Following the implementation of the regulation¹  governing online registration of partnerships and limited companies, the Department of Business Development (the “DBD”) has officially launched the new digital registration system called the DBD Biz Regist on 16 January 2025. As part of the transition towards having the DBD Biz Regist as the sole business registration channel in Thailand by 1 July 2025, the DBD has discontinued its online pre-reservation system for business registration since 3 February 2025 to encourage the use of the DBD Biz Regist instead of a physical system which has long been in use. 

Marking a new era by modernising and streamlining Thailand’s corporate registration process, DBD Biz Regist introduces the following key features to the digital registration process:
 

1. Fully Digital Registration – Applicants can complete the entire registration process online without the need for physical document submissions. Once the information is entered into the system, it will be generated into an application with any necessary supporting documentation and stored in the system. However, the submitted application is subject to approval by a DBD officer, thus requiring some lead time before the registration can be completed.
2. Electronic Verification – Identity verification of applicants, directors and shareholders will be conducted through electronic means which aims to enhance security and prevent fraudulent registrations. To start the online registration process, an applicant must first create an account on the DBD Biz Regist website and verify the identity through one of the following methods:
   (i) DBD e-service application; (ii) ThaiD application; (iii) NDID system²; or (iv) in-person verification with the registrar at the Department of Business Development.
3. E-Signature Supports – The system supports e-signature, allowing an applicant to sign registration documents digitally rather than needing to sign in person. After the application is submitted through the platform and approved by the DBD officer, the system will generate a consent form requiring an applicant to: (i) physically sign and upload a scanned document to the DBD Biz Regist system; or (ii) digitally sign (i.e. e-signature) via (a) the DBD e-service application, (b) ThaiD application, or (c) the NDID system.
4. Real-Time Status Updates – Applicants can monitor and track their registration application status in real-time through the DBD Biz Regist portal.

The DBD Biz Regist particularly benefits startups and foreign investors by reducing complicated and time-consuming administrative processes, which can be burdensome and may deter business registration. The new online corporate registration process aims to reduce errors in information entry by guiding users through standardised digital forms and validation processes and minimise mistakes commonly found in manual submissions such as using an outdated application form or incomplete supporting documents.

However, its practical implementation may create challenges for companies where registration is typically handled by in-house legal teams or legal representatives. Given the system requires personal identity verification through methods such as the DBD e-service application, ThaiD application or NDID system, these requirements can create obstacles for legal representatives managing filings on behalf of the company’s executives, as they may not have direct access to the necessary authentication methods. As such, the registration process may require additional steps or workarounds. 

While the new system aims to enhance efficiency, one key difference from the past practice is the processing period. After submitting the application package through the DBD Biz Regist, the DBD officer will take a few days to review, provide comments and, where appropriate, approve the application. In contrast, in-person registration at the DBD office could typically be completed on the same day of submission, provided there were no issues or further details required by the DBD officers reviewing the application. 

Currently, the DBD still allows walk-in registrations at its offices which can still facilitate the same-day registration or a fixed target closing date for an M&A transaction. However, daily slots are highly limited making it difficult to ensure same-day registration. Starting from 1 July 2025, corporate registrations for partnerships and limited companies will be conducted fully online via DBD Biz Regist. In this case, it remains to be seen whether any alternative methods will be introduced by the DBD to facilitate same-day registration.

As Thailand moves towards a fully digital business environment, entrepreneurs and corporate entities are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the DBD Biz Regist to fully benefit from the government's streamlined online services.

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¹    The Rule of the Office of the Central Company and Partnership Registration on the Partnership and Company Registration via the Digital Juristic Person Registration System (DBD Biz Regist) B.E. 2568 
²    NDID system is a digital identity verification system in Thailand that securely authenticates users through trusted institutions, such as banks and government agencies.


This document is solely intended to provide an update on recent development in Thailand legislation and is not purported to provide a legal opinion, nor a legal advice to any person.