Thailand has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s leading destinations for foreign investment, particularly in technology-driven and innovation-focused industries. Through the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), the government offers a comprehensive framework of tax and non-tax incentives designed to attract businesses that contribute to the country’s economic transformation and digital development.

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Among the most attractive BOI-promoted sectors are Digital Industries, Creative Industries, and High-Value Services. These categories cover a broad range of activities, including software development, artificial intelligence solutions, cloud services, digital platforms, animation, game development, engineering design, research and development (R&D), and international business services.

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For foreign entrepreneurs and investors, obtaining BOI promotion may offer significant advantages, including corporate income tax exemptions, import duty exemptions, simplified work permit procedures, and, in many cases, the ability to operate a company with 100% foreign ownership.

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BOI-Promoted activities within digital, creative industries and high-value services

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The BOI's Digital, Creative Industries, and High-Value Services category encompasses a broad range of business activities aimed at supporting Thailand's transition toward a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. Eligible activities include:

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1. Digital industry

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This sector covers businesses involved in the development and operation of digital technologies and infrastructure, including:

• Digital technology development
• Software development and digital platforms;
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions;
• Data centers and cloud services;
• Digital infrastructure projects;
• Businesses supporting the digital ecosystem.

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2. Smart city development

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Projects contributing to the development of smart cities through the integration of digital technologies, intelligent infrastructure, and sustainable urban solutions may also qualify for BOI promotion.

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3. Creative industries

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The creative industries category includes businesses engaged in:

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• Product design and development;
• Production of technical and functional fibers;
• Textile manufacturing and processing;
• Garment and household textile production;
• Footwear and leather goods manufacturing;
• Jewelry and gem production;
• Sports equipment manufacturing;
• Musical instrument production;
• Furniture manufacturing;
• Toy manufacturing;
• Printing and related creative production activities.

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4. Film industry

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BOI incentives are available for companies operating in:

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• Motion picture production;
• Film production support services;
• Film production zones and specialized movie industry facilities.

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5. Professional and high-value services

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The category also includes a wide range of knowledge-intensive and professional services, such as:

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• Professional consulting services;
• Research and Development (R&D);
• Engineering design services;
• Scientific laboratories;
• Calibration services;
• Product sterilization services;
• Human resource development and training services.

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6. Tourism industry

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Businesses promoting tourism or providing services that support the tourism sector may qualify under specific BOI-promoted activities.

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7. Logistics industry

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Eligible logistics-related activities include:

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• Mass transit systems;
• Transportation of bulk goods;
• Loading and unloading facilities;
• Logistics service centers.

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Through these categories, the BOI seeks to attract investments that contribute to technological innovation, creative excellence, professional expertise, and sustainable economic growth in Thailand.

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BOI requirements and conditions: practical example

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However, inclusion of a particular activity on the BOI-promoted activities list does not automatically entitle an applicant to investment incentives. For each activity category, the BOI establishes specific eligibility requirements, qualification criteria, and project implementation conditions that must be satisfied to obtain investment promotion.

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These requirements may relate to the minimum investment amount, the number and qualifications of personnel, the location of operations, the technological component of the project, research and development (R&D) expenditures, and other criteria determined by the BOI depending on the nature of the activity concerned.

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To better understand how the BOI promotion framework operates in practice, let us examine the eligibility requirements applicable to "Development of Software, Digital Platform, or Digital Content" (Activity 8.1.1), which falls under the Digital Technology category and represents one of the most popular BOI-promoted activities among foreign investors in the technology sector.

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Requirements and conditions

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1. The investment capital for each project must not be less than 1,500,000 baht per year, calculated based on salary expenses for Thai information technology personnel who are additionally employed after promotion and/or temporarily employed Thai information technology personnel.
2. The project must include software development processes, digital platforms, or digital content in Thailand, as stipulated by the Office.
3. Investment promotion of this activity does not include retail and wholesale sales of all product types.
4. The corporate income tax exemption cap will be annually determined at 100% of the actual expenditures incurred in the year of application for the incentive, as follows:
5. The project is allowed to use existing machinery.
6. The project must meet the full operation deadline within 12 months after the issuance of the investment promotion certificate. No extension of the full operation deadline will be granted.
7. No extension of the machinery importation deadline will be granted.

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Incentives available for the activity “development of software, digital platform, or digital content” (Activity 8.1.1)

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According to the Investment Promotion Guide 2025, the activity “Development of Software, Digital Platform, or Digital Content” (Activity 8.1.1) is classified under Category A2, making it eligible for a range of both tax and non-tax incentives offered by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI).

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1. Tax incentives

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One of the key advantages available to companies receiving BOI promotion under this activity is an eight-year Corporate Income Tax (CIT) exemption. This incentive allows companies to significantly reduce their tax burden during the early stages of business development and allocate more resources toward scaling operations, product development, and market expansion.

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In addition, promoted companies may benefit from:

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• Exemption from import duties on machinery used for the promoted project;
• Exemption from import duties on raw materials and essential materials used for research and development (R&D) activities;
• Exemption from import duties on raw materials used in the production of goods intended for export.

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These incentives substantially reduce operational costs and support the growth of high-technology and innovation-driven projects in Thailand.

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2. Non-tax incentives

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In addition to tax benefits, the BOI grants a number of important non-tax privileges that are particularly valuable for foreign investors and technology-oriented businesses.

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In particular, a promoted company may obtain:

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• permission to employ foreign specialists, experts, and executives;
• facilitation in obtaining long-term visas and work permits for foreign personnel;
• the right to own land for the implementation of the promoted project, even where the company is foreign-owned;
• the right to remit funds abroad in foreign currency, including profits, dividends, and other investment-related payments;
• facilitation for foreign investors entering Thailand to explore investment opportunities or implement investment projects.

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3. Additional competitiveness enhancement incentives

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The BOI also provides companies with a mechanism to obtain additional tax incentives for investing in innovation, technology, and human capital development.

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Additional incentives may be granted where a company incurs expenditures related to:

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• research and development (R&D);
• technology and innovation activities;
• employee training and human resource development;
• local supplier development and the strengthening of domestic value chains in Thailand.

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Subject to compliance with the relevant BOI criteria, a company may receive an additional Corporate Income Tax exemption period of up to five years beyond the standard incentive period.

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As a result, for Activity 8.1.1, the total Corporate Income Tax exemption period may reach up to thirteen years, making this activity one of the most attractive BOI-promoted categories for technology companies, startups, SaaS providers, software developers, and digital service businesses seeking to establish or expand their presence in Thailand and the wider ASEAN region.

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Conclusion

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BOI promotion within the Digital, Creative Industries, and High-Value Services category offers significant opportunities for foreign investors seeking to establish or expand technology-driven, creative, and innovation-focused businesses in Thailand.

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This promotion scheme is particularly attractive for companies engaged in software development, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, digital content creation, design, research and development, and other high-value services. By combining tax incentives, regulatory advantages, and government support for innovation, Thailand provides a favorable environment for business growth and long-term investment.

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For companies considering expansion into Southeast Asia, obtaining BOI promotion can serve as an effective tool for reducing operational costs, attracting international talent, and building a sustainable presence in one of the world's most dynamic and rapidly growing regions.

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