What Would We Do If We Needed to Obtain BOI?

Using software development as an example

Obtaining BOI promotion is not just about submitting an application — it is a comprehensive process of aligning a business with government requirements. Let’s break down how we would approach it.

Step 1. Define the Business Category

First, we would review the Eligible Activities for Promotion by Business Categories list and match it with our business model.

In the case of software development — this falls under Category 8.1.1.

In practice, determining the correct category is not always straightforward.
There are cases where the BOI suggests changing the category after the application has been submitted. This is usually not critical, but it is important to consider at the planning stage. At this point, we would also review the project approval criteria.

Step 2. Study the BOI Requirements

Each category has specific requirements.

For software development, the key conditions are:

investment of at least 1,500,000 THB per year (including Thai staff payroll)
development must take place in Thailand
trading activities are not allowed
project launch within 12 months after obtaining BOI

At this stage, we would assess:

the project’s financial model
the need to hire Thai staff
team structure and role distribution

Step 3. Prepare Documents and Application

Next, we would:

download the application form
review the list of required documents
align the business presentation with BOI requirements

This helps identify what matters most for approval:

job creation
employee training
technological component

Step 4. Submit the Application and Manage the Process

The application is submitted through the E-service system (E-INVESTMENT PROMOTION).

We would:

submit the application online
monitor the status
promptly provide additional documents if requested

It is important to understand that the process largely depends on the BOI officer.
Different officers may request different levels of detail.

Step 5. Prepare for the Interview

The interview is a key stage in obtaining BOI approval.

We would:

prepare a project presentation
work through potential questions
involve a translator if necessary

The main objective is to clearly demonstrate the value of the project for Thailand’s economy and prove its feasibility.

Conclusion

With a structured approach, obtaining BOI is a realistic tool for launching a business in Thailand with 100% foreign ownership.

The key factors are:

proper preparation
compliance with requirements
a well-structured project presentation