How to Check a Thai Company is Legitimate

March 11, 2020 - Reading time: 8 minutes
Updated: May 30, 2025

We’ve encountered numerous instances where individuals set up websites falsely claiming to operate legitimate businesses from Thailand. These scammers often present themselves as exporters of in-demand goods such as tyres, used engines, vehicle parts, rubber products, metals, rice, paper, or textiles. After receiving partial payment for a shipment, they disappear with your money. Some invent new excuses to request more funds before vanishing completely.

Once fraud is committed, there’s usually very little that can be done unless proper checks were done beforehand. These individuals often provide fake documents and use mule bank accounts to receive funds, making them difficult to trace. This type of scam is widespread and affects people worldwide trying to import from Thailand.

Scammers frequently claim to be based in Thailand, though they may actually operate from another country. Once you’ve sent funds via bank transfer—whether for tyres, vehicle parts, industrial goods or agricultural products—recovering them is extremely difficult. Verifying that you’re dealing with a legitimate Thai company before making payment is the best way to protect yourself. Even basic due diligence can save you from serious losses.

How to Check if a Company in Thailand is Legit for Free

If you’re planning to buy or import from Thailand, especially in high-risk sectors like automotive, manufacturing or agriculture, here are a few basic checks you can do on your own before paying:

1. Check Client Testimonials and Reviews: Search online for independent reviews. Platforms like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or industry forums can help. Be wary of fake reviews—especially those that are vague, overly positive, or repeated across websites.
2. Request Official Documentation: Ask for a business licence, proforma invoice, or company profile. But be warned: scammers often create fake documents that look highly professional. It can be hard to tell what’s real unless you know what to look for. We specialise in identifying forgeries and verifying company paperwork.
3. Compare Information Carefully: Make sure details such as the company name, registration number, address, and contact information match across all documents and emails. Inconsistencies are a red flag. Our investigators can verify if the business is officially registered and whether its paperwork matches what’s on file with Thai authorities.
4. Conduct a Site Visit: The most reliable way to verify a supplier is by physically inspecting their location. If you’re importing large quantities of tyres, rubber, metals, rice, or similar goods, this step is vital. We carry out site visits anywhere in Thailand and confirm that the company exists at the address and operates as claimed.

Professional Thai Company Verification Services

While free checks are useful for spotting obvious scams, professional fraudsters can fool even seasoned buyers. Here's how our services give you stronger protection:

1. Company Registration Check (5,000 THB): We verify the company's registration with Thai authorities and translate key information into English. You’ll receive official details like registered name, directors, address, registered capital, industry code and financial filings—delivered in PDF.
2. Site Visit Reports: Ideal for confirming factories or warehouses, especially when buying vehicle parts, heavy equipment, rubber sheets or rice in bulk. We physically visit the business premises and provide a detailed report.
3. Background Checks: We investigate the people behind the business, not just the company name. If someone has a track record of fraud or involvement with multiple fake businesses, we’ll flag it before you commit funds.

We regularly uncover fake documents like these. Don’t rely on appearance—rely on verification.

Verification Pricing

Company checks start at 5,000 THB, including a full English report on the company’s registration and financials. For more complex cases, our basic due diligence service starts at 6,000 THB and may vary depending on what's involved. If you’re sending money to a supplier in Thailand, this small fee can save you from a costly scam.

Site visits are quoted separately based on location. Contact us with the company’s full address and we’ll provide a free, no-obligation quote.

Common Thai Import Scams

We’ve seen fraud in nearly every sector: counterfeit exporters claiming to sell tyres, vehicle parts, rice, paper rolls, steel scrap, latex gloves, seafood, and more. These scams often involve fake proforma invoices and counterfeit company seals. Many sites look professional and use stolen photos from real businesses.

Ask yourself: do you know who you’re really dealing with? We can confirm whether the business is truly registered, if their address is valid, and whether any of their documents have been altered or forged.

How to Spot a Scam Thai Exporter

Scam exporters often avoid giving full details or use free email addresses. If you ask for company registration documents and only receive a PDF with unclear seals or signatures, that’s a red flag. Ask for the Thai company number and let us confirm it for you.

A proper background check and physical site visit is the best way to confirm if a supplier is real. If they’re asking for upfront payment but refusing to share proper documentation or references, walk away—or call us first.

Why Due Diligence Matters

In the past 12 months, 74% of the companies we investigated turned out to be high-risk or outright scams. Many clients were about to transfer money for orders of tyres, scrap metal, paper or vehicle parts—only to discover the company didn’t exist, or the documents were faked. Our checks saved them from serious financial loss.

Thai scammers can operate across all industries. Some even run multiple scam websites at once. The best way to protect yourself is by verifying everything before payment.

Get in Touch

We work with clients around the world to confirm the legitimacy of Thai companies. Whether you’re importing tyres, rice, vehicle parts, or any other product, our investigation services help ensure you're dealing with a real business—not a fake exporter.

Our services often save clients far more than they cost. We confirm if a company is registered, verify documents, visit their offices or warehouses, and report findings clearly in English. We can also check if they operate from a real location or just a rented mailbox.

Our team covers all of Thailand with regional investigators. If you’re unsure about a Thai supplier, get in touch and we’ll recommend the best solution for your case. Quotes are free, and turnaround is quick.