Summary
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made his inaugural official visit to China, signing 15 agreements covering technology, investment and other areas. The trip also marked the opening of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) office in Chengdu, its first in western China. Seven Chinese automakers have built plants in Thailand with a combined planned capacity exceeding 600,000 vehicles.
Chinese brands account for 75% of Thailand’s electric vehicle market, and EV sales in Thailand surged over 80% year-on-year in 2025. Srettha said Thailand is committed to transforming from a manufacturing base into a technology conversion platform, aiming to become a regional hub connecting China and ASEAN.
Commentary
Chinese brands now account for 75% of Thailand’s EV market. Seven Chinese automakers have planned production capacity of over 600,000 vehicles, with an eye on the Australia-New Zealand market. Under RCEP’s cumulation rules, regional supply chain restructuring presents opportunities for New Zealand SMEs: if they can integrate components or services into this chain, they may benefit from tariff preferences.
Meanwhile, the arrival of more diverse and competitively priced models in New Zealand will accelerate fleet electrification, boosting demand for charging infrastructure and after-sales services. The new BOI office in Chengdu fills an institutional gap linking western China with ASEAN. New Zealand companies could also explore using Thailand as a launchpad to expand into CLMV markets, but need to assess the hub’s stability and policy coordination costs.
Keywords: Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, China-ASEAN, tech cooperation, regional hub, electric vehicles, BOI office
Source: Global Times
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