More major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are eyeing Thailand as a manufacturing and distribution base to neighbouring economies, indicated the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Prospects are backed by recent investment incentives in the kingdom for Chinese carmakers, and investments are pouring in, the chamber’s chairman Narongsak Putthapornmongkol said on Sunday (Jun 25).

China’s Hozon New Energy Automobile will start production in Thailand to sell to South-east Asia in 2024, becoming the latest EV maker to begin building a supply chain in the region’s top car-manufacturing hub. 

Chongqing Changan Automobile and GAC Aion have also announced plans to invest a total of 16.2 billion baht (S$621.6 million) in EV production facilities in the country. Great Wall Motor and BYD have already established production plants in eastern Rayong province.

“EV is the most trailblazing industry right now as seen through investments from MG, Great Wall Motor and BYD,” Narongsak said.

The chamber is hosting the 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Conference in Bangkok from Jun 24-26. About 4,000 entrepreneurs from 50 countries are attending. Li Chuyuan, chairman of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings, and Hui Yuan, chairman of Xiao i Corporation, are among prominent Chinese businessmen participating in the event.

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Thailand’s foreign investment applications more than doubled to 155.3 billion baht in the three months to March from a year ago, led by companies from South Korea, Singapore and China, the nation’s Board of Investment indicated. 

Chinese firms sought to invest 25 billion baht during the period, up 87 per cent from a year ago, in industries such as battery production, electronics, petrochemicals and solar cell, data showed.

WHA Corp, Thailand’s largest industrial estate developer, expects a pick-up in Chinese investors with demand coming from companies setting up units to manufacture EVs, car parts and electronics, said chief executive officer Jareeporn Jarukornsakul.

Daily minimum wages should be raised because of higher costs of living, but the hike should not exceed comparable salaries in neighbouring countries considered as Thailand’s competitors, said Narongsak. 

A coalition of Thai pro-democracy parties led by progressive Move Forward Party, which is seeking to form a new government after sweeping the May 14 elections, plans to raise minimum wages in line with inflation and economic growth. Bloomberg