Opening a restaurant, café or bar in Bangkok means dealing with several authorities: the district office for food hygiene, the Excise Department for alcohol, the police for entertainment venues, and the Department of Business Development if foreigners own the company. This guide explains which licence covers what, and in what order to apply.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules are applied by local offices and can change. For lawyers, accountants and licensing firms, see the legal and finance directory.
Step 0: the company and ownership#
Most restaurants and bars run by foreigners operate through a Thai limited company. See our guide to registering a company in Thailand.
Restaurant and food and drink businesses fall under List 3(19) of the Foreign Business Act: "restaurant businesses" that foreigners may not operate without a licence. In practice:
- a company that is majority Thai-owned is not a "foreigner" under the Act and does not need a Foreign Business Licence;
- a company that is majority foreign-owned needs a Foreign Business Licence (FBL), unless an exemption applies, for example under the US Treaty of Amity or BOI promotion.
Using Thai nominee shareholders to get around this rule is illegal. Structure the company properly from the start.
Licence 1: food establishment licence or notification#
Under the Public Health Act B.E. 2535 (1992) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's food establishment ordinance of B.E. 2565 (2022), a place that sells prepared food or drink needs one of two documents:
| Premises size | What you need |
|---|---|
| Over 200 m² | Food establishment licence |
| 200 m² or less | Notification certificate |
- Where to apply: the district office (khet) for the area where the premises is, or online through the BMA One Stop Service.
- Fee: up to 4,500 THB a year, depending on size.
- Time: the district should decide within 30 days, according to the government information portal.
- Inspection: a public health officer may inspect the premises: kitchen layout, drainage, storage, pest control, toilets and staff hygiene.
Typical documents include the applicant's ID or company documents, the lease or proof of the right to use the premises, a location map and floor plan, and health certificates for food handlers. Ask the district office for its current checklist before you apply.
Licence 2: liquor licence (Excise Department)#
Selling any alcoholic drink, including beer, requires a liquor licence from the Excise Department. In Bangkok, you apply at the Area Excise Office for your district.
- Licence types: there are several classes of liquor sales licence, from T1 to T7, depending on the type and volume of sale. Restaurants and bars selling for consumption on the premises usually need one of the retail classes. Ask the excise office which applies to your business.
- Validity: liquor licences expire on 31 December each year.
- Renewal: applications for renewal open from October, according to the Excise Department's guidance.
- Display: the licence must be displayed at the premises.
Selling alcohol without a licence, or after a licence has lapsed, is an offence. Diarise the October renewal.
When you may sell alcohol#
A Royal Gazette notice reported by the Nation in May 2026 sets the general alcohol sale hours at 11:00 to 24:00. The exceptions include:
- licensed entertainment venues, which may sell during their own legal opening hours;
- hotels;
- international airport terminals;
- designated event areas.
Other rules also apply, including bans on sales to people under 20 and on sales on certain religious holidays and election days. Check announcements before each holiday.
Licence 3: entertainment place licence#
Bars with live music, DJs, dancing or shows, and venues such as nightclubs and karaoke bars, may be "entertainment places" under the Entertainment Place Act B.E. 2509 (1966). In Bangkok, entertainment place licences are issued by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. See the text of the Act on the Department of Provincial Administration site.
- Zoning: entertainment places are allowed only in certain zones, set by Royal Decree. Check the zone before you sign a lease.
- Closing times: licensed entertainment venues generally close at 2am. Venues in designated zones may open until 4am, according to the Nation.
- Conditions: licences carry conditions on age limits, noise, safety and staff.
An ordinary restaurant that plays background music does not usually need this licence. A bar that wants to stay open past midnight, or to host live entertainment, should take advice before committing to premises.
Other permits and registrations#
Depending on your business, you may also need:
- VAT registration, once revenue reaches the VAT threshold. See VAT registration in Thailand.
- Social security registration for staff. See social security and payroll and our guide to hiring an employee in Thailand.
- Work permits for foreign managers and chefs. See work permits in Thailand.
- A signboard tax for signs bearing the business name.
- Building and fire approvals if you change the structure, use or capacity of the premises.
- Music licensing where you play copyrighted music in public.
Taking over an existing restaurant or bar#
Many founders buy or take over a running business rather than start from an empty unit. That can save time, but licences do not always transfer with the business:
- Food licence and notification are issued to an operator for a premises. If the operator changes, ask the district office whether you need a new licence or can transfer the existing one.
- Liquor licences are issued to a named licensee. If the seller's company remains the operator (for example, you buy the shares), the licence may stay valid. If a new company takes over, it will usually need its own licence.
- Entertainment place licences are tied to the venue and the licensee, and the venue must still be in a permitted zone.
- Liabilities come with shares. If you buy the company that runs the business, you also take on its tax, social security and employment history. Have an accountant check the books first. Our guide to choosing an accountant in Bangkok covers what to ask.
Ask the seller for copies of every current licence, the last renewal receipts and the lease. Check the expiry dates before you agree a price.
The order to do things in#
- Decide the ownership structure and register the company (and FBL, if needed).
- Check the location. Confirm the zone (for a bar or entertainment venue), the building's permitted use, and whether the landlord allows a restaurant or bar.
- Sign the lease with a clause that lets you exit if licences are refused, if you can negotiate it.
- Fit out the premises to public health standards.
- Apply for the food licence or notification at the district office or online.
- Apply for the liquor licence at the excise office.
- Apply for an entertainment place licence, if you need one.
- Register staff for social security, and VAT if needed.
- Open, and diarise renewals: the food licence annually, the liquor licence by 31 December.
Common mistakes#
- Signing a lease before checking zoning, then finding that a late-night bar is not allowed there.
- Using nominee shareholders to avoid the Foreign Business Act.
- Missing the liquor licence renewal at the end of the year.
- Serving alcohol outside the permitted hours.
- Hiring foreign staff without work permits.
Frequently asked questions#
Do I need a licence to open a restaurant in Bangkok? Yes. Premises over 200 m² need a food establishment licence. Smaller premises need a notification certificate. Both are issued by the district office.
How much does a restaurant licence cost in Bangkok? The food establishment fee is up to 4,500 THB a year, depending on the size of the premises. Liquor and entertainment licences are separate.
Who issues liquor licences in Bangkok? The Excise Department, through its area excise offices. Licences expire on 31 December each year.
What time can bars sell alcohol in Bangkok? The general hours are 11:00 to 24:00. Licensed entertainment venues may sell during their legal opening hours, generally until 2am, or 4am in designated zones.
Can a foreigner own a restaurant in Thailand? A majority foreign-owned company needs a Foreign Business Licence to run a restaurant, unless an exemption applies. A majority Thai-owned company does not.
