Educational Information Only
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Sor.Bor.Chor.5 — BOI Investment Promotion Application
The application form for investment promotion privileges from the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). Used by Thai companies and foreign investors to apply for tax holidays, customs-duty exemptions, foreign-ownership privileges, land-ownership rights, and visa/work-permit privileges in respect of qualifying activities.
When Used
Filed at the planning stage of a new investment in a BOI-promoted activity (technology, advanced manufacturing, R&D, healthcare, agritech, digital services, certain services) before substantial expenditure is incurred. Promotion is granted on a project basis; one company can hold multiple BOI certificates for separate projects. The application is reviewed against the activity list in the latest BOI Announcement (currently the 7-year plan B.E. 2566 (2023)–2570) and matched to a privilege tier (A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2) which determines the corporate income tax exemption length (3 to 13 years) and the import-duty exemption scope.
Who Files
An authorised director of the Thai company applying for promotion, or its officially appointed BOI representative. Foreign investors must usually incorporate a Thai company first, then apply.
Fee & Logistics
Free to submit the application. Annual fees on issued promotion certificates are modest (typically THB 5,000–20,000) and are payable post-approval.
Approximately 40–90 working days from filing to Board decision, depending on project complexity and the BOI committee schedule. Projects under THB 200 million can be approved at officer level (faster); larger projects go to Board sub-committees.
Online via the BOI e-Investment Promotion system (boi.go.th); BOI head office at Vibhavadi Rangsit, Bangkok; or any of the BOI regional and overseas offices.
Filing Method
- Online via the BOI e-Investment Promotion system
- In-person at BOI Headquarters (Vibhavadi Rangsit, Bangkok)
- BOI regional offices (Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla, Phitsanulok, Surat Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima)
- BOI overseas offices
Required Documents
- Company affidavit (less than 30 days old)
- Shareholder list and capital structure
- Detailed project description (machinery, products, capacity, location)
- Investment cost breakdown by category (land, building, machinery, working capital)
- Source of funds — equity and debt
- Market analysis and projected financials (5-year minimum)
- Environmental and social impact summary
- Technology transfer and employment plan
- For foreign investors: parent company financials and group structure chart
Field-by-Field Walkthrough
Applicant Information
(ข้อมูลผู้ขอ)Company name (Thai/English), registration number, registered capital, paid-up capital, shareholder structure (nationality breakdown).
Project Information
Activity name, BOI category code, project location, products/services, production capacity, target markets.
Investment Details
(เงินลงทุน)Total investment in THB by category: land, buildings & civil work, machinery & equipment, working capital. Excludes the value of land for some categories.
Employment Plan
Number of Thai and foreign employees over a 3-year plan, including a breakdown of skilled/unskilled and the salary band by position.
Technology & Process
Description of the production process, machinery list, level of technology (where this matters for the privilege tier), and any R&D or technology-transfer commitment.
Environmental Considerations
EIA status (required, exempt, or pending), waste-water and emissions handling, energy use.
Privileges Requested
Corporate income tax exemption period requested, machinery import duty exemption, raw material import duty exemption, foreign-shareholding above 49% (if applicable), land ownership privilege, work-permit/visa privileges.
Common Mistakes
- Applying after the company has already imported machinery — duty exemption is lost for items imported pre-approval.
- Selecting the wrong activity category — leads to rejection or downgrade to a lower privilege tier.
- Understating the investment to fit a category limit — BOI cross-checks against bank evidence.
- Treating the application as a one-off — BOI requires ongoing compliance reports (Sor.Tor.Por.) and annual reviews; failure to comply can revoke privileges retroactively.
Legal Basis
Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977), Section 16; Investment Promotion Act (No. 4) B.E. 2560 (2017); BOI Announcement No. 9/2565 setting out the activity list for 2022 onwards; BOI Announcement No. 1/2566 (the 7-year plan B.E. 2566 (2023)–2570).
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Submission of false information in support of an application is an offence under Section 55 of the Investment Promotion Act; convictions may lead to revocation of the promotion certificate, repayment of duty/tax exemptions enjoyed, and criminal fines or imprisonment up to 1 year.
This walkthrough summarises the practical filing requirements for a Thai government form as a starting point. Fees, procedures, and required documents change without notice — always verify with the issuing authority before filing. Educational use only; not a substitute for advice from a Thai-qualified lawyer, accountant, or licensed visa agent.
Professional Legal Assistance
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