Thai PM Heads to Shanghai to Attract AI Investors

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced his visit to China from July 16–20 at a government house press briefing on July 16, stating that the trip aims to participate in the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai and open a Board of Investment (BOI) office in Chengdu. The Chinese government has formally invited him to Beijing for bilateral talks with Premier Li Qiang before further meetings at the ASEAN Summit and APEC gatherings.

Anutin emphasized that AI cooperation is a priority for the Thai government as it explores potential partnerships with the global community. The Shanghai event will be significant, featuring speeches and meetings with major AI entrepreneurs and technology firms. Thailand is positioning itself as a potential hub—whether as a data center or manufacturing base—for Chinese investors.

Anutin stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with him and his delegation in Shanghai on July 17. He described this as an opportunity to summarize discussions from the past year, including matters dating back to the King's visit to China, when China purchased Thai rice. Thailand will seek China's support across trade, investment, security, and law enforcement dimensions. When pressed on specific security cooperation examples, Anutin declined to elaborate, saying such sensitive matters must be discussed bilaterally. He stressed that all progress continues steadily and that China remains a great ally supporting Thailand consistently, whether requests are made or not, on issues ranging from sensitive matters and security to combating corruption and crime, as well as trade.