Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Amity Treaty Companies here in Thailand. What are we discussing with regard to this? Well first of all, for those who are unaware, Thailand and America share a very unique Treaty. It's one of these treaties that frankly other bilateral relationships that the United States has, do not have the history of the Amity Treaty that we have here with Thailand. This Treaty is almost 200 years old; you could call it a throwback if you want to look at the evolution of diplomacy in that way. It isn’t. I would argue it's hard as a rock if you will, and it has just been here. Its continued existence is a testament to its usability and durability as an agreement between two sovereign states and it's very positive; it is mutually beneficial to both nations. 

As a Thai - American, or American - Thai, however you want to view me, I was born in the United States, I naturalized to Thai Citizenship. I availed myself of many of the benefits of the Amity Treaty over the years and I am proud of it for both of these countries. I think the alliance in and of itself is a very, very strong thing. It's a very good thing for both nations; it's a good thing in its own right. 

The point I am trying to make with this video is it can also have indirect benefits that I don't think necessarily folks look at. I did a recent video where I was talking about more economic collaboration between Thailand and Cambodia and how we are likely to see much more cross-border trade. I think that's in the offing coming sooner rather than later and this trade is probably going to be very mutually beneficial for both Thailand and Cambodia, but there can also be indirect benefits for Americans doing business through a company here in Thailand. And again, under the Amity Treaty, Americans doing business in Thailand gain what is called National Treatment. That is a specific term of art used in the text of the Treaty itself which basically means that Americans doing business here through a corporation, that corporation if certified under the Treaty, is treated as if it was a Thai Company. 

That can have tremendous ramifications as we move forward in this increasingly positive collaborative effort economically between Thailand and Cambodia and Americans could avail themselves in many of these benefits both legal, business, economic, and otherwise that may emanate or accrue from the existence of this Treaty. 

So the thing to take away from this video is, one, it's possible for Americans to do business in Thailand with 100% ownership of a Thai Company notwithstanding the provisions of the Foreign Business Act, but that there may also be indirect benefits in a more regional sense with other jurisdictions here in Southeast Asia.