Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul meets representatives of a leading Chinese company in Chengdu on Saturday. Government House
Thailand has secured more than 70 billion baht in investment commitments from leading Chinese corporations following a high-level roadshow in Chengdu, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Sunday.The Thai delegation to China engaged in direct, one-on-one negotiations with four of the country’s leading companies in the electric vehicle (EV) and advanced technology sectors, with the expected investment comprising 50 billion baht in expanded existing projects and more than 20 billion baht in new investments.
“The investment drive exceeded expectations,” Mr Ekniti, who doubles as deputy prime minister, said, attributing the strong response partly to shifting geopolitical conditions that are prompting Chinese manufacturers to diversify production beyond the mainland, with Thailand emerging as one of the preferred destinations in Southeast Asia.
Among the companies, EV manufacturer Changan Automobile reaffirmed its decision to use Thailand as its first right-hand-drive vehicle production base outside China. Its factory in Rayong province will serve as an export hub for countries covered by Thailand’s free trade agreements, while the company plans to double annual production capacity to 200,000 vehicles.
