Chinese companies have set their sights on Thailand's struggling bus and restaurant sectors, sparking concern among local business owners. Plagued by high operational costs and continuing losses, many Thai bus operators are now contemplating selling their businesses. This dire situation has caught the attention of Chinese bus manufacturers and operators keen on expanding their market into Thailand.

 

Sources indicate that Chinese firms are particularly eager to introduce electric buses. This initiative comes at a critical time when nearly half of Thailand’s bus fleet is out of commission due to financial difficulties.

 

A parallel crisis is unfolding in Thailand's restaurant industry. Ms. Prapatsorn Rangsiroj, President of the Thai Restaurant and Street Food Association, shed light on the issue, expressing concerns over the growing influence of Chinese investment, reported The Pattaya News. 

 

"Chinese investors are setting up their own restaurants, similar to the ‘zero-based tours,’ where tourists dine solely at Chinese-owned establishments," Prapatsorn remarked.

 

The financial plight has been devastating for local eateries. According to Prapatsorn, around 50% of Thai-owned restaurants have shuttered due to economic strains. She warned that the situation could deteriorate further by the end of 2024, potentially leading to increased foreign acquisitions, particularly from China, in prominent areas such as Ratchada and Huai Khwang in Bangkok.

 

Alarmed by these developments, Thai business owners are calling for government intervention. They urge the authorities to investigate potential illegal foreign nominees and ensure that existing laws around business ownership are enforced to prevent a complete takeover by foreign entities.

 

The move by Chinese investors underscores the broader strategy of expanding their influence within Southeast Asia, but it also raises questions about the future of local Thai businesses and the preservation of their cultural identity in the face of burgeoning foreign ownership.

 

Source: The Pattaya News

 

-- 2024-08-13

 

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Kick them out of the country, nobody likes them anyway,

How could this happen in corruption-free Thailand?

 

Seems that Thai bureaucrats are happy to sell off their country to the Chinese.

9 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

How could this happen in corruption-free Thailand?

 

Seems that Thai bureaucrats are happy to sell off their country to the Chinese.

 

Yes, sad really, but they somehow will pay for it.

 

Even more cheap Chinese imports on the way.

Be very careful what you wish for Thailand.

All these mom n pop coach companies are ripe for consolidation.

The biggest threat to Thailand is China, the sooner they realize it the better. 

14 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

The biggest threat to Thailand is China, the sooner they realize it the better. 

 

I think those in power do realise what is happening.......but the prospect making more moolah along the way overrides all other concerns.

 

They would sell their own grandmother's.

Time for these Thai restaurants to up their game and start providing a better service and quality food instead of under cooked pig swill, what they worried about most of them Chinese buffet places I know here in Phuket only Chinese go in them, 

And the good Thai buffet place that I have been to do not want them Chinese tour groups, they know the locals will avoid the place, 

The ones i like here in Phuket are the Korean BBQ buffets a bit more expensive but better quality

 

8 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

I think those in power do realise what is happening.......but the prospect making more moolah along the way overrides all other concerns.

 

They would sell their own grandmother's.

They would sell their own grandmother's what?

4 hours ago, watchcat said:

Kick them out of the country, nobody likes them anyway,

 

Says who? A salty Western retiree? 🙂

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Chinese companies have set their sights on Thailand's struggling bus and restaurant sectors, sparking concern among local business owners. Plagued by high operational costs and continuing losses, many Thai bus operators are now contemplating selling their businesses. This dire situation has caught the attention of Chinese bus manufacturers and operators keen on expanding their market into Thailand.

Big brother from the north is moving in.

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

The biggest threat to Thailand is China, the sooner they realize it the better. 

China owns Thailand already, it goes back centuries.

6 hours ago, watchcat said:

Kick them out of the country, nobody likes them anyway,

Let them in, day one a thousand EV buses and affordable prices.... 

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

China owns Thailand already, it goes back centuries.

How did you come to that conclusion, please elaborate on your knowledge.

 

I would say keyboard xenephobes are virulent.

5 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

How could this happen in corruption-free Thailand?

 

Seems that Thai bureaucrats are happy to sell off their country to the Chinese.

Money knows no borders and has only one international language, greed.

The Chinese always move slowly but end up taking over everything. That is the way they work. If Thailand wants to remain Thailand then stop all the Chines owned businesses starting up.

Just look at countries where China has a major say in the countries affairs. All of them have accepted large quantities of money, cant pay it back so China gets more control. I don't know if similar such events are happening in Thailand but I would say keep them at arms length

2 hours ago, freeworld said:

How did you come to that conclusion, please elaborate on your knowledge.

 

I would say keyboard xenephobes are virulent.

Just look at many prominent Thai ancestry...