Date: August 12, 2026

Should I open a Thai company or keep my US LLC as a digital nomad?

It depends on how you work and where your business operates. If your clients, income and business activities remain overseas, keeping your US LLC may be appropriate. However, if you begin operating a business in Thailand, hiring staff or serving the local market, establishing a Thai company may become necessary.

What We See In Practice

I already have a US LLC. If I move to Thailand, do I need to set up another company?

WHAT CLIENTS ASK US

Not necessarily. Many digital nomads assume living in Thailand means they must immediately register a Thai company. In reality, the main factor is usually not where the company was formed, but where and how the business is actually being carried on.

The first question is whether your business has a genuine business presence in Thailand. If you continue providing services exclusively to overseas clients through your existing US LLC, with no Thai customers, employees or local commercial activities, there may be no immediate need to establish a Thai company as the DTV would be possible. However, if the business starts trading in Thailand, signing local contracts, employing staff or generating income from the Thai market, a Thai corporate structure may become more appropriate from both a legal and commercial perspective.

The company structure is only one part of the analysis. Living in Thailand can also affect your visa, work authorisation and personal tax position, regardless of where your company is incorporated. Many digital nomads focus on whether they need a Thai company, when the more important question is whether their overall business and immigration arrangements reflect how they are actually operating. Reviewing the structure before relocating or expanding into Thailand can help avoid more significant issues later.

Author: Vincent Birot

Vincent Birot is a French-trained international business lawyer based in Bangkok. He holds a Master’s degree in International Business Law from La Sorbonne and an LL.M in International Commercial Law from the University of Exeter (UK), and has passed the Paris Bar examination. He is the Founder of Belaws, a one-stop platform for legal and corporate matters, facilitating access to trusted legal and business professionals who deliver compliant, practical solutions aligned with local laws and on-the-ground realities. He has advised foreign investors for over 10 years on corporate structuring, BOI promotion, cross-border tax, and regulatory compliance in Thailand. He previously served as Vice President of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce and is a founding member of French Tech Bangkok.