Guidelines on the conditions for applying for BOI investment incentives for developing software, a digital platform, or content

Digital platform 

A system, channel, or procedure for providing digital services in exchanging information, goods, or services between a developer and user over the internet or other electronic networks. 

Development process in Thailand  

      a. Must be a new development of software, a digital platform, or digital content. 

      b. If a product has been developed before applying for investment incentives, after applying for investment incentives, the product must include new functions that differentiate it from the original product. 

      c. The applicant must provide documentation of development of the software, digital platform, or digital content, which must contain at least the following information: 

           i. Background and business opportunity; 

          ii. Where the product was developed before applying for investment incentives, the details of the functions of the software, digital platform, or digital content must be provided; 

         iii. Details of functions of the software, digital platform, or digital content that will be developed after applying for investment incentives; 

         iv. The technology used in development; 

         v. A development plan and timeline for the software, digital platform, or digital content; 

        vi. The customers, distribution channels, and business model; and 

       vii. Details of the management and information technology teams. 

The following types of software, platforms, and/or digital activities are not eligible for investment incentives: 

• Website development which is not for a web application 
• Advisory services 
• Selling goods or services through a platform, i.e., wholesale and retail, transportation, issuing credit terms, etc.  
• Improving software or a platform which does not result in developing new functions, i.e., a user Interface, the conversion or addition of other languages to software or a platform, etc.  
• Procuring, installing, customizing, or maintaining hardware or software from other service providers 
• Providing data analysis services without developing tools for analysing data 
• Providing software testing services without the applicant using its own development tools  
• Creating computer graphics or visual effects for movies, dramas, advertisements, or documentaries (visual technology) 
• Video editing 
• Audio editing to create sound effects  
• Digital painting, i.e., webtoons, stickers, etc.  
• Providing services relating to cryptocurrency which is not platform development, i.e., an initial coin offering, etc.  
• Developing software or a platform to provide digital services or digital content for use within an organization  
• Other procedures which do not involve developing new products or new functions. The BOI will consider such applications on a case-by-case basis.  

Machinery and equipment 

• Hardware and software which is directly used in developing the software, digital platform, and / or digital content.  

Salary expenses 

• 100% exemption from CIT for expenses incurred for IT staff members newly employed after applying for investment incentives. 

Expenses for obtaining quality and standard certificates 

• 100% exemption from CIT for expenses incurred.   
• These expenses must be incurred to obtain an ISO 29110 or CMMI (Level 2 or higher) certificate or other equivalent certificates for the first time.