Credit: Department of Industrial Works

This document explains the factory licensing consideration process according to the guidelines announced by the Department of Industrial Works in July 2014. It categorizes factories into three types:

1. Category 1 Factories

   • These factories can operate immediately without requiring a license.
   • The factory must comply with ministerial regulations regarding location, building structure, machinery, and pollution control.
   • Must not exceed 20 horsepower in machinery and 20 workers.

2. Category 2 Factories

   • These factories must notify the authorities before starting operations.
   • Must not exceed 50 horsepower in machinery and 50 workers.
   • Cannot be classified as Category 1.

3. Category 3 Factories

   • These factories must obtain a license before operating.
   • Have machinery exceeding 50 horsepower and more than 50 workers.

Factory Licensing Process for New Establishments

Step 1: Determine the Factory Category

1. Category 1 Factories

   • No licensing is required, and operations can start immediately.
   • The factory must comply with regulations regarding location, building specifications, machinery, and pollution control.

2. Category 2 Factories

   • The factory can be established immediately, but the location must comply with Ministerial Regulation No. 2 (B.E. 2535/1992).

   Required steps:
   2.1 Submit a factory operation notification (Form Ror.Ngor.1).
   2.2 Pay the annual fee.
   2.3 Receive the certificate of factory operation for Category 2.
   2.4 Start factory operations.
   2.5 Pay the annual fee every year on the anniversary of the operation start date.

3. Category 3 Factories

   Required steps:
   3.1 Submit documents for a public hearing (according to the Ministry of Industry’s regulations on public participation for factory licensing and expansion under Factory Law No. 2, B.E. 2557/2014).

   3.2 Submit a factory license application (Form Ror.Ngor.3) and include public hearing results.

   3.3 Document and site inspection by officials, which includes reviewing:

   • Risk assessment report (ESA), if applicable
   • Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), if applicable
   • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), if applicable

   3.4 Decision Announcement

   3.4.1 If Approved:

   • Receive the factory license and pay the licensing fee.
   • Establish the factory within the period specified in the license.
   • Notify the start of operations and pay the annual fee (at least 15 days before operations begin).
   • Begin factory operations and start the license validity period.
   • The license is valid for 5 years, and the annual fee must be paid each year on the operation anniversary.
   • Renew the license as required.

   3.4.2 If Denied:

   • The applicant may appeal to the Minister of Industry within 30 days.
   • If the appeal is successful, the applicant will receive the license upon fee payment.
   • If the appeal is denied, the application is rejected.

Note: Steps 3.2 to 3.4 must be completed within 30 days, according to the Ministry of Industry’s regulations. Any additional time required for document submission or review is not included in the 30-day limit.

For those interested in purchasing second-hand properties for factory use, further details on the licensing process can be found at the Department of Industrial Works.