Thailand pulling out all the stops in bid to become global electric-vehicle manufacturing hub

DESPITE Thailand’s automotive sector being the engine driving much of the country’s growth over the past 30 years, the government has warned that the industry is at risk because of the rapid global transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

South-east Asia’s second-largest economy - known for years as the “Detroit of Asia” for its long track record in manufacturing automobiles - is already speeding up its efforts to position itself as a global EV manufacturing hub.

At a recent seminar, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that the country will be able to assemble EVs domestically within a year, faster than the original 2024 target. He said batteries, traction motors, AC/DC converters, portable EV chargers, electrical circuit breakers and EV smart charging systems “should also be manufactured in the country in the near future”.