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JTJB LEGAL INSIGHT – PRIVATE SCHOOL BUSINESS IN THAILAND
Thailand is one of Southeast Asia's most attractive markets for educational investment, but foreign investors face significant legal restrictions under the Private School Act B.E. 2550, including Thai majority shareholding requirements and the need for a Thai school director. To protect their commercial interests while staying compliant, foreign investors typically structure their investment through a joint venture, IP licensing arrangements, and governance mechanisms. The licensing process is managed by OPEC and takes approximately 4–6 months, after which the school becomes its own juristic person. Getting the legal structure right from the start is critical to long-term success.