Thailand Removes 89,000 Inactive Companies from Registry

Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce is deregistering inactive firms to enhance corporate registry accuracy, prevent fraud, and strengthen public trust, with nearly 90,000 firms removed in three years.

Key Points

• The Ministry of Commerce in Thailand is conducting a corporate clean-up campaign, targeting inactive firms to update the corporate registry and mitigate fraud risks. A nationwide review aims to deregister dormant companies and partnerships in 2025.
• Over the past three years, approximately 89,800 legal entities have been struck off for inactivity, with 27,900 in 2022, 29,000 in 2023, and 32,900 by early 2024, maintaining around 928,300 active registrations.
• This initiative enhances trust in the business registry, reduces fraudulent use of defunct company names, and aims to foster a transparent, secure environment for future investments.

The Ministry of Commerce in Thailand has been proactively addressing the issue of inactive firms as part of a corporate clean-up campaign that has seen nearly 90,000 legal entities struck from the corporate registry over the past three years. This initiative aims to enhance the reliability and accuracy of the national business database while mitigating the risks associated with fraudulent activities stemming from dormant companies.

In preparation for a thorough nationwide assessment scheduled for 2025, the Ministry is focused on the deregistration of inactive partnerships and companies. This process entails the official removal of firms that have ceased business operations, failed to submit financial reports to the Department of Business Development, or have inadequately completed the liquidation process following dissolution notifications. The presence of these inactive firms not only muddies the integrity of the business registry but also misleads the public and invites potential misuse for fraudulent purposes.

Legally, the registrar has the authority to deregister companies that are no longer operational. Upon removal, these entities immediately lose their corporate status; however, the responsibilities of individuals associated with these firms—including managing partners, shareholders, directors, and managers—remain enforceable as if the entity were still active. Stakeholders can appeal to restore a deregistered company within ten years of its removal, underlining the legal and financial obligations that persist beyond corporate lifespans.

To date, deregistrations have increased steadily, with 27,900 in 2022, followed by 29,000 in 2023, and peaking at 32,900 in 2024. As of February 2025, Thailand is reported to have approximately 928,300 active registered legal entities. This comprehensive effort by the government not only aims to bolster investor confidence and public trust in the business registry system but also seeks to create a transparent and secure environment conducive to future investment.