Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and partners from the public and private sectors, hosted the “Thailand-China Investment Forum: Keys to Success & Sustainable Growth for Chinese Enterprises” on 5 March 2026 at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. The event attracted more than 800 Chinese investors currently based in Thailand and aimed to highlight investment opportunities in targeted industries while explaining key regulations and best practices for operating in the country. Over 20 partner agencies also set up consultation booths to provide guidance to businesses.

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Most investors attending the forum represented sectors including electronics, automotive, metal products, machinery, chemicals and digital technology. The seminar was organised to provide clear and accurate information on Thai business regulations while encouraging transparent and sustainable operations by foreign companies. Officials said the forum also offered investors an opportunity to exchange views directly with government agencies.

BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi said global economic conditions are rapidly changing due to geopolitical tensions, technological transition and increasing sustainability pressures. As a result, many leading companies are adjusting their business strategies and seeking stable investment destinations with strong economic fundamentals and geopolitical neutrality. He said these factors have helped position Thailand as a key destination for a new wave of global investment.

Narit added that Chinese investors are expected to be one of the most important groups driving Thailand’s economy over the next decade. Between 2021 and 2025, Thailand received more than 2,400 investment promotion applications from Chinese companies, worth over 600 billion baht. Many projects are concentrated in high-technology industries aligned with Thailand’s development strategy.

Several major Chinese firms have already established operations in Thailand, including electric vehicle manufacturers BYD, SAIC Motor, Great Wall Motor and Changan Automobile. Technology and digital companies such as Alibaba Cloud, Huawei, Tencent and TikTok also operate in the country.

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei outlined three expectations for Chinese companies investing in Thailand. He said businesses should strictly comply with Thai laws and maintain transparent and responsible practices, strengthen supply-chain cooperation with Thai firms by increasing local procurement, and promote the concept of “In Thailand, For Thailand” by investing locally and supporting talent development and research collaboration.

Other presentations at the forum included guidance from Arada Fuangtong on rules of origin to strengthen Thailand’s export manufacturing base. Somate Tangprasert also advised investors on selecting factory locations and complying with regulations within industrial estates.

Khaosod reported that officials from the BOI, the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Employment additionally briefed investors on visa and work permit privileges for foreign executives and specialists, as well as labour regulations in Thailand. Authorities said such exchanges aim to support sustainable growth of Chinese investment while strengthening Thailand’s domestic supply chains and economic development.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 7 Mar 2026

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Chinese investors or scammers or triads?

The Chinese "business" invasion has already destroyed many small Thai businesses, and created hardship for many Thai families.

But, blood is thicker than water, so the Chinese-Thai businesses are happy to welcome new "blood" into Thailand, and hopefully will be granted new profit/business opportunities in the "motherland".

As I read this, the forum’s “Chinese business leaders” are primarily local Chinese investors already established in Thailand, not new arrivals from China.

The large attendance number reflects the size of the existing Chinese business community here, not a wave of new investment.

So, the event was more of a domestic networking and policy‑alignment gathering than a major inbound investment mission.