01 — Shop · Business guide
Restaurant or Café
Planning to open a restaurant or café in Thailand?
Thailand’s vibrant food culture, thriving tourism and café-loving locals make it a perfect place to start a culinary venture.
- Steps to launch
- 09
- Licences & permits
- 03
- Setup package
- 109,000 THB
Your roadmap
From idea to opening day
The path we follow with you for a restaurant or café in Thailand.
- 01
Choose a business structure
A Thai majority-owned company, BOI promotion or registration under the US–Thai Amity Treaty.
- 02
Lease or buy a location
Look for foot traffic and visibility — near offices, tourist zones or residential areas.
- 03
Register with the DBD
Register with the Department of Business Development, get your Tax ID and register for VAT.
- 04
Apply for licences
Restaurant licence, food hygiene certificate and — optionally — an alcohol licence.
- 05
Hire staff
Recruit your kitchen and service team.
- 06
Set up operations
Equipment, POS system and furniture; train the team on safety standards.
- 07
Marketing & partnerships
Local marketing and KOL partnerships.
- 08
Launch
Soft launch to test, then the grand opening.
- 09
Visa & work permit
Foreign owners and managers need a Non-B visa and a work permit.
What you need
Licences & setup package
Restaurant licence
Local District Office
Food hygiene certificate
Ministry of Public Health
Alcohol licence (optional)
Heavily regulated
Regulations can change. We confirm the requirements for your situation.