BOI Partners with Chinese, Japanese, and European EV Manufacturers to Drive Thailand Toward 'Smart & Green Mobility'
Thailand is positioning itself as Southeast Asia's electric vehicle hub, with the Board of Investment hosting a major symposium in May 2026 bringing together EV manufacturers from China, Japan, and Europe to showcase investment opportunitie
The Board of Investment (BOI) hosted the BOI Symposium, bringing together leading EV manufacturers from China, Japan, and Europe to propel Thailand toward 'Smart and Green Mobility' and reinforce Thailand's position as ASEAN's EV Hub.
BOI Secretary-General Naruetom Terdsteerasukdi revealed that on May 13, 2026, the symposium titled 'Thailand Driving Toward Smart and Green Mobility' was held as part of SUBCON Thailand 2026, featuring China EV100, a leading electric vehicle think tank, alongside automotive executives and global component manufacturers from China, Japan, and Europe investing in Thailand. The event reflected global automotive industry direction amid the transition to the Smart and Green Mobility era.
The forum also served as a platform for exchanging perspectives on future technology, supply chain systems, and opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs to connect with global supply chains, positioning Thailand as the region's future automotive industry hub. Over 500 investors and interested parties participated.
Secretary-General Naruetom delivered a keynote speech on 'Policies to Accelerate Smart and Green Mobility,' noting that the global automotive industry is transitioning to electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and digital technology, collectively known as ACES, comprising Autonomous, Connected, Electric, and Shared Mobility. Software, electronics, battery management systems, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become competitive differentiators, presenting Thailand with an opportunity to leverage its strong automotive base to become a 'comprehensive future automotive manufacturing hub' for the region in both Green and Smart Mobility dimensions.
Middle East crises affecting global energy prices have accelerated the shift to electric vehicles, demonstrating that Green Mobility transcends environmental concerns and impacts energy security and national competitiveness.
Thailand prioritizes promoting EV adoption, energy efficiency improvements, and clean energy promotion to strengthen energy security and build long-term economic resilience.
'Thailand is not merely following the automotive industry's transition but is seizing the opportunity to lead it, attracting leading companies worldwide—from all types of EV manufacturers to advanced technology component producers—to establish manufacturing and export bases here,' Naruetom stated. 'We are also committed to supporting Thai entrepreneurs in connecting strongly with global supply chains. We have coordinated with four major automotive industry associations to develop further measures, including continuous support for Thai automakers, increased use of domestic components, and capacity building for Thai entrepreneurs.'
'From 2017 to March 2026, investment promotion requests in the EV automotive industry totaled over 182,000 million baht, covering EV manufacturing of all types, batteries, key components, and charging stations. This reflects global investor confidence in Thailand as the region's primary EV manufacturing base, advancing Thailand's goal to become the region's future automotive industry hub.'
Zhang Yongwei, President of the Institute for New Energy Vehicle Technology Development (China EV100), stated that the global automotive industry is entering an 'acceleration phase' of transition to electric vehicles, with projections that by 2030, EVs...
