HSBC: Chinese FDI Surging into Thailand to Capitalize on AI and Data Center Mega-Trends; Opens $4 Billion Credit Line to Drive Clean Energy and Digital Economy Investment
Chinese companies are surging investment into Thailand, capitalizing on AI and data center opportunities, as HSBC launches a $4 billion credit line to support clean energy and digital economy expansion across Southeast Asia.
HSBC says ASEAN is stepping up as the world's new economic and investment hub, powered by AI, data centers, and clean energy, driving continuous FDI inflows. The bank has launched a major offensive, introducing the "China META Team" of Chinese-language specialists and opening a $4 billion sustainable credit line to support clean energy, EV, data center, and AI businesses from China expanding across ASEAN, with Thailand positioned as a key strategic market in the region.
Georgio Gamba, Chief Executive Officer and head of business customer group at HSBC Thailand, revealed that the ASEAN region is rising as the world's new economic and investment center, driven by AI technology growth, data center investments, and energy transition, which are accelerating the relocation of investment bases and supply chains to Southeast Asia continuously. ASEAN is currently benefiting directly from these trade and investment flows, increasing its share of global exports from 7.4% in 2023 to 9.4% in 2025. Since 2020, ASEAN has also surpassed the European Union to become China's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at $1.05 trillion in 2025, up from $984 billion in 2024.
Despite global economic uncertainty in trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) continues flowing into ASEAN, with the region accounting for 14.5% of global FDI, reflecting foreign investors' confidence in the region.
Regarding Thailand, HSBC views it as a "Strategic Gateway" for Chinese companies seeking to expand into Southeast Asia, particularly in future industries such as digital, electronics, AI, electric vehicles (EVs), EV batteries, and data center infrastructure.
Based on HSBC research surveying over 2,700 organizations globally, Thai companies rank second worldwide in desire to expand business abroad, with Malaysia as the top destination for Thai entrepreneurs. Similarly, Malaysian investors view Thailand as a primary target for business expansion.
Gamba also noted that Thailand's economy in Q1 2025 grew better than expected, with GDP expanding 2.8% year-over-year, supported by strong private sector demand and exports, particularly in electronics benefiting from the global data center investment cycle.
Data from Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) clearly reflects accelerating investment momentum. In Q1 2025, promoted investment projects exceeded 1 trillion baht, a 2.4-fold increase compared to the previous year, with most investment driven by digital and electronics projects related to AI. Data center and cloud service projects accounted for 86% of total investment value, reflecting rapid digital economy expansion and growing global demand for AI processing power.
Top sources of FDI into Thailand currently include Singapore, China, and Hong Kong. However, China-linked investment may be higher than reported figures, as investments come through registered overseas companies.
