4 Easy Steps for Investors to Obtain a Factory Permit in Thailand

          Obtaining a factory operating permit in Thailand involves crucial steps and details, especially for factories falling under the Factory Act B.E. 2535 (1992) and its amendments.

Factory Types Classified by Control Level

1. Type 1 Factories : No permit required. You only need to comply with ministerial regulations and specific requirements.
2. Type 2 Factories : No permit required, but you must notify officials before starting operations and adhere to ministerial regulations.
3. Type 3 Factories : You must obtain a Factory Operating License (Form Ror.Ngor. 4) from the Department of Industrial Works or the Provincial Industrial Office.

Factors Used for Classification

          The classification of factories depends on several factors, primarily based on the Ministerial Regulation on Factory Operations B.E. 2563 (2020)

1. Type of Business : This is the main factor for classification, as per the Annex to the Ministerial Regulation. Examples include food production, chemicals, electrical appliances, garment manufacturing, etc.
2. Machine Horsepower : Measured by the total horsepower of machinery used in the production process.

• Using machinery exceeding 5 horsepower may classify your factory as Type 2 or 3.
• Higher horsepower generally means stricter control.

1. Number of Employees : Having 7 or more workers affects the classification. A larger workforce often indicates larger production, requiring more control.
2. Production Volume or Raw Material Usage : Measured by the daily input of raw materials or daily output of finished products. Higher volumes tend to lead to Type 3 classification (higher environmental risk).
3. Environmental/Safety Risk : This considers risks such as chemical use, disturbing odors, loud noise, smoke, flammability, etc. High-risk operations require government control (Type 3).
4. Factory Location : Some businesses can only be established in industrial zones or areas permitted by urban planning. Location can affect approval for Type 2 or 3 factories.

How to check : Refer to the Department of Industrial Works website.

Steps to Apply for a Type 3 Factory Permit (Ror.Ngor. 4)

1. Prepare Documents

Gather all necessary paperwork, which typically includes:

• Application Form Ror.Ngor. 3
• Company certificate (if applicable)
• Map showing the factory location
• Details of machinery
• Production process details
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report (if applicable)
• Land ownership documents or lease agreement
• Pollution prevention system design documents (if applicable)

2. Submit Your Application

Apply to the Department of Industrial Works or the Provincial Industrial Office. In some areas, online submission is also available.

3. Official Review and Consideration

Officials will:

• Check the completeness of your documents.
• Conduct an on-site inspection of the proposed location.
• Assess environmental and community impacts (if applicable).

4. Approval and Issuance of Permit

If all legal criteria are met, you will receive your Ror.Ngor. 4 permit. This process typically takes about 60-90 days.

          Please note : Some factory types (e.g., food, chemical, recycling) may have additional specific requirements under relevant laws. If your factory is located within an industrial estate or zone, you might also need to obtain permits from the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT).