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
Summary in Chinese | 摘要
泰国总理阿努廷首次正式访华，签署15份协议，涉及科技、投资等领域，并为泰国投资促进委员会（BOI）驻成都办事处揭牌，这是BOI在中国西部首个办事处。目前7家中国车企在泰建厂，规划产能超60万辆，中国品牌占泰国电动汽车市场75%，2025年泰电动汽车销量同比增逾80%。阿努廷表示泰国致力于从制造基地向技术转化平台转型，打造连接中国与东盟的区域枢纽。
Commentary in Chinese | 评论
泰国电动汽车市场中国品牌份额达75%，7家车企规划产能超60万辆，并辐射澳新市场。RCEP原产地累积规则下，区域供应链重构为新西兰中小企业带来切入机会：若零部件或服务能嵌入该产业链，可享关税优惠。同时，更丰富且具价格优势的车型入新，将加速车队电动化，催生充电设施及售后需求。
成都办事处填补西部对接东盟的制度空白，新企亦可探索以泰国为支点拓展CLMV市场，但需评估枢纽稳定性和政策协调成本。
关键词: 泰国, 阿努廷, 中国东盟, 科技合作, 区域枢纽, 电动汽车, BOI办事处
Source: Global Times
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