Thailand Pursues Chinese EV Giants for Expanded Investment
Thailand's trade department is visiting major Chinese EV makers this month to boost manufacturing investment and domestic component sourcing, aiming to solidify the country's position as a regional electric vehicle hub.
The Department of Foreign Trade is urgently engaging major Chinese automotive companies to increase manufacturing investment and use Thai-sourced components under origin-of-goods rules, positioning Thailand as a regional EV production hub.
Arada Fuengtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, has assigned Deputy Director-General Chanin Harimcharoen and a department delegation to visit Beijing and Shanghai from September 21–24, 2025, to discuss trade and investment in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with Great Wall Motor Co., Ltd. (GWM) and SAIC Motor Co., Ltd., major Chinese EV manufacturers. The talks will also explore export market expansion opportunities, trade benefits, and ways to reduce trade barriers in target markets.
Arada said Thailand and China maintain close economic and trade ties, with China remaining one of Thailand's key trading partners. Thailand values Chinese investment, particularly in future industries, in line with the government's policy to establish Thailand as a regional EV manufacturing hub. She praised both companies for their commitment to quality production and international safety standards, and thanked them for their existing Thai investments and value-chain contributions.
The department has invited both companies to expand investment, especially in key component groups critical to EV production such as batteries, electric motors, intelligent control systems, software development, and design. The Department of Foreign Trade stands ready to serve as a central coordinating body linking domestic component manufacturers with international-standard capabilities to ensure sustainable trade and prevent Thailand from being used as a trans-shipment point to circumvent third-country trade measures.
Arada added that the discussions are part of the department's proactive efforts, conducted with support from the Commercial Office in Beijing, to help foreign investors and entrepreneurs understand the importance of rules of origin, now a critical factor in accessing partner markets. If investors cooperate in increasing domestic raw material use, it will create economic linkages between the two countries and drive sustainable mutual growth. According to World Trade Atlas data, Thailand exported EVs worth 478.25 million U.S. dollars in 2024 and 266.41 million dollars from January to July 2025, a 0.32% increase compared to the same period last year.
