Registering a company in Surat Thani and Samui: accommodation, tours and palm oil
Incorporating in Surat Thani and on Samui: the provincial filing point, island versus mainland addresses, accommodation and tour licences, palm oil and rubber work, and what follows the affidavit.
Zura Labs & Business Hub Co., Ltd.
Companies in Surat Thani, Samui included, file at the Surat Thani Provincial Business Development Office or online through e-Registration. The steps are standard; the planning difference is that almost every island business is accommodation, food or tours, where the licence attaches to real premises and zoning plus the lease matter. We hold no office in this province, so you register at your own address, or use our Bangkok or Khon Kaen address for businesses with no storefront.
Reviewed 2026-09-14 by the Zura Labs corporate services team.
- Provincial filing point
- Surat Thani Provincial Business Development Office, or online e-Registration
- Tax authority
- Surat Thani Area Revenue Office for the tax ID and VAT
- Registered address we can provide
- Bangkok or Khon Kaen only — we hold no office in Surat Thani or on Samui
- Common local sectors
- Accommodation and villas, restaurants and bars, tours and boats, palm oil and rubber, island construction and maintenance
- Licences often needed on top
- Hotel or accommodation licence, food premises permit, tour operator licence, boat operation permits — as applicable
- Travel to Samui required?
- Not for the registration, but licences and site inspections need someone on the island
How this works in practice
- 01
Check the lease and zoning before incorporating
Samui and Pha Ngan have zoning and slope restrictions. For accommodation or a restaurant, confirm the lease permits commercial use and that the site can actually be licensed before paying rent or incorporating.
- 02
Reserve the name and set the shareholding
Tourism and accommodation restrict foreign shareholding. Fix share ratios, director authority and voting rights up front, and never use nominee shareholders — that is a direct legal exposure.
- 03
File the registration and obtain the tax ID
File at the Surat Thani provincial office or online. After the affidavit, obtain the tax ID. Accommodation and restaurants often reach the VAT threshold quickly, so prepare tax invoicing from the start.
- 04
Apply for licences, then build seasonal books
With the company in place, apply for the accommodation, food or tour licences. Then build books for seasonal revenue: separate deposits from earned income and record booking-platform commissions correctly.
Reasons this gets delayed or rejected
Daily villa rentals without an accommodation licence
Daily rentals fall under hotel rules and draw frequent complaints on Samui. Confirm licence conditions before listing.
Under-recording booking-platform revenue
Platforms remit net of commission, but taxable revenue is the gross amount. Record gross income with commission as an expense, and review the tax treatment of cross-border service fees.
Seasonal staff without registration
High-season staff still require Social Security registration and correct contributions. Cash-only payroll cannot be booked as a deductible expense.
Answers to the questions we hear most
Can I trade on Samui with a Khon Kaen company?
Yes, when the activity needs no premises-linked licence on the island — consulting, media work or online sales. Accommodation and restaurants must use the real premises address.
How much can a foreigner own in a tourism business?
It depends on the exact activity and the applicable law; many service activities cap foreign ownership below half. We check your activities one by one before proposing a structure, and avoid blanket answers.
How long does it take with complete documents?
Our side is normally three to seven working days. Queues and official review are outside our control, and we do not promise approval dates.
Do you have a team on Samui?
No. We work remotely from Bangkok and Khon Kaen; anything needing a person on site requires your staff or a local contractor.
This is general preparation information, not case-specific legal or accounting advice. Government fees, processing times and conditions change with official announcements. We review each guide on a schedule and show the review date on the page.