Security Guard Services in Thailand

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Thailand

Thailand regulates the security business under the Security Business Act B.E. 2558 (2015), which came into force on 5 March 2016 (B.E. 2559). Security companies must be licensed by the Registrar, and every security guard must hold an individual license from the Registrar, valid for three years.

Regulator: Royal Thai Police, through the registrars under the Security Business Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau is both the Central Registrar and the Bangkok Registrar, provincial police commanders are the provincial registrars, and the Security Business Supervisory Committee, chaired by the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, oversees the business. The Prime Minister has charge and control of the Act (Section 5). royalthaipolice.go.th

Requirements

• Thai nationality (Section 34)
• At least 18 years of age (Section 34)
• Completion of compulsory education (Section 34)
• A certificate of completion of a security training course from a training institution accredited by the Central Registrar (Section 34)
• Not a chronic alcoholic or drug addict, and not suffering from a communicable disease specified by the Committee (Section 34)
• Not of unsound mind, incompetent or quasi-incompetent (Section 34)
• Never sentenced to imprisonment by a final judgment for specified offenses (offenses against life and body, property, sexual offenses, gambling or narcotics), except for offenses committed through negligence or petty offenses, or unless at least three years have passed since release (Section 34)
• No revocation of a security guard license within the two years before the application (Section 34)

Application Steps

1. Complete a security guard training course at an institution accredited by the Central Registrar and obtain the training certificate
2. Submit an application for a security guard license to the Registrar (Bangkok: Metropolitan Police Bureau; other provinces: Provincial Police)
3. Receive the license, which is valid for three years from the date of issue (Section 36)
4. Work for a licensed security company, which must notify the Registrar of its licensed security guards and report changes within 15 days (Section 30)
5. Wear the approved security guard uniform and insignia while on duty, carry the company identification card and show it when asked

Agency Licensing

The security business must be carried on by a company licensed by the Registrar (Section 16). Thai nationals must hold more than half of the shares, and more than half of the directors must be Thai nationals (Section 17). A company license is valid for four years (Section 19). A renewal application must be filed before the license expires, the company may continue operating while the application is pending, and the Registrar must complete the review within 60 days (Section 22). The company must notify the list of its licensed security guards within 30 days of receiving its license and report changes within 15 days (Section 30).

A security guard license is valid for three years (Section 36). A renewal application is filed before expiry, together with a letter from the employing company certifying readiness to perform duties, or a refresher training certificate from an accredited institution (Section 37).

Sources

• Security Business Act B.E. 2558 (2015), text hosted by the Royal Thai Police
• Royal Thai Police explanatory note on the Security Business Act B.E. 2558
• Tilleke and Gibbins: Thailand’s Security Business Act 2016

Requirements change. Confirm current rules with the official regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.