Does anyone own a business in thailand and has a thai partner?

i've been through this with a small import business near ekkamai. biggest thing nobody tells you is the 51/49 split doesn't protect you as much as you think, your thai partner can still make major decisions without you unless the shareholder agreement is really specific. we got a lawyer from sunbelt asia and they walked us through the structure properly, cost about 40k baht for the setup but saved us from a nightmare scenario later. also worth considering a holding company structure if you're bringing in more than a couple million baht, it gives you more control through multiple layers.

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yeah i had a small cafe with my thai wife for a few years. it worked out fine but only because we were already married for a long time before that. honestly if you're not married or super tight with the person, i'd think twice. the visa stuff alone is a headache and the partner has to be on every single document.

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not a business owner myself but i know a few farang who've done it. the key is finding a thai partner who actually contributes more than just their name on paper. a buddy in bangkok had his gf as partner for a restaurant on sukhumvit 38 and it got messy fast when they broke up. most people i've talked to say to get a lawyer who specializes in foreign business ownership, not just any lawyer. the BOI route is different but worth looking into if you qualify.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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