Define Non Profit Association in Thailand

A non-profit association in Thailand is a union of persons who for a particular purpose join in a juristic entity (the association) that does not operate to gain profit (non-profit) nor distributes its surplus funds to its members but uses them to help persue the associations purpose. In Thailand non-profit associations are governed by the Thailand Civil and Commercial Code sections 78 to 109.

1. Non-profit organisations are governed by sections 78 to 109 of the Civil and Commercial Code.

2. Under section 78, a not for profit organisation or association must have a set of internal regulations and it must be registered with the Ministry of Commerce.

3. The regulations must have at least the following particulars:

• The name of the association;
• The object of the association;
• Address of the principle office and all branch offices;
• Rules for the admission of its members;
• Rates of member fee; 
• Rules for the Committee of Association, i.e. the number of directors, appointment of the directors, term of office of the directors, retirement of office of the directors and meetings of the committee; 
• Rules for the management of the association, the keeping of accounts and the property of the association;
• Rules on general meetings. 

3. The organisation must have the word ‘association’ incorporated with its name.

4. The application for registration of an association must be filed jointly in writing by at least three of the would be members of the association with the Registrar of the area where the principal office of the association is situated.

5. Regulations of the association with list of names, addresses and occupation of at least 10 of the would be members of the association are to be attached to the application. 

6. The object of the association must not be contrary to law or good morals.

7. Once registered the association is treated as a juristic person.