BUSINESS IN THAILAND / RESOURCE
Use this glossary when discussing accounts, invoices, payroll and company records with a Thai finance team. The Thai terms are practical equivalents for the stated context, with English explanations to clarify the meaning. They are not certified translations of contracts or legislation; use the exact official form and professional translation when required.
Information reviewed 13 November 2026 · Pimaccounting
Use the term with the document and context
A familiar English label does not always identify the legal function of a Thai document. An invoice, receipt and tax invoice can serve different purposes. Ask which transaction, period, entity and form is involved rather than translating a single word in isolation.
When handing records to your accountant, preserve the original Thai title and number alongside any English description. For corporate decisions or legal instruments, have the complete document reviewed rather than relying on a glossary entry.
Records and reports
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| English | Thai | Meaning in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | การทำบัญชี | Recording transactions with supporting evidence; a foundation for reporting and tax work. |
| General ledger | บัญชีแยกประเภททั่วไป | Transactions classified by account; its balances feed the trial balance. |
| Journal entry | รายการบันทึกบัญชี | A dated accounting entry with an explanation and supporting reference. |
| Trial balance | งบทดลอง | A list of account balances used for review; balancing does not prove every entry is correct. |
| Financial statements | งบการเงิน | Formal financial reports prepared under the applicable reporting framework. |
| Statement of financial position | งบแสดงฐานะการเงิน | Assets, liabilities and equity at a specified date. |
| Profit or loss | กำไรหรือขาดทุน | The result of recognised income and expenses for a period. |
| Cash-flow statement | งบกระแสเงินสด | A report on movements in cash and cash equivalents. |
| Accounting period | รอบระยะเวลาบัญชี | The period covered by the accounts; confirm the company’s actual year-end. |
| Supporting document | เอกสารประกอบการลงบัญชี | Evidence supporting an accounting entry; retain a traceable reference. |
Balances and working capital
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| English | Thai | Meaning in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts receivable | ลูกหนี้การค้า | Amounts customers owe for recognised sales or services. |
| Accounts payable | เจ้าหนี้การค้า | Amounts owed to suppliers for purchases or services. |
| Inventory | สินค้าคงเหลือ | Goods or materials held for sale or use, subject to applicable measurement rules. |
| Fixed assets | สินทรัพย์ถาวร | Long-term assets used in the business; accounting classification requires review. |
| Depreciation | ค่าเสื่อมราคา | Allocation of a depreciable asset’s amount over its useful life. |
| Accrued expenses | ค่าใช้จ่ายค้างจ่าย | Expenses recognised before the corresponding payment. |
| Prepaid expenses | ค่าใช้จ่ายจ่ายล่วงหน้า | Payments relating to future periods, subject to the relevant recognition policy. |
| Bank reconciliation | การกระทบยอดเงินฝากธนาคาร | Explaining differences between the bank statement and the ledger. |
| Cash flow | กระแสเงินสด | Cash receipts and payments; distinct from accounting profit. |
| Related-party transaction | รายการกับบุคคลหรือกิจการที่เกี่ยวข้องกัน | A transaction involving a related person or entity under the applicable rules. |
Tax and source documents
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| English | Thai | Meaning in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Value added tax (VAT) | ภาษีมูลค่าเพิ่ม | A tax regime affecting qualifying supplies, registration, invoices and returns. |
| Output VAT | ภาษีขาย | VAT associated with taxable sales under the applicable rules. |
| Input VAT | ภาษีซื้อ | VAT on purchases; recovery depends on eligibility and documentation. |
| Withholding tax | ภาษีหัก ณ ที่จ่าย | Tax withheld and remitted by a payer where the rules require it. |
| Corporate income tax | ภาษีเงินได้นิติบุคคล | Income tax on a company or other relevant juristic entity. |
| Personal income tax | ภาษีเงินได้บุคคลธรรมดา | Income tax applying to an individual under the relevant rules. |
| Tax invoice | ใบกำกับภาษี | A regulated VAT document; not interchangeable with every commercial invoice. |
| Receipt | ใบเสร็จรับเงิน | Evidence acknowledging receipt of payment. |
| Invoice | ใบแจ้งหนี้ | A request or statement of an amount due; its tax status requires separate review. |
| Credit note | ใบลดหนี้ | A document reducing an earlier amount under the applicable commercial and tax rules. |
| Debit note | ใบเพิ่มหนี้ | A document increasing an earlier amount under the applicable rules. |
| Withholding tax certificate | หนังสือรับรองการหักภาษี ณ ที่จ่าย | Evidence of withholding; reconcile it to the relevant transaction and return. |
| Tax return | แบบแสดงรายการภาษี | A declaration submitted for a specified tax and period. |
| Tax identification number | เลขประจำตัวผู้เสียภาษีอากร | Identifier used for tax administration; check the entity and branch particulars. |
| Stamp duty | อากรแสตมป์ | Duty applying to specified instruments, subject to the relevant schedule. |
Company and people
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| English | Thai | Meaning in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Limited company | บริษัทจำกัด | A company form with its own registration and governance requirements. |
| Director | กรรมการ | A company office distinct from shareholder ownership or employee status. |
| Authorised director | กรรมการผู้มีอำนาจลงนาม | A director authorised to sign under the company’s registered authority. |
| Shareholder | ผู้ถือหุ้น | A holder of shares; ownership evidence and the company register matter. |
| Registered capital | ทุนจดทะเบียน | Capital stated in the registered corporate records. |
| Paid-up capital | ทุนชำระแล้ว | Capital actually paid on shares; not the same as cash currently in the bank. |
| Shareholder register | สมุดทะเบียนผู้ถือหุ้น | The company’s ownership register; distinct from a filed shareholder list. |
| Share certificate | ใบหุ้น | A share-ownership document maintained within the legal corporate process. |
| Articles of association | ข้อบังคับบริษัท | Rules governing the company, read with applicable law. |
| Memorandum of association | หนังสือบริคณห์สนธิ | A constitutional registration document; distinct from the articles. |
| Annual general meeting | การประชุมสามัญผู้ถือหุ้นประจำปี | The annual shareholder meeting and its associated approval and filing process. |
| Payroll | บัญชีเงินเดือน | The calculation and records of employee pay and related deductions. |
| Social security | ประกันสังคม | The statutory social-security system; separate from personal income tax. |
| Work permit | ใบอนุญาตทำงาน | Work authorisation; a visa alone does not necessarily authorise employment. |
| Registered office | สำนักงานแห่งใหญ่ | The company’s registered head-office location; operational moves may trigger notifications. |
Distinctions that prevent common misunderstandings
- Profit is not the same as available cash: unpaid sales and timing differences matter.
- Registered capital, paid-up capital and bank cash are different amounts with different evidence.
- A shareholder and a director have different roles; a person may hold both.
- A filed shareholder list does not replace the company’s shareholder register and supporting records.
- A visa and permission to work are separate questions.
- A submitted return and a paid liability require separate confirmation.
Explore capital records, shareholder records and work permits for the associated processes.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a certified translation?
No. It is a practical bilingual glossary. Legal documents, official submissions and disputed wording may need a qualified translator or adviser.
Are invoice, receipt and tax invoice interchangeable?
No. They can have different commercial and tax functions. Review the actual document and the applicable requirements.
Where should I check the official form name?
Use the current authority form and portal. Retain the original Thai title and form number in your document index.
Can I use the glossary to brief a new employee?
Yes. Pair it with your actual document examples, approval process and accounting checklist so the employee understands the term in context.
Official references and further reading
- TFAC — financial reporting standards for non-publicly accountable entities
- Revenue Department — VAT registration and tax invoices, sections 85–86
- DBD — shareholder registers, share certificates and annual shareholder-list filing (Thai)
- DBD — official online services and registration portals
Reference review: 13 November 2026. Read current legislation, authority notices and case-specific requirements alongside this practical guide. Older manuals may contain superseded filing channels or rates. Service scope, professional fees, government charges and third-party costs should be confirmed separately.
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