Basic Information

Investment privileges have long been used to support government goals in decentralizing Thailand's industrial base. In line with the government policy of decentralization from the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, the Board of Investment (BOI) uses a zone-based incentive scheme that divides the country into three zones based on economic factors (with earnings and primary facilities as criteria of each province).

Projects in Zone 1 (Bangkok and surrounding provinces) receive the least amount of tax-based incentives, while projects in the least developed provinces (Zone 3) receive the most. Promoted projects may receive additional incentives, including further tax and duty reductions, as well as allowances for infrastructure investments.

Zone 1 : includes Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonhtaburi and Pathum Thani (Bangkok and 5 provinces)

Zone 2 : includes Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Phuket, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, and Suphanburi (12 provinces)

Zone 3 : encompasses the remaining 58 provinces. Promoted industrial estates or industrial zones in Rayong Province shall be designated as Investment Promotion Zone 3 until December 31, 2014.

In addition to tax and duty privileges, the BOI offers investors a wide range of services, including work permits and long-term visas in three hours or less, a unit devoted to promoting linkages with Thai industry, the One Start One Stop Investment Center, which brings more than 20-government agencies at one central location.