Thailand-China investment forum draws over 800 investors

2026-03-06 - 09:43

BANGKOK — 5 March 2026, Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and public and private sector partners, hosted the “Thailand-China Investment Forum: Keys to Success & Sustainable Growth for Chinese Enterprises” at the Siam Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok. The forum aimed to present investment opportunities in Thailand’s targeted industries and provide key information on business regulations and best practices for Chinese investors operating in the country. More than 20 partner agencies set up consultation booths, while over 800 Chinese investors based in Thailand attended the event. Most representivies were from electronics, automotive, metal products, machinery, chemical, and digital sectors. BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi said that amid rapidly changing global conditions, including geopolitical tensions, technological transition and sustainability pressures, leading companies worldwide are adjusting their business strategies and seeking stable investment destinations with strong fundamentals and geopolitical neutrality. He said these factors have helped position Thailand as a key destination for the new wave of global investment. “Chinese investors will be one of the most important groups driving Thailand’s economy over the next decade,” Narit said. Over the past five years, from 2021 to 2025, Thailand received more than 2,400 investment promotion applications from Chinese companies, worth over 600 billion baht, he added. Many leading Chinese firms listed in the Fortune China 500 have already established operations in Thailand, covering sectors such as electric vehicles, smart appliances, digital technology and energy storage systems. Companies operating in Thailand include EV manufacturers such as BYD, SAIC (MG), Great Wall Motor and Changan; smart appliance producers including Midea, Haier and Hisense; digital firms such as Alibaba Cloud, Huawei, Tencent and TikTok; and battery and energy storage companies including Sunwoda, Gotion and CALB. Narit said most Chinese investment projects promoted by the BOI are in high-technology industries aligned with Thailand’s development strategy. These investments help create skilled jobs for Thai workers and support local businesses in integrating into global supply chains. Key sectors benefiting from these investments include smart appliances, electronic printed circuit boards (PCB), electric vehicles, digital technology and artificial intelligence, automation systems and humanoid robotics. The BOI organised the forum to ensure Chinese investors receive accurate information, understand Thai regulations and operate their businesses transparently, which officials say will help build sustainable growth between Chinese investment and Thailand’s economic development. Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei delivered a keynote speech outlining three expectations for Chinese companies investing in Thailand. First, companies should strictly comply with Thai laws and regulations while maintaining transparent and responsible business practices. Second, they should strengthen cooperation with Thai businesses within supply chains by increasing local procurement of raw materials and components, thereby improving the competitiveness of Thai-Chinese industries. Third, they should promote the concept of “In Thailand, For Thailand” by expanding local investment, developing Thai talent, supporting technology and research collaboration, and contributing to society and local communities. The event also featured presentations by Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, who explained rules of origin to strengthen Thailand’s manufacturing base for sustainable exports. Somate Tangprasert, governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, provided guidance on selecting factory locations and regulatory practices for establishing operations within industrial estates. Representatives from the BOI, the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Employment also briefed investors on visa and work permit privileges for foreign executives and specialists, as well as labour regulations in Thailand. Officials said the seminar served as an important platform for building understanding of Thailand’s investment policies and regulations while allowing Chinese investors across industries to exchange views with government agencies, supporting sustainable growth of Chinese investment alongside Thailand’s economy and domestic supply chains.