of expensive gifts in order 

to develop business relationships are still a 

problem in certain places. 

Our advice to companies encountering 

corruption is simple – don’t get involved. 

Not only are there issues of business integrity 

to bear in mind, but it is also, of course, 

illegal. Companies should ensure that all 

their commercial activities in Thailand are 

compliant with the UK Bribery Act which is 

set to come into force in April 2011. 

In 2010 Thailand was ranked 78th 

out of 178 nations in the Corruption 

Perceptions Index compiled by 

Transparency International. By way of 

comparison to other Southeast Asian 

nations, Malaysia ranked 56th, Indonesia 

110th and the Philippines 134th.

BUSINESS CULTURE 

In a highly competitive commercial 

environment it is more important than 

ever for us to comprehend the business 

culture of our target markets. This helps us 

to understand, anticipate and respond to 

unexpected behaviour, as well as enabling 

us to behave in an acceptable way and 

avoid misunderstandings 

49


MONARCHY 

Thai people have a deep, traditional 

reverence for their monarchy, and a 

visitor to Thailand should be careful to 

show respect for the King, the Queen and 

members of the Royal Family. 

The current monarch of Thailand is His 

Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He has 

reigned since 9 June 1946, making him the 

world’s longest reigning current monarch 

and the longest serving head of state. 

Most of the King’s powers are exercised 

by his elected government in accordance 

with the constitution of the day. However, 

he is head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces 

and holds the prerogative of royal assent 

and the power of pardon. He is also the 

defender of the Buddhist faith, Thailand’s 

predominant religion. 

It is a criminal offence to make critical 

or defamatory comments about the King 

or other members of the Royal Family in 

Thailand. This is known as “lèse majesté” 

and is punishable by a sentence of three to 

15 years or longer. 

50 


RELIGION 

The predominant religion of Thailand 

is Theravada or Hinayana Buddhism. 

However, there is total religious freedom, 

with Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and 

other faiths practised and protected by the 

Thai constitution. Buddhism is the faith 

of 95 per cent of the Thai population, 

while 4 per cent are Muslims, 0.5 per cent 

Christians and the remainder Hindus, Sikhs 

and others. Despite the fact that Buddhism 

is the faith of the majority, both the Thai 

King and the Government uphold and 

support all the religions accepted by the 

people. Amidst this rich diversity of beliefs 

the Thai people have always lived together 

in peace and harmony. 

Buddhist monks are highly respected and 

revered members of Thai communities. 

They have special areas reserved for them 

at airports and on buses and receive 

alms from the public as a sign of giving 

and devotion. In towns and villages the 

temple (wat) is the heart of social and 

religious life. 

Visitors should dress neatly when visiting 

religious places. Women should not wear 

sleeveless tops and short trousers, sandals 

or other unsuitable attire. Never sit in a 

position where your feet are stretched out 

in the direction of a Buddha image.


INTRODUCTIONS 

AND GREETINGS 

The formal term of address for Thai people, 

men or women, is Khun, followed by 

the first name. It is commonly used for 

addressing somebody, both orally and in 

writing, whether they be Thai or foreign. 

Thai surnames are long, hence seldom used 

except in formal introductions. Most Thais 

have nicknames, which are often much 

shorter than their first names, and like to be 

called by them. However, you should always 

ask for their preference first. 

Thais greet one another with a Wai, putting 

two hands together close to the body at 

chest level and bending their heads down 

to the hands. Generally, the younger 

person Wais the older, who then returns it. 

The lower the head is bent down in this 

greeting, the more respect is signalled. 

Handshakes are common when Thais greet 

foreigners, and are an accepted norm. 

However, since body contact in Thai culture 

is kept to a minimum, handshakes tend to 

be brief and not especially firm, especially 

with women. 

In making introductions, the younger or 

junior person is always introduced to the 

senior one. 

The safe dress code is to go formal and 

stick to conservative colours. Your potential 

business partner will see this as conveying a 

more serious level of commitment. 


MAKING 

CONVERSATION 

Age, seniority and rank are taken seriously 

in Thai culture and have an influence on 

conversation and dialogue. The less senior 

person is expected to show restraint, and 

will rarely openly disagree with superiors as 

this goes against culture. As this impedes 

the flow of good communication, one may 

need to have additional conversations with 

other counterparts or in other settings, to 

confirm understanding. 

51


ENTERTAINMENT 

Business lunches in Thailand tend to be 

strictly work-related, while dinners usually 

signify a more relaxed informal meeting 

between closer business acquaintances. 

Receiving an invitation to a dinner may 

indicate that your business relationship 

with the host is moving to a higher 

level. The host should arrive earlier than 

the guest. Bangkok’s notorious traffic 

conditions often prohibit punctuality; 

therefore a 15-30 minute delay in arrival 

can still be considered acceptable. 

Business lunches and dinners almost always 

take place at a restaurant rather than in 

the home. 

A typical seating configuration usually 

features senior individuals at the head or 

centre (of long tables) or allows for higherranked 

personnel to choose their seat first, 

if the setting does not make this obvious. 

Other members of the team should be in 

close proximity to facilitate discussion. 

Particularly junior personnel may be seated 

at a different table. 

Very senior figures often prefer to have their 

managers or interpreters seated close by 

to provide details in response to questions 

which may arise during the meeting. 

Drinking alcohol is a normal part of 

social activity for men and is accepted 

for women. Cigarette smoking is common 

among both sexes. 

52 


GIFTS 

It is common practice in Thailand to 

give government officials and VIPs a gift 

if they are the guests of honour at an 

official event. 

Neckties, scarves, handkerchiefs, food/fruit 

baskets, books, moderately valued office 

items (pens, bags) carrying your company 

logo or lunch/fitness gift vouchers are 

all acceptable as gifts. Guest speakers at 

events almost always receive gifts, offering 

opportunities for the host and speaker to 

pose together for PR photos.


BODY LANGUAGE 

AND GESTURES 

Avoid pointing with your finger to a 

person and never snap your fingers to get 

someone’s attention. It is considered rude 

to point your foot at a person or an object, 

while sitting with your feet up against 

parts of furniture is not acceptable. It is 

also disrespectful to touch someone’s head 

or pass something over someone’s head. 

Women expect men to maintain a 

reasonable distance, while unrestrained 

behaviour or emotions tend to be frowned 

upon as immature or a call for attention. 

These include raising your voice, showing 

excessive frustration/joy and public displays 

of affection between men and women. 


MEETINGS AND 

PRESENTATIONS 

Organise appointments before you 

depart the UK. Follow up with telephone 

calls on arrival to confirm availability. 

Meetings can be arranged for over 

breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as 

during normal office hours. 

English is commonly used at meetings and 

presentations in Thailand. Presentations 

are most effective when delivered formally 

and follow commonly accepted formats. 

However, more informal Q&A sessions will 

often encourage participation, as Thais 

are normally not keen to exchange views 

in formal settings or large meetings where 

there is a mixture of differently ranked 

53


MEETINGS AND 

PRESENTATIONS 

(CONTINUED) 

individuals. To encourage the audience 

to be more forthcoming with questions 

you might wish to consider deploying 

mechanisms such as allowing participants 

to submit anonymous questions on pieces 

of paper. 

During a meeting or presentation it is 

normal behaviour for Thais to speak to 

each other in Thai. This is not meant to be 

rude or a sign they are bored, but rather 

an attempt to seek confirmation that they 

have understood something correctly. 

Always take plenty of business cards and 

corporate literature along to meetings/ 

presentations. If possible, have the reverse 

of your business card translated into Thai. 

It usually creates a very good first impression. 

Follow up meetings by letter/email on 

your return to the UK. If possible, keep the 

Embassy informed of progress. 

54 


NEGOTIATING 

TECHNIQUES 

Building good relationships is a vital 

part of the business and negotiation 

process in Thailand. Thais place great 

importance on establishing the right 

chemistry with their business partners, 

and if this is achieved the subsequent 

relationship will benefit significantly. 

Getting business agreement can be a 

lengthy process. Thais are not generally 

quick decision-makers – they prefer to 

consult with several people before making 

decisions. Do not expect to do business 

immediately or necessarily on the first visit. 

Signs of impatience should be avoided.

UK SUCCESS STORIES 

BG Group: has a major investment in 

the Gulf of Thailand. This is focused on 

upstream activities, including an interest 

in the large offshore Bongkot field, which 

supplies approximately 15 per cent of 

Thailand’s gas demand. 

Boots: With annual sales of some 

£51 million and nearly 200 stores 

nationwide, Boots’ retail operation in 

Thailand is its biggest in overseas markets. 

Pipe Supports Ltd: recently opened 

its third factory in Thailand. Located 

near Bangkok, Pipe Supports Asia Ltd 

supplies the complete range of the 

Group’s pipe support products, including 

constant and variable supports, dynamic 

restraints, clamps, slide bearings and 

cryogenic support systems. The company 

manufactures a significant proportion 

of the Group’s products for distribution 

mainly in Asia and the Middle East. 

Reckitt Benckiser: has a licence to sell 

Strepsils throat lozenges into Thai grocery 

outlets. It recently expanded in Thailand 

with help from UKTI. 

Standard Chartered Bank: has 42 

branches in Thailand offering the full 

range of consumer, corporate and financial 

institution products. Standard Chartered 

has been in Thailand since 1894. 

Tesco: Tesco is the largest UK investor in 

Thailand with over 660 stores across the 

country. 1998 saw the establishment of 

hypermarket Tesco Lotus in Thailand, 

a joint venture between Tesco and the local 

Charoen Pokphand Group. This partnership 

was dissolved in 2003 when Charoen 

Pokphand sold its shares to Tesco. 

Tesco Lotus sells a diverse range of 

products and services, including food, 

electronics and personal finance. 

Triumph Motorcycles: in September 2008 

Triumph Motorcycles announced that it 

was expanding one of its Thai factories 

to increase capacity to over 130,000 

motorcycles. Triumph’s first factory in 

Thailand was opened in May 2002 and 

was established for the manufacture of 

motorcycle components including frames, 

fuel tanks, header systems, swinging arms, 

engine covers and chrome-plated parts. 

A second factory was opened in 2006 

where a wet painting facility and assembly 

line have been established. A third factory, 

opened in 2007, includes high-pressure 

diecasting and machining. The company 

now employs approximately 800 staff 

in Thailand. 

55

UK SUCCESS STORIES 

(CONTINUED) 

Rolls-Royce: Rolls-Royce has major 

contracts for its Trent range of engines 

with Thai Airways International and 

Bangkok Airways. In addition to its 

success with local airlines, Rolls-Royce 

is already an established supplier 

to Thailand’s oil and gas sector, the 

Royal Thai Armed Forces and merchant 

vessel operators. 

Ewen McDonald, Regional Director, 

Rolls-Royce Thailand, said: 

“The Kingdom of Thailand is very 

important to Rolls-Royce. Thai Airways 

International and Bangkok Airways are 

valuable customers and recent additional 

orders will expand the Trent aero engine 

presence in the region. 

“They also offer a significant opportunity 

to strengthen further the partnership 

between the UK and Thailand, with the 

support of the UKTI team in Bangkok 

which has provided assistance to 

Rolls-Royce whenever appropriate.” 

56 

CONTACTS 

If you have a specific export enquiry about 

the Thai market which is not answered by 

the information contained in this report 

please contact: 

UK Trade & Investment Enquiry Service 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7215 8000 

Fax: +44 (0)141 228 3693 

Email: enquiries@ukti.gsi.gov.uk 

UK Trade & Investment South East Asia Unit 

1 Victoria Street 

London 

SW1H 0ET 

UK 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7215 8000 

Alternatively, you can contact the UKTI 

team in Thailand directly: 

UK Trade & Investment, Bangkok 

British Embassy 

14 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan 

Bangkok 10330 


Tel: +66 (0)2 305 8333 

Fax: +66 (0)2 255 8619 

Email: dl.bangkokcommercial.protect 

@fco.gov.uk 

Website: http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk 

The UKTI team in Bangkok comprises 12 staff 

who help UK-based companies grow 

their business in Thailand and assist Thai 

companies in bringing their high-quality 

investment to the UK.

RESOURCES/USEFUL LINKS 

Country information 

BBC website 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/country_profiles/ 

default.stm 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office 

country profile 

www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/ 

travel-advice-by-country/country-profile 

Culture and communications 

CILT (National Centre for Languages) 

Regional Language Network in your area 

www.cilt.org.uk/workplace/employer_ 

support/in_your_area.aspx 

Customs and regulations 

HM Revenue & Customs 

www.hmrc.gov.uk 

Economic Information 

The Economist 

www.economist.com/countries 

Export control 

Export Control Organisation 

www.bis.gov.uk/exportcontrol 

Export finance and insurance 

Export Credits Guarantee Department 

www.ecgd.gov.uk 

Intellectual property 

Intellectual Property Office 

www.ipo.gov.uk 

Market access 

Market access database for tariffs 

(for non-EU markets only) 

http://mkaccdb.eu.int/mkaccdb2/ 

indexPubli.htm 

SOLVIT – Overcoming trade barriers 

(EU markets only) 

www.bis.gov.uk/EUMarketAccessUnit 

Standards and technical regulations 

British Standards Institution (BSI) 

www.bsigroup.com/en/sectorsandservices/ 

Disciplines/ImportExport 

National Physical Laboratory 

www.npl.co.uk 

Intellectual Property Office 

www.ipo.gov.uk 

57

Trade statistics 

National statistics information 

www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/index.html 

UK Trade information 

www.uktradeinfo.com 

Travel advice 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office 

www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad 

NHS 

www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcareabroad 

Travel health 

www.travelhealth.co.uk 

British Chamber of Commerce Thailand 

www.bccthai.com 

© Crown Copyright 2011 

You may reuse this information (not including logos, images and case studies) free of charge in any format 

or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence visit 

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or write to the Information Policy Team, 

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk 

Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to our Enquiry Service by email: 

enquiries@ukti.gsi.gov.uk or telephone: + 44 (0)20 7215 8000 (Monday – Friday 09.00-17.00) 

This publication is also available from our website at www.ukti.gov.uk 

58

HELPING YOUR BUSINESS GROW INTERNATIONALLY 

A range of UK Government support is available from a portfolio of initiatives called 

Solutions for Business (SfB). The “solutions” are available to qualifying businesses, 

and cover everything from investment and grants through to specialist advice, 

collaborations and partnerships. 

UK Trade & Investment is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies 

succeed in the global economy, and is responsible for the delivery of the SfB product 

“Helping Your Business Grow Internationally”. 

We also help overseas companies bring their high-quality investment to the UK’s dynamic 

economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. 

UK Trade & Investment offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of 

specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. 

We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. 

Other South-East Asia Business Guides are available for Indonesia, Malaysia, 

the Philippines and Vietnam. 

For further information please visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000. 

Whereas every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this document is accurate, neither 

UK Trade & Investment nor its parent Departments (the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office) accept liability for any errors, omissions or misleading statements, and no 

warranty is given or responsibility accepted as to the standing of any individual, firm, company or other 

organisation mentioned. 

The paper in this document is made from 50 per cent recycled waste pulp with 50 per cent pulp from 

well-managed forests. This is a combination of Totally Chlorine Free and Elemental Chlorine Free. 

The inks are vegetable oil-based and contain resins from plants/trees and the laminate on the cover 

is sustainable, compostable and can be recycled. 

Published March 2011 by UK Trade & Investment 

© Crown Copyright 

URN 11/690

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