The US-Thai Treaty of Amity allows American citizens to incorporate companies in Thailand that are majority-owned by Americans. These companies receive national treatment and are exempt from most restrictions imposed on foreign investment by Thai law.
To apply for protection under the Treaty, a company must compile a dossier of documents and submit them to the Commercial Services Office (CSO) at the US Embassy. This process can take time.
The Treaty of Amity grants Americans national treatment in the business activities of Thailand, which is a major trade and investment incentive. It also provides American citizens with opportunities to secure visas as "treaty traders" and "treaty investors," which allows them to own and operate companies in Thailand on the same basis as Thai nationals.
The process of obtaining protection under the Treaty of Amity is complicated and requires extensive documents to be certified at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. Among other things, the Foreign Administration Division, Department of Business Development of the Ministry of Commerce must issue a letter certifying that the business entity seeking protection under the Treaty meets all requirements of Thai law.
Although the Treaty of Amity has opened up many service sectors, it restricts the ownership of land and certain businesses such as domestic trade in indigenous agricultural products and exploitation of land and natural resources. In addition, companies with majority American ownership must comply with work permit rules.
The US-Thai Treaty of Amity allows for American citizens and companies to incorporate in Thailand and engage in certain privileges that are not available to foreign companies under the Foreign Business Act. In order to receive these benefits, the company must first be properly incorporated in Thailand and then the Commercial Services Office of the US Embassy will certify that the company is registered in compliance with Thai law.
Generally, Amity Treaty companies are exempt from most restrictions under the Foreign Business Act and operate on the same basis as Thai majority companies. However, it is important to consult with a firm experienced in Thai business registration before applying to register an Amity Treaty Company.
There are some limitations under the Treaty of Amity regarding property appropriation. Private property can be taken by the government for public use, but only if the process is fair and follows the rules laid out in the law. Additionally, disputes over ownership of property can be resolved by arbitration under the International Arbitration Act.
The Treaty of Amity allows American citizens and companies that are incorporated in the United States or majority owned by US residents to enjoy certain privileges when doing business in Thailand. Those privileges include national treatment, which exempts the company from most restrictions on foreign investment imposed by the Foreign Business Act.
In order to obtain the benefits of the treaty, a company must compile all required documentation, such as documents verifying that the company has been registered in compliance with Thai law, and submit them to the Commercial Service office at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok for certification. The document must also show the ratio of shares held by Thai and foreign shareholders, as well as the names and nationalities of directors with the power to bind the company.
In addition, Amity Treaty companies take longer and are more expensive to register than non-Amity foreign majority companies. Nevertheless, the benefits and rights granted under the treaty are significant enough to warrant investment.
A joint venture allows a smaller company to benefit from the financial, intellectual property thailand and expertise of a larger partner. It can also help businesses access new markets more quickly, as the local logistics and regulations are taken care of by the partner.
There are two main types of joint ventures: equity and non-equity. Equity JVs involve the creation of a separate legal entity and share profits and losses; non-equity JVs are contractual agreements without a separate entity and usually focus on collaboration for specific projects or tasks. It’s important to have a clear written agreement that details the purpose, contribution of each party, governance structures and management responsibilities. It should also address intellectual property rights, dispute resolution procedures and profit/loss sharing formulas.
The treaty does not allow Amity Treaty Companies to engage in activities restricted under the Foreign Business Act, such as real estate, domestic trade in agricultural products and land and natural resources exploitation. However, the company can apply for an exception to these restrictions if they wish to do so.
Recent Comments