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Thailand Law
Doing Business in Thailand? We’ve Got You Covered.
We provide legal support for companies and individuals doing business in or with Thailand.
Contact UsShifting Manufacturing to Thailand
China’s ongoing trade wars with the United States and the EU have highlighted the importance of a diversified supply chain. As a result, many of our clients from around the world are shifting their manufacturing from China.
This trend predated the current US-China trade war, with many early movers setting up operations in Vietnam. As a result, many Vietnamese factories are now at capacity, making it increasingly difficult to find available factories in Vietnam.
Thailand has also become quite busy, but in some industries, it still has sufficient capacity. Thailand offers a welcoming business climate for foreign investment, with significant recent investments in infrastructure (new roads, ports, trains, airports) geared towards an export-driven economy. The government strongly supports the development of an innovation-based value economy and has recently implemented broad reforms to address economic stability, competitiveness, ease of doing business, human capital development, environmental sustainability, and a more streamlined bureaucracy.
Thailand: A Secure and Strategic Location for Your Manufacturing Needs
Thailand’s established manufacturing sector offers a compelling combination of stability, infrastructure, and growth potential for foreign companies. However, navigating Thailand’s legal and regulatory environment can be complex. Our team of experienced Thailand manufacturing lawyers can guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and successful operation.
How Harris Sliwoski Can Help You Thrive in Thailand
We understand the unique challenges and opportunities foreign companies face when establishing manufacturing operations in Thailand. Here’s how we can help you navigate Thailand’s manufacturing landscape so you can achieve your business goals:
- Entry Strategy and Legal Structure: We’ll advise you on the most appropriate Thailand entry strategy for your business, whether it’s establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary, a joint venture, or a liaison office. We’ll also guide you through the legal process of setting up your chosen entity and ensure compliance with Thai regulations.
- Contract Negotiation and Structuring: Our lawyers have extensive experience in negotiating and structuring comprehensive Thailand manufacturing agreements that protect your interests. This includes production quality control, intellectual property ownership, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
- Compliance Management: Manufacturing in Thailand involves adhering to labor, environmental, tax, and other regulations. Our team will help you navigate these complexities and ensure your operations remain compliant.
- Intellectual Property Protection: Protecting your intellectual property (IP) is crucial. We’ll assist you in registering trademarks and patents in Thailand and advise on strategies to prevent IP infringement.
- Supply Chain and Logistics Management: Establishing efficient supply chains and navigating customs procedures is essential. We can connect you with trusted partners and help you develop a logistical strategy that optimizes your operations.
The Harris Sliwoski Advantage:
- Deep Thailand Expertise: Our lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of Thailand’s manufacturing sector and legal environment.
- Client-Centric Approach: We take the time to understand your specific business goals and tailor our services accordingly.
- Seamless Communication: Our team is fluent in English and Thai, ensuring clear and effective communication throughout the process.
- Proven Track Record: We have a successful history of helping foreign companies establish and grow their manufacturing operations in Thailand.
By partnering with Harris Sliwoski, you gain a trusted advisor who can help you overcome challenges, navigate the legalities, and achieve success in Thailand’s dynamic manufacturing landscape.
Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your Thailand manufacturing goals.
Manufacturing in Thailand
Thailand is Southeast Asia’s second largest economy, with a dynamic consumer market of 70 million people.
In 2022, Thailand’s manufacturing output was $120.5 billion, a 9.2% increase from 2021. This is part of an average annual growth rate of 7% from 2010 to 2022, which is higher than the Southeast Asia region’s average of 4.3%. In 2022, manufacturing contributed 26.4% to Thailand’s GDP, and the country has set a goal of 35% by 2030. In 2023, Thailand received a record $28.9 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), which was a 20.5% increase from the previous year. Thailand is rapidly growing, and its manufacturing sector is at the forefront.
Thailand: A Strong Manufacturing Hub in Southeast Asia
Thailand is a well-established and significant manufacturing center in Southeast Asia, with the following manufacturing strengths:
- Centrally located within Southeast Asia, offering easy access to regional markets.
- The Thai government actively promotes foreign investment and offers attractive incentives for manufacturers.
However, establishing manufacturing facilities and a logistics infrastructure in Thailand are complicated processes, and missteps can cost millions. Our deep knowledge of local laws and business and regulatory environments allows us to help our clients identify the most appropriate manufacturing model and operational framework for them in Thailand.
Thai Manufacturing
Thailand produces a wide range of products across various industries. Some of the key products manufactured in Thailand include:
Electronics and Electrical Equipment
- Mobile phones and accessories
- Computers and electronic components
- Household appliances
Textiles and Garments
- Clothing and apparel
- Fabrics and textiles
- Footwear and leather goods
Automobile and Motorcycle Parts
- Engine components
- Tires and tubes
- Vehicle assembly parts
Furniture and Wood Products
- Wooden furniture
- Plywood and veneer
- Wooden handicrafts
- Wooden household items
- Wooden toys
Agricultural Products
- Processed foods
- Seafood (fish, shrimp, etc.)
- Rice, fruits, and vegetables
Machinery and Equipment
- Industrial machinery
- Agricultural machinery
- Construction equipment
Plastic and Rubber Products
- Plastic household goods
- Rubber tires and products
- Industrial plastic components
Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals
- Basic chemicals
- Fertilizers
- Medicines and health supplements
Footwear
- Sports shoes
- Casual shoes
- Specialized footwear (e.g., safety shoes)
Steel and Metal Products
- Steel bars and rods
- Metal structures
- Hardware and tools
These diverse manufacturing capabilities make Thailand an attractive destination for foreign direct investment and an important player in global supply chains.
At the same time, Thailand presents challenges to investors and business operators. Foreign and Thai business owners agree that the country would benefit from improving intellectual property rights protection and simplifying legal procedures and tax codes, as well as streamlining its bureaucratic processes.
We have had two experienced Thai business advisors on staff since well before COVID, ensuring our clients receive the most informed and up-to-date advice. Establishing manufacturing facilities and a logistics infrastructure are complicated processes, and missteps can cost millions. Our deep knowledge of local laws and the business and regulatory environment allows us to help our clients identify the most appropriate manufacturing model and operational framework for them in Thailand.
Our lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of Thailand’s manufacturing sector and legal environment. We can assist you with:
- Establishing a manufacturing presence in Thailand (wholly-owned subsidiary, joint venture, etc.)
- Negotiating and structuring manufacturing agreements
- Ensuring compliance with Thai labor, environmental, and tax regulations
- Protecting your intellectual property rights
- Managing logistical operations and navigating customs procedures
By partnering with Harris Sliwoski, you can leverage our experience to overcome challenges and navigate the landscape for successful manufacturing operations in Thailand.
Common Thailand Questions We Answer
- What ownership structures are permitted for foreign businesses?
- What are the tax implications of manufacturing and operating in Thailand?
- Are there special economic zones that offer benefits such as reduced tax and reduced land costs?
- Have some industries been targeted to receive additional tax and other incentives?
- Has Thailand offered incentives for companies relocating manufacturing from China?
- What does the U.S.-Thailand Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations (AER), originally signed in 1833, mean for American business owners/investors?
- Are there any special challenges to obtaining visas for foreign workers, such as executives and experts?
- What are the advantages of Thailand’s membership in the ASEAN Economic Community (a single market of approximately65o million people covering 10 countries in the region)?
Our Team
Jenny Huang Thammapukkul and John DiDominic lead our Thailand team. Jenny is one of our Thailand business advisors. She has worked as a management consultant, helping foreign companies optimize their operations in Thailand. She advises on sourcing, cost optimization, quality control, productivity/process improvement, and relationship management. John is Harris Sliwoski’s International Manufacturing Advisor with more than a decade of management experience in Thailand. Leveraging decades of on-the-ground experience in Asia, John maintains a network of trusted advisors to support the establishment and operation of businesses and manufacturing operations throughout the region.
Our Asia desk, our international manufacturing team, and our IP team do the bulk of our Thailand legal work, sometimes in tandem with trusted Thai law firms and service providers.
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Our Clients' Successes
“Harris Sliwoski expertly guided us through the formation of our company. They continue to assist with necessary registrations and compliance with numerous regulations. They were able to promptly answer all our many questions and provide understandable options, explanations and practical advice. We expect to continue to use Harris Sliwoski on a regular basis as our company expands. They were also able to introduce us other professional experts. We would not hesitate to recommend Harris Sliwoski to any companies in need of legal advice.”
Three Continents Foods LLC
This law firm was a huge help as our company went through the process of commercial licensing in the California cannabis industry. They have helped us with a variety of legal issues in a timely fashion, while clearly communicating with us throughout the process. Everyone we’ve worked with at Harris Sliwoski is an expert in their field and we have always felt that we were in good hands through our legal representation.
Wil Crummer, CEO PRO Farms
Legal stuff is always scary. And I’ve had to play offense a couple times, begrudgingly. To have Harris Sliwoski have my back? It made things a lot less prickly. They quickly walked me through my options, and were refreshingly consistent in their communications, timing and billing. I’ve been lucky to stay out of the legal side of things my whole career, thankfully. When things went a little wrong, Harris Sliwoski quickly made things right.
Aaron Draplin, Founder Draplin Design Co.
I am impressed with this law firm. They answered all my questions regarding cannabis businesses and the California cannabis framework, and they have helped me with a variety of legal issues in a timely fashion, while always clearly communicating with us throughout the process. They also redirected me to other quality people for my business needs. Everyone I worked with at Harris Sliwoski is an expert in their field, and I was in good hands throughout my legal representation.
Corey T., CEO Thinc Cubed, LLC
I have been working with the lawyers at Harris Sliwoski for more than 20 years both as a business owner and as an executive at a large east-coast health system and that is because they have always efficiently provided high level and clear international law advice. Most recently, Harris Sliwoski provided legal support on many matters related to procuring medical products worldwide. Their support was particularly helpful to during the onset of COVID, when there was a big need for securing PPE quickly, all while navigating complicated international and domestic legal requirements. Harris Sliwoski’s team of international lawyers helped by conducting rapid-fire due diligence on potential suppliers, navigating the legal logistics for getting product from overseas and through U.S. customs, and drafting contracts to protect against various sorts of horribles. They did this by essentially providing what amounted to 24/7 service. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Dan Pak Hospital Supply Chain Executive
Harris Sliwoski has represented our company in the legal cannabis industry for years. Harris Sliwoski has advised us in a wide variety of legal matters, and they are truly experts in their field. I would highly recommend Harris Sliwoski to anyone with questions about cannabis law, or any legal matters. They have been great for our Company, and will continue to guide us as our industry evolves
Matt Hurt, COO Cannabis Nation
You won’t find a better partner than Harris Sliwoski when trying to navigate the complex world of healthcare regulations. They not only give sound and reliable legal advice, but they are also very responsive and are able to guide you in a way that helps you reach your business objectives as well.
Joseph Axelrod, General Counsel Irwin Naturals
When we started the process of building a ‘seed to sale’ cannabis company in Oregon, we saw the need for expert legal counsel. The cannabis sector is fraught with potential peril at every turn, and we wanted the best legal advice we could find. After talking to several firms and individuals, we feel extremely fortunate to have chosen Harris Sliwoski as our legal counsel.
Tony Theiss, CEO and Co-Founder Redbarn Cannabis
We use Harris Sliwoski on all our international legal matters, including on our international litigation matters. We have over the last few years been involved in a couple big international legal disputes and Harris Sliwoski’s international dispute resolution team provided us with expert legal assistance on both matters. They were always very careful to explain to us what they were doing and why and what their actions would likely cost us in legal fees. Most importantly, we did extremely well on both cases and I have no doubt Harris Sliwoski was a big factor in that.
Kevin English, CEO We Are Camp
We have used Harris Sliwoski for legal help related to our international manufacturing. The lawyers with whom I worked had extensive familiarity with the international legal issues involved in our various projects and offered us key insights. I particularly appreciated how they always quickly and efficiently do what they say they will do and always within their cost estimates.
Andrea Barona Valladolid, Senior Legal Counsel Fairphone