Business idea for koh samui

jaxw17 · #1 (**permalink**) 28th January 2010, 05:57 PM

If Dave and myself had an idea for a business to run in Samui where could we find info on what we need to know. We won't be buying property only renting. Can anyone advise about things like tax and permission to run a business.

Don't want to go into too much here but it will involve taking people on tours with special transport.

We have business acumen gained from the U.K but understand that as farang things will be very different.

Can any one give us advice or steer us in the right direction.

stevenl · #2 (**permalink**) 29th January 2010, 03:42 AM

You would have to start a company limited. When you have the Co.Ltd you can get the non-immigrant B-visa. Required for a workpermit: investment of 2 mio Thai Baht and 4 Thai staff (or at least pay social security for 4 people). For an additional workpermit the requirements double.

Curt · #3 (**permalink**) 29th January 2010, 08:16 AM

A book has been written on this subject: Start Up in Thailand

Then there's always the system that is Samui itself. Are you, at all, connected there?

jaxw17 · #4 (**permalink**) 29th January 2010, 06:35 PM

Not connected in Samui. Maybe just to some of the monkeys!

Thanks for the advice will do some research.

FBI · #5 (**permalink**) 30th January 2010, 05:54 AM

You could check out one of these companies for info:
Siam Legal
or
Sunbelt Asia

#6 (**permalink**) 30th January 2010, 02:45 PM

Don't want to go into too much here but it will involve taking people on tours with special transport.

Try it, ............if you want problems with the already operating tour companies.

Cheap Charley · #7 (**permalink**) 1st February 2010, 05:16 PM

If you can't pack it and move it in 15 minutes, lease it!

You would be very wise to sit and look and talk to people for a full year before you commit, experience all the seasons! I ran a scuba diving operation in Cambodia for 7 years and I wish that I had heard that first before I jumped in.

Write a business plan pay attention to the SWAT, Strengths, Weakness, Assets & Threats.

jaxw17 · #8 (**permalink**) 1st February 2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travel Forum Guest

Don't want to go into too much here but it will involve taking people on tours with special transport.

Try it, ............if you want problems with the already operating tour companies.

I know where you are coming from but it is different from anything already running

jaxw17 · #9 (**permalink**) 1st February 2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheap Charley

If you can't pack it and move it in 15 minutes, lease it!

You would be very wise to sit and look and talk to people for a full year before you commit, experience all the seasons! I ran a scuba diving operation in Cambodia for 7 years and I wish that I had heard that first before I jumped in.

Write a business plan pay attention to the SWAT, Strengths, Weakness, Assets & Threats.

Good advice. Have spent a fair amount of time there but know that we only see the surface as tourists

stevenl · #10 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2010, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxw17

I know where you are coming from but it is different from anything already running

That does not mean they existing operations won't see it as a threat, and will e.g. set fire to a boat.

Make sure you get good, reliable information from somebody in the area whether your idea would be a perceived threat yes or no and would be 'allowed' to exist by the existing operations.

For Phuket I could help you out, sorry, am not familiar enough with Samui for that.