Complete BOI Thailand Investment Promotion Guide 2026

What Is the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI)?

The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) was established under the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977) to stimulate domestic and foreign investment in targeted industries. Operating under the Office of the Prime Minister, the BOI is the single most important agency for companies seeking investment incentives in Thailand. Its mandate covers both Thai and foreign-owned businesses across manufacturing, services, technology, and innovation sectors.

In 2026, the BOI plays a central role in Thailand's national economic strategy. Under the Thailand 4.0 policy framework, the BOI has aligned its promotion categories to prioritise high-value industries including artificial intelligence, digital platforms, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and creative industries. Companies investing in these areas receive the most generous incentive packages available.

How BOI Promotion Works

BOI promotion is activity-based, not company-based. This means a company applies for promotion of a specific business activity — such as developing AI software, operating a data centre, or manufacturing electronic components. Each promoted activity falls into one of eight groups (A1 through B2), with A1 receiving the most generous incentives and B2 the least.

Incentive Categories

Group A1 — Maximum incentives:

• Corporate income tax (CIT) exemption for up to 8 years with no cap on the exempt amount
• Additional CIT reduction of 50% for 5 years
• Import duty exemption on machinery
• Import duty exemption on raw materials for export production
• Examples: AI development, advanced robotics, biotechnology R&D

Group A2:

• CIT exemption for 8 years (capped at the investment amount excluding land and working capital)
• Import duty exemption on machinery
• Examples: Cloud services, electronic design, advanced agriculture

Group A3:

• CIT exemption for 5 years
• Import duty exemption on machinery
• Examples: Software development, digital platforms, data analytics services

Group A4:

• CIT exemption for 3 years
• Import duty exemption on machinery
• Examples: Certain manufacturing activities with technology components

Groups B1 and B2:

• Import duty exemption on machinery
• No CIT exemption but other tax benefits may apply

Non-Tax Incentives (All Groups)

Regardless of the incentive group, all BOI-promoted companies receive:

• Permission for foreign nationals to hold majority or 100% ownership (overriding the Foreign Business Act restrictions)
• Permission to own land for the promoted activity
• Permission to bring in foreign experts and technicians (work permit facilitation)
• Permission to remit foreign currency abroad

Additional Incentives: Merit-Based Enhancements

Beyond the base incentives, BOI offers additional CIT exemption years through a merit-based system. These enhancements reward companies that invest in areas the Thai government considers strategically important.

Competitiveness Enhancement

Companies can earn 1-3 additional years of CIT exemption by:

• Investing at least 1% of revenue or THB 200 million (whichever is lower) in R&D activities in Thailand
• Investing in advanced technology training for Thai employees — spending at least THB 5 million or 1% of payroll on training programmes that upgrade Thai worker skills
• Investing in product or process innovation recognised by a Thai government agency

Area-Based Incentives

Companies investing in specific geographic areas receive additional benefits:

• Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC): Additional CIT exemption and reduced corporate tax rates in the three EEC provinces (Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong)
• Special Economic Zones (SEZ): Border area SEZs offer additional CIT reductions and import duty exemptions
• Science parks and innovation zones: Companies in Thailand Science Park, Digital Park Thailand, or similar zones receive additional years of CIT exemption

Training Expense Deductions Under BOI

One of the most significant but often overlooked BOI benefits is the 200% tax deduction on training expenses. BOI-promoted companies can deduct double the actual cost of approved training programmes from their taxable income. This effectively means the government subsidises half of your training costs through reduced tax liability.

Qualifying Training

To claim the 200% deduction, training must:

• Be conducted for Thai employees (not foreign staff)
• Be related to the promoted activity
• Be provided by an approved training provider or in-house programme registered with the Department of Skill Development (DSD)
• Include AI, digital skills, technology, or other skills relevant to the promoted business

How the 200% Deduction Works

If a BOI-promoted company spends THB 1,000,000 on qualifying AI training, it can deduct THB 2,000,000 from its taxable income. At the standard 20% CIT rate, this generates THB 400,000 in tax savings — effectively making the net training cost only THB 600,000. For companies still within their CIT exemption period, this deduction is banked and can be used after the exemption expires.

Work Permits for Foreign Experts

BOI-promoted companies receive streamlined work permit processing for foreign employees. This is particularly valuable for bringing in AI specialists and trainers:

• Dedicated BOI work permit unit processes applications within 3 working days (compared to weeks for standard applications)
• No requirement to advertise the position to Thai nationals first
• Relaxed foreign-to-Thai employee ratios (standard ratio is 1:4; BOI companies can request exemptions)
• Work permits for dependants (spouses can work)
• Long-term visa support (up to 4 years, renewable)

Application Process

Step 1: Determine Your Promoted Activity

Review the BOI's published list of promoted activities to confirm your business qualifies. The list is updated annually and categorised by sector.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Compile required documents including business plan, financial projections, technology description, Thai employment plan, and training programme.

Step 3: Submit Application

Submit online through the BOI's e-Filing system. Applications are reviewed by the BOI's Investment Promotion Division.

Step 4: Review and Approval

The BOI evaluates applications within 40-90 working days depending on the investment size. Projects over THB 750 million require Board-level approval. Smaller projects are approved at the Secretary General level.

Step 5: Accept the Promotion Certificate

Once approved, you receive a Promotion Certificate specifying your incentive package, conditions, and timelines. You must accept the certificate and begin operations within the specified timeframe.

Step 6: Ongoing Compliance

BOI-promoted companies must submit annual reports on revenue, employment, training, and investment. Non-compliance can result in incentive revocation.

How Pertama Partners Can Help

Pertama Partners delivers BOI-eligible AI training programmes for companies investing in Thailand. Our training is designed to qualify for the 200% training expense deduction and helps companies meet BOI's competitiveness enhancement criteria for additional CIT exemption years.

We assist organisations with:

• Designing AI training programmes that meet BOI qualifying criteria
• Structuring training investments to maximise the 200% tax deduction
• Providing documentation for BOI annual compliance reporting
• Connecting companies with the Department of Skill Development for training registration
• Deploying foreign AI trainers under BOI work permit facilitation

Contact us to discuss how BOI incentives can significantly reduce the cost of AI training and technology investment in Thailand.