Many people assume that foreigners may only lease land or invest indirectly in Thailand's hotel business. In reality, foreigners can also own and operate a hotel in Thailand outright.
Key Facts About Hotel Investment in Thailand
Many people assume that foreigners may only lease land or take an indirect stake in Thailand's hotel business. In reality, foreigners can also own and operate a hotel in Thailand outright, through the investment promotion policy of the BOI (Board of Investment), together with special privileges covering taxation, land-use rights and the employment of foreign specialists.
Conditions and Requirements
1. Number of rooms and investment value
• 100 rooms or more: minimum investment of 2 million baht per room (excluding the cost of land and working capital)
• Fewer than 100 rooms: minimum total investment of 500 million baht
• SME category (20 - 99 rooms): minimum investment of 1 million baht per room
2. The hotel must comply with the standards prescribed by the relevant authorities
Privileges Granted
1. Where the project is located in a tourism province or city (secondary province)
• Corporate income tax exemption for up to 5 years
• Exemption from import duty on machinery, research and development equipment, and raw materials (subject to conditions)
• Exemption from tax on dividends throughout the privilege period
• 100% land ownership permitted (even for a company with foreign shareholders)
• Facilitated visa and work permit applications for foreign specialists
• Convenient remittance of foreign currency out of the country
2. Where the project is located in other provinces
• No exemption from import duty on machinery
• Privileges relating to land, foreign personnel and the remittance of funds still apply
Classification of Primary and Secondary Provinces
Central - Eastern - Western Regions
• Primary provinces: Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong
• Secondary provinces: Lopburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Prachinburi, Chai Nat, Ang Thong, Sing Buri
Northern Region
• Primary provinces: Chiang Mai
• Secondary provinces: Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Tak, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Lamphun, Uttaradit, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Phichit, Phrae, Nan, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Phayao
Northeastern Region (Isan)
• Primary provinces: Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima
• Secondary provinces: Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai, Loei, Mukdahan, Buriram, Chaiyaphum, Sisaket, Surin, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Bueng Kan, Kalasin, Yasothon, Nong Bua Lamphu, Amnat Charoen
Southern Region
• Primary provinces: Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Songkhla, Surat Thani
• Secondary provinces: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Chumphon, Ranong, Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani
Summary
BOI policy opens the door for foreigners to own and manage hotels in Thailand entirely lawfully — not merely to lease property or invest indirectly, as many people assume. With privileges spanning taxation, land ownership in certain cases, and support for foreign personnel and the remittance of funds, it stands out as one of the most attractive investment routes into Thailand's tourism and hotel industry today.
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• We provide a free credit check and loan application service, with complimentary advice and no obligation, covering every bank.
• Loan applications accepted for every occupation: salaried employees, freelancers and business owners.
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