Building a social media and marketing agency in Thailand is an exciting journey, but it also comes with its share of structural and administrative challenges. For foreign entrepreneurs, understanding local regulations, accounting rules and legal frameworks is essential to build something sustainable.
In this interview, Holden, co-founder of Atawad Agency, shares his experience of growing a digital marketing agency in Bangkok and explains how working with Gorioux Siam helped the team stay compliant, structured and focused on what they do best: creating value for their clients.
Can you briefly introduce Atawad and its activity?
Atawad is a digital marketing and social media agency based in Bangkok. We support our clients’ growth through digital strategy, content creation and community management. Our goal is to help brands develop their visibility and performance on social networks, while building long-term and meaningful digital presence.
Why did you choose to create and develop your agency in Bangkok?
Bangkok is a very dynamic city with strong opportunities in the digital and creative industries. Thailand offers an attractive environment for agencies looking to grow internationally. Even though it is not our country of origin, we saw Bangkok as the right place to develop our agency and support both local and international clients.
What were your main challenges before working with Gorioux Siam?
Our main challenge was not related to our expertise, but to everything surrounding the business structure. Thailand has a legal and administrative framework that is very different from what we were used to. We needed to understand local laws, accounting rules and the overall legal structure in order to build something solid and compliant.
Rather than trying to handle this on our own, we decided to work directly with Gorioux Siam. It was not our first experience with them, as we had already collaborated through our parent company. There was already a strong relationship of trust, which made the decision very natural.
What were the main difficulties in the day-to-day management of the agency?
On a daily basis, the most challenging part was the administrative organization. Invoicing, financial follow-up and document justification can quickly become time-consuming, especially when you are growing and focusing on client delivery.
These are critical aspects of a business, and mistakes can happen easily if they are not properly managed.
Did you face any issues related to accounting, licenses or hiring?
Thanks to Gorioux Siam, we did not face any major issues in these areas. They guided us throughout the process and made sure everything was handled correctly, in compliance with Thai regulations. This support was essential, especially as a foreign-owned company operating in Thailand.
How did Gorioux Siam support you throughout your project?
Gorioux Siam supported us at every step, with a very transparent and trust-based relationship. We are also mutual clients, which created a strong partnership from the beginning. They were open, available, and involved, and they supported us not only from an accounting perspective but globally in structuring the business.
There was no real hierarchy in the support: everyone helped and contributed, which made the collaboration very smooth and efficient.
Which services or solutions were the most helpful for Atawad?
Company structuring, accounting, tax compliance and regular follow-up were clearly the most helpful services. Even though we were not starting from zero in terms of business activity, having Gorioux Siam handle these aspects allowed us to move forward with confidence and clarity.
What were the concrete benefits of this collaboration for your agency?
The biggest benefit was avoiding mistakes. We knew our invoices were correct, the amounts were accurate, and the figures were properly reported. This gave us real peace of mind and allowed us to focus entirely on developing the agency.
As a company operating between French and Thai business environments, this level of security was extremely valuable.
What would you say to other agencies or entrepreneurs looking to set up in Thailand?
I would strongly recommend getting proper support from the beginning, especially for French or international companies. Thailand is a great country to do business in, but the rules must be respected. Having a reliable partner like Gorioux Siam saves time, reduces stress, and ensures long-term stability.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs managing or launching a marketing or social media agency in Thailand?
My main advice would be to respect the law and local regulations. Shortcuts may seem easier at first, but they always come back to you eventually. Doing things properly is not as complicated as it seems, and it allows you to focus on real business development.
Building and maintaining a good reputation is essential, and once it is damaged, it is very difficult to recover.
Working with Gorioux Siam allowed us to grow Atawad with confidence, structure and peace of mind. Their support has been a real asset in our development in Thailand.
👉 If you are an entrepreneur or agency considering setting up in Thailand, contact Gorioux Siam for a personalized consultation and expert support.
