Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing small companies or SMEs here in Thailand, so-called small to medium sizes enterprises. We here at Integrity actually assist a number of SMEs in getting set up here in Thailand. We have a number of clients who run small companies here using corporate entities. There are a number of benefits that come to a corporation especially a corporation that is foreign owned here in Thailand, one of the major benefits being Business Visa status as well as Work Permit status. It is possible to utilize such a structure to go ahead and use that structure to act as a sponsor for a Work Permit and Thai Business Visa but bear in mind there are a number of formalities associated with that. And depending on your nationality you may have to deal with the provisions of the Foreign Business Act and structure your business in such a way so as not to be in violation of the Foreign Business Act. Americans looking to do business in the Kingdom may find benefit to themselves in the form of the US-Thai Treaty of Amity which allows Americans to do business with so-called "national treatment" so once a company is certified here in the Kingdom, it can be granted certain benefits under that Treaty, most notably Americans can own that company 100% notwithstanding the provisions of the Foreign Business Act.

That said, it must be understood that Business Visas and Work Permits operate differently from the company itself. The two are not necessarily tied completely together. The Business Visa and the Work Permit pertains to an individual looking to work and do business in Thailand. Meanwhile, the company is basically the structure under which that business is being conducted. 

The other thing to take away from this video and to understand is that Business Visa status and Work Permit status are required to do business in Thailand. You will sometimes see folks running around bandying about the misconception that "oh you don't need a Work Permit to be a director of a Thai company" for example. Strictly speaking, to perform the perfunctory functions of a Director, like signing off on a corporate meeting, signing off that a meeting had occurred for the corporation, that in and of itself may not require a Work Permit. That said, that is a very, very narrow thing to look at. Work Permits are required for those who are engaging in work here in the Kingdom of Thailand.