How to win government contracts and tenders in Thailand

Comprehensive Guide for Companies Seeking Government Contracts in Thailand

Thailand’s public procurement landscape presents significant opportunities, aligning closely with national priorities including sustainability initiatives, digital transformation, and stringent anti-corruption reforms.

Regulatory Framework Governing Public Procurement

Legal Foundations

Thailand’s primary legislation for public procurement includes the Public Contract Act No. 3 of 1987 and its amendments. The 2017 Procurement Regulations (BE 2560) place greater emphasis on efficiency through e-procurement platforms and enhance penalties against bid-rigging and corruption.

International Commitments

As an ASEAN member and party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Thailand follows harmonised international standards facilitating foreign participation, particularly in priority sectors like renewable energy infrastructure.

Registration Requirements & Documentation

Entity Establishment

Foreign enterprises must register locally through one of two routes:

• Subsidiaries: Require corporate statutes, shareholder data certified by Commercial Registration Department, VAT certificates (Phor Phor 20), withholding tax declarations (Phor Ngor Dor 1), and, where applicable, factory licenses.
• Branch Offices: Require audited financial statements translated into Thai and Non-Immigrant Visas with associated work permits for directors and staff engaged in operations.

Sector-Specific Licensing

Additional sector-specific approvals include:

• Digital Lending: Personal loan providers with annual interest ≥15% need licensing from Bank of Thailand and Ministry of Finance.
• Renewable Energy: Contractors seeking Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) must demonstrate technical capabilities and achieve pre-qualification from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

Navigating Competitive Tendering Processes

Bid Solicitation Channels

Public tenders are advertised on platforms including:

• Centralized portals (e.g., National Water Supply & Drainage Board, AHK Thailand)
• Agency-specific platforms (e.g., Department of Marine and Coastal Resources)

Participation typically involves nominal fees (approximately THB 100–500) to access detailed documentation upon verifying eligibility.

Proposal Submission & Evaluation

Responsive proposals generally include:

• Separate original and copy documentation clearly indicating technical specifications
• Bank guarantees as stipulated by individual tender requirements

Evaluations occur publicly, ensuring transparency and accountability, consistent with legal regulations.

Compliance with Anti-Corruption Measures

Integrity & Accountability Measures

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) conducts routine audits, identifying procurement vulnerabilities particularly within innovation-focused contracts prone to collusion or conflicts of interest. Thailand’s overall improvement in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) underscores continual reform efforts.

• Companies are advised to adopt ISO 37001-certified anti-bribery management systems and conduct rigorous subcontractor due diligence.
• Non-compliance penalties include fines exceeding THB 500,000 and potential imprisonment per the Penal Code Sections 157–159.

Whistleblower Protections

The amended Organic Act on Counter Corruption (2018) ensures anonymous reporting channels through NACC, encouraging compliance and ethical practices in alignment with OECD guidelines adopted by Thailand in 2021.

Leveraging Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy Transition

Thailand's revised Power Development Plan (PDP) aims to source at least 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Recent policy shifts include direct Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), allowing companies independent procurement from renewable energy providers using EGAT’s grid.

Priority renewable projects include:

• Solar farms (approx. 2,368 MW additional capacity)
• Wind power projects (approx. 1,000 MW)
• Biomass facilities with expedited environmental assessments

Climate Resilience & Adaptation Opportunities

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand periodically advertises consultancy contracts targeting climate adaptation and resilience strategies. Applicants to such tenders often require demonstrated competencies in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) development and access to multilateral climate finance from bodies like Green Climate Fund (GCF) or Adaptation Fund (AF).

Conclusion & Strategic Recommendations

Companies wishing to secure government contracts in Thailand must institutionalize rigorous governance procedures surpassing minimum statutory norms, fostering trust with procuring entities and transparency watchdogs. Recommended strategies include:

• Local partnership formation to navigate bureaucratic requirements efficiently.
• Utilizing available market intelligence and tender updates through entities such as the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC).
• Engaging effectively in pre-bid conferences to clarify ambiguities related to scope and compliance specifications.
• Embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles proactively into operational models, positioning bidders favourably in line with evolving global and national priorities.

[1] https://solarquarter.com/2025/02/17/thailand-to-introduce-direct-ppas-for-renewable-energy-procurement/
[2] http://www.waterboard.lk/tenders/
[3] https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2958003/thai-finance-minister-supports-more-us-imports-to-reduce-trade-surplus
[4] https://www.lloydsbanktrade.com/en/market-potential/thailand/trade-profile
[5] https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-business/required-documents-registering-a-company
[6] https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/15987130
[7] https://thailand.ahk.de/en/business-info/bidding-announcements
[8] https://corporate.ethiopianairlines.com/media/Tender-Documents
[9] https://www.dmcr.go.th
[10] https://www.nyc.gov/site/mocs/passport/getting-started-with-passport.page
[11] https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/743913
[12] https://www.osc.ny.gov/files/procurement/pdf/rfp-0001.pdf
[13] https://www.nacc.go.th/english/categorydetail/2019122712514151207005112EK12853/20250211161442
[14] https://uncareer.net/vacancy/ic-national-climate-change-advisor-thai-national-only-764613
[15] https://www.adb.org/documents/procurement-staff-instructions
[16] https://www.rdpb.go.th/EN/Download/song-of-ourking-c125/%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5-v5697