TAT License
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) license required to operate as tour operator or travel agent in Thailand.
GolfOkay Status
✓ ACTIVE AND OPERATIONAL
Tan’s company has TAT license. No regulatory blockers to processing packages from day 1.
What It Allows
Sell travel packages: Act as seller-of-record for golf + transport + accommodation bundles
Accept payments: Directly from customers (not as intermediary/referral)
Issue bookings: Confirmations and e-vouchers in company name
Operate transport: For tourist purposes (airport pickup, course transfers, etc.)
Work with suppliers: Negotiate directly with courses, hotels, transport providers
Why This Changed Everything
Original assumption (WRONG): Docs initially assumed license needed to be applied for. Built entire B2B-first SaaS strategy around “can’t process packages until license approved.”
Reality: License already active. Can sell packages immediately.
Strategic pivot: From “sell SaaS to agents while waiting for license” → “sell packages directly, capture full commission margin”
Economics impact:
- B2B SaaS: 3K MRR in 90 days
- Direct packages: ~16K revenue in 90 days
TAT license being active = direct package sales from day 1 = 5x faster revenue
License Requirements (General)
Ownership structure:
- 51% Thai nationals (majority)
- Thai managing director required
- Minimum 2 Thai directors on board
Deposits:
- Domestic: ฿50,000
- Inbound (foreign tourists): ฿100,000
- Outbound (Thai tourists abroad): ฿200,000
Office:
- Physical location required
- Lease ≥2 years
- Address registered with TAT
Processing time:
- Application: 60 days typical
- Cannot operate until approved
- Fines for unlicensed operation: ฿100K-500K
Renewal: Annual, requires proof of insurance + updated business docs
GolfOkay’s License Scope
Inbound license: Confirmed (handles foreign tourists coming to Thailand for golf)
What this covers:
- Korean, Japanese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Chinese tourists
- Expats living in Thailand (treated as inbound for tour purposes)
- Package tours including golf, transport, accommodation, activities
Outbound license: TBD (would need ฿200K deposit if offering Thai golfers trips to Vietnam/Malaysia)
Domestic license: Likely have it (฿50K deposit) for Thai citizen packages
Compliance Requirements
Insurance: Liability insurance covering tourist activities (golf, transport)
Record keeping: Customer contracts, booking confirmations, payment records (7 years)
Safety standards: Transport vehicles must meet DOT requirements
Tax reporting: VAT (7%), withholding tax on supplier payments
Consumer protection: Refund policy, cancellation terms must comply with Thai consumer law
Operational Flexibility
Revenue model: License allows direct commission from courses + markup on packages
Payment handling: Can accept PromptPay, credit cards, bank transfers directly
Subcontracting: Can work with aggregators as inventory sources while being seller-of-record
Partnership structure: Investor’s transport network operates under same license umbrella
Risks & Limitations
Regulatory changes: TAT can revoke license if compliance issues found
Ownership lock: 51% Thai ownership requirement can’t be circumvented (preference shares don’t change legal control)
Geographic scope: License valid for Thailand operations only (outbound requires separate license)
Activity restrictions: License may not cover all activities (e.g., adventure sports, diving) – need to verify scope
Competitive Context
Golfasian: Has full inbound license, 22+ years operation
Golfsavers: Operates as booking platform, courses are sellers-of-record (different model)
Club Thailand Card: Membership program, not tour operator (different regulatory category)
GolfOkay advantage: Licensed + tech platform + operational flexibility = can do both direct packages AND tech-enabled booking
Questions to Validate with Tan
- Exact license type & number
- Insurance coverage amounts & providers
- Expiry date & renewal status
- Geographic restrictions (if any)
- Activity scope (golf only, or also other tourism activities?)
- Historical compliance (any warnings/issues with TAT?)
- Can CTO be added as director? (foreign director allowed with Thai majority)
See Also
- unit_economics - Revenue model assumes licensed operation
- commission_model - How license enables direct package sales
- transport_attach_rate - Transport services covered under license
- investor_pitch - Regulatory status as key asset in strategy