Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Thai companies and whether or not they're going to remain the path to Permanent Residence here in Thailand for foreigners in 2026, and the answer that question is basically Yes. 

As I have discussed in other videos, there has been a lot of talk about other types of visas, most notably the Long-term so-called Residence Visa, the LTR Visa, which claims to provide Residence; it doesn't, it's not Lawful Permanent Residence. Lawful Permanent Residence is clearly defined in the Immigration Act of 1979 here in Thailand and Permanent Residence still exists. There is an application window although presently, processing is not moving at the same pace as we have seen in the past. 

That being said, I would say going into 2026, Thai Companies remain the path for foreigners who are really dedicated to living and working in Thailand, it remains the path for them to get Permanent Residence because generally speaking, this is the most optimal way of maintaining one's own documentation. Also working in Thailand with a proper Work Permit and proving up taxes and all the requisite payouts including things like Social Security and compensation to employees that is necessary in order to eventually compile an application for Permanent Residence here in Thailand; that process is its own thing that I get to in another video I made contemporaneously with this one. 

It's worth also pointing out that there are options with regard to Americans utilizing Thai Companies, specifically the US-Thai Treaty of Amity which provides Americans with the ability to gain "National treatment" when doing business in Thailand and own their company 100% which is a legal posture that is not accorded to really any other nationality here in Thailand. So there are multiple options if you are American, but if another nationality, there may also be other options including but not limited to Board of Investment certification as well as Eastern Economic Corridor Certification could also allow for Certification of a company in order for a foreigner to possibly maintain majority ownership of that enterprise. That being said, such analysis will be driven by the underlying facts in a given case. 

The thing to take away from this video though is in my opinion yes in 2026, Thai Company ownership, especially for small businesses and small operators looking to live and work in Thailand, Thai Company ownership is the optimal way to eventually seek Permanent Residence here in the Kingdom of Thailand.