Thread: Starting a Resort or Spa in Thailand

Does anyone know the laws required to start a business with a Thai spouse for a Resort or Spa in Thailand?

My idea is to purchase a large house in the Chiang Mai area and transform it into a resort/spa. It may be as simple as other businesses started by farangs with a Thai spouse, but I doubt it.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

I have ordered the following book from Amazon and it should give me some good insight to starting a business in Thailand.

"How to Establish a Successful Business in Thailand"
Philip Wylie


There is no substitute for actual experience, so if any of you have done this, your comments are welcome.

Just and FYI, I found this book title on a TD thread.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

"How to Establish a Successful Business in Thailand"
Philip Wylie

I do not think it will be a big book - I think about the same amount of pages as

"The aboriginal book of fighter aircraft"

^
You are probably right cheekyman, but maybe worth a look. I will let you know if it is good reading or not.

Hi Rick, you might also want to check the area around you to see how all the other spas and resorts are doing biz wise. It some areas, resorts spas are like coffee shops, they're everywhere. You would need to distinguish yours from the rest. Just a thought.

^ If its got aircon in the bedroom and a fridge I,ll use it

Loads for sale in that lacal

Chiang Mai Lanna House Real Estate - Resorts for Rent in Chiang Mai

Originally Posted by Eliminator

Hi Rick, you might also want to check the area around you to see how all the other spas and resorts are doing biz wise. It some areas, resorts spas are like coffee shops, they're everywhere. You would need to distinguish yours from the rest. Just a thought.

Yes, you are right. Upscale spas are not as many and they seem to be doing very well, but I have a lot of research to do before committing to anything. The laws are my first concern to make sure Thailand does not make it too difficult to start a business.

^^
Yes, Baloa there plenty of opportunities, but it does need to be set apart from all the others and I do have some ideas on how to do that.

Yes there does/is rackschoppers,lets hope there's a happy ending to your Spa idea.

Something like this might work.

Rick I think you might want to pm simon43

I think he has quite a lot of experience in setting up these sort of things on Phuket.

Last I think he was setting one up over in Burma.

won't be easy....

But good luck anyway

Thanks Smug. I have read all his posts paying particular attention to what he had to do to start a hotel in Thailand. He is a wealth of information on the topic and will be speaking to him more if things progress.

I am still in the research phase and a lot has to happen before I am ready to talk serious shop.

I have seen Thais start businesses in the village like noodle shops, hair salons, etc. without having a business license. Is there not law stating you need a business license in Thailand, or is there a law that is just not enforced?

If my wife officially "owns" the business, will she need to apply for a business license or not is my question?