Employer of Record (EOR) Services in Thailand
An Employer of Record (EOR) in Thailand is a local company that legally employs staff on your behalf. Pinnacle X Outsourcing acts as the legal employer of your team in Thailand, whether or not you have a Thai entity. We handle contracts, payroll, statutory compliance, HR support and work permits, while you stay in control of your team’s daily work and performance.
You may also see this service called PEO (Professional Employer Organization). Strictly, a PEO shares employment with a company that already has its own Thai entity, while an EOR is the full legal employer. Pinnacle X works as your EOR, so you have one simple way to employ your team in Thailand legally.
Why companies use an Employer of Record in Thailand
Companies use an EOR in Thailand when they need people on the ground, but setting up or using their own Thai company is not practical yet. The most common reasons are:
- Entering Thailand without a local company. Build a team and test the market before committing to company registration and capital.
- Hiring while your Thai company is being set up. Start work while your company registration or BOI promotion is in progress, then move staff to your own entity when it is ready.
- Employing one key person or a small team. A country manager, engineer or project team, where running a full entity is not worth the cost.
- Employing foreign staff in Thailand. Work permits and visas arranged under our employment, subject to Thai requirements.
- Converting contractors into employees. Give long-term freelancers a proper employment contract with Social Security coverage, and reduce the risk of misclassification.
- Keeping an employee who moves to Thailand. Retain a valued team member who relocates, without opening a company for one person.
- Project-based or fixed-term work. Employ staff for a defined project and close the arrangement properly when it ends.
- Acquisitions, restructuring or closing an entity. Keep employees on payroll during a transition, carve-out or wind-down of a Thai company.
- Moving employment administration off your books. Thai companies place selected employees with us to simplify HR, payroll and compliance.
What our Employer of Record service covers
Pre-employment checks (optional)
Criminal record checks through the Royal Thai Police, verification of academic credentials, and up to three professional reference checks.
Onboarding and contracts
Employment contracts that comply with the Thai Labour Protection Act, onboarding support, and optional fringe benefits administration.
Payroll and statutory compliance
Monthly payroll including allowances, bonuses and severance pay. Withholding tax (PND1, PND1K, 50 Tawi), Social Security, Student Loan Fund and other legal deductions, filed and paid on time.
Ongoing HR support
HR documents such as offer letters, promotion and warning letters, terminations and employment certificates. We answer employee questions on pay, benefits and tax, manage leave and records, and support terminations and unemployment claims.
Work visas and work permits
Applications and renewals for foreign employees.
Digital HR for your employees
Employees use our mobile app and web portal, in Thai and English, for e-Payslip, leave requests and time attendance.
Who does what
| Area | Your company | Pinnacle X |
|---|---|---|
| Legal employer in Thailand | Yes | |
| Daily work, tasks and direction | Yes | |
| Performance and role decisions | Yes | |
| Employment contracts and HR documents | Yes | |
| Payroll, tax and Social Security | Yes | |
| Work permits and visas | Yes | |
| Thai labour law compliance | Yes |
EOR or setting up a company in Thailand
| Employer of Record | Your own Thai company | |
|---|---|---|
| Thai entity needed | No | Yes |
| Time to first hire | Faster, no company set-up needed | Longer, after company registration |
| Company registration and capital | Not needed | Your responsibility |
| Payroll and compliance | Run by Pinnacle X | Your team or a provider |
| Best for | Market entry, small teams, testing demand | Long-term, larger operations |
When to set up your own Thai company instead
An EOR is not right for every situation. Your own Thai company is usually the better choice if you need to invoice Thai customers or sign local commercial contracts, receive BOI incentives in your own name, import goods or hold assets, or plan a large team for the long term. Many clients start with an EOR and move staff to their own company once it is ready; we can help plan that transition.
How it works
- Free consultation. We discuss the roles, employment terms and start dates you have in mind.
- Proposal and agreement. We confirm scope, costs and the service agreement.
- Onboarding. We issue contracts, register employees and arrange work permits where needed.
- Monthly payroll cycle. You confirm monthly changes by the cut-off date; we run payroll, pay salaries, file statutory reports and send you payroll and invoice reports.
We work with you in a shared, secure online workspace, so both teams see the latest documents and updates in real time.
Frequently asked questions
Is using an Employer of Record legal in Thailand?
Yes. The EOR is the registered employer and is responsible for meeting Thai labour, tax and Social Security obligations for the employees it employs.
Do we need a company in Thailand to use an EOR?
No. Pinnacle X is the employer, so you can hire with or without a Thai entity.
Can an EOR employ foreign nationals in Thailand?
Yes, subject to Thai work permit and visa requirements. We review each case with you before the hire.
Who manages the employee’s daily work?
You do. You direct the work and performance; we handle employment, payroll and compliance.
What is the difference between EOR and PEO in Thailand?
An EOR is the full legal employer of your staff, so you do not need a Thai entity. A PEO usually works in co-employment with a company that already has its own Thai entity, sharing HR and payroll responsibilities. In Thailand many providers use the two terms interchangeably. Pinnacle X acts as your Employer of Record: we are the legal employer and you direct the work.
Can employees move to our own Thai company later?
Yes. Many companies start with an EOR and transfer employees once their own entity is ready. We help you plan the transfer.
Can we use an EOR to convert contractors into employees?
Yes. We can employ long-term contractors on a proper Thai employment contract, with payroll, tax and Social Security handled, which reduces the risk of misclassification.
Ready to hire in Thailand? Contact Pinnacle X Outsourcing for a free consultation: [email protected]
Last updated: November 2026