BOI Promotion & Investment Incentives

BOI promotion is a government incentive status granted under Thailand's Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977). The Thai government uses it to attract investment in strategic sectors by offering corporate-income-tax exemptions of 3–13 years, import-duty relief, and expedited work permits. In exchange, promoted companies commit to specific outcomes: investment quanta, job creation, technology transfer, or export targets. The BOI reviews activity eligibility annually; the 2026–2027 framework covers 300+ categories.

On 19 May 2025, the BOI extended the SME-tier CIT exemption from 3 years at 50% of investment value to 5 years at 100% of investment value for qualifying Thai-owned SMEs investing in efficiency improvements. Eligibility requires Thai-majority ownership, paid-in capital under defined SME thresholds, and a manufacturing or technology-services activity. The streamlined evaluation track typically delivers approval in 60–90 days.

For a complete, well-prepared application, 3–6 months end-to-end is realistic: 2–4 weeks of Plizz scoping and drafting, 30–60 days of BOI staff evaluation, then Subcommittee or Board approval. Tier A1/A1+ applications (high-priority strategic industries) can run 6–9 months. SME applications under the 2025 enhanced measure are typically faster (60–90 days) due to a streamlined track.

THB 1 million minimum (excluding land and working capital) for most BOI categories. Data centres require THB 5 billion under the 2025 framework. Large strategic projects (A1, A1+) typically require THB 200M+. Plizz's Phase 1 confirms the specific floor for your activity before drafting begins.

Yes. BOI promotion is activity-based, not nationality-based. A successful BOI-promoted project is exempt from the Foreign Business Act's 49% foreign-ownership cap. Note: the 2025 SME-tier measure is restricted to Thai-majority SMEs — that specific incentive is one of the few BOI categories where Thai majority is a precondition.

Test in this order: (1) BOI if your activity is promoted — best combination of full ownership and tax. (2) Treaty of Amity if you are US-majority and the activity isn't BOI-promoted (or BOI compliance overhead exceeds the benefit) — fast 100% ownership, no tax exemption. (3) Foreign Business License if neither applies — slower, more discretionary, no tax benefits, but the only path for non-US foreign-majority companies in restricted non-promoted activities. Plizz's Phase 1 runs this cascade for every client.

Operations must commence (actual production or service delivery, not just incorporation) within 36 months of the BOI certificate date. Missing the deadline without prior BOI extension approval is grounds for certificate revocation, which removes the CIT exemption retroactively — previously sheltered profits become taxable with surcharge and interest. Extension requests must be filed before the deadline lapses and are discretionary. Plizz prepares extensions 90 days in advance.

Yes. The CIT exemption is the headline benefit, but VAT (7%), withholding tax, stamp duty, and employee personal income tax continue to apply. A BOI company must file monthly VAT and PND returns, half-year and annual CIT returns (showing the exempt portion), and annual BOI compliance reports. The exemption applies only to net profits from the promoted activity — non-promoted revenue streams are taxed normally.

BOI-promoted companies process Non-Immigrant B visas and work permits at the BOI Head Office on Wireless Road, Bangkok, through the One Start One Stop Investment Center (OSOS). OSOS issues work permits in approximately 3 hours in straightforward cases versus 7–14 days through the standard Department of Employment channel. Visa extensions are often same-day. This is one of the most under-discussed BOI benefits and is frequently the deciding factor for MNCs with rotating expat assignments.

A-tiers (A1+ through A4) provide both tax incentives (CIT exemption for 3–13 years) and non-tax incentives (import duty relief, OSOS work permits, land ownership for A1/A1+). B-tiers provide non-tax incentives only — OSOS work permits and, for B1, machinery duty exemption — but no CIT exemption. B-tier is the right structure for service companies whose Thai CIT exposure is minimal but who need OSOS work-permit speed for rotating expat staff.