Are You Aware of US-Thai Amity Treaty?

I am sure not many. During the initial consultation with my potential clients, I have found hardly anyone is aware of this type of treaty signed between the US and Thailand. So, what is this all about? Well, actually if register your company under US-Thai Amity Treaty you may be eligible for 100% ownership of the company.

Wondering when Thailand is doing so much to promote more foreign investment why can’t they grant 100% foreign ownership of the business? Well, there are actually many scopes through which a foreigner can claim complete ownership. One of them is registering the company under Board of Investment.

But the US-Thai Amity Treaty is only applicable in the case of a US national. So, if you are an American, you can own 100% shares of the company in Thailand.

Signed in 1966, this treaty gives the US citizens the leverage to establish a company or even a branch office in Thailand. According to the norms of the treaty, a foreign company is permitted to do anything that a Thai company would do.

The major benefit being, owning the majority of the shares, the foreign company also receives national treatment. However, to enjoy all the benefits that come along with a company registered under the Amity treaty, you must be eligible first. Let’s see;

• Your business must be registered as the American limited company, sole proprietorship, joint venture or partnership.
• If you want to get covered under the US-Thai Amity Treaty, then you must submit proofs of being a US citizen. Well, that could be either by naturalization or by birth.
• The majority of the shareholders and the directors must be US nationals either by birth or naturalization.
• For an American company, which is a subsidiary of a parent company or a holding company must have US national majority management.
• For a US company willing to invest in a Thai company in order to get a majority of its shares, the stockholders and owners of both the companies must be US citizens.

If these criteria are matching with yours then you may be eligible to register a company under the Amity Treaty. However, if you have a special case, you can call to know. The entire process will take at least 4 to 5 weeks of time and you must allow us that. The process may seem simple to you, but it isn’t. Strict checks are conducted to ensure nothing goes wrong. And we make sure that we get everything right for quick set-up of the company.