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Chinese investors strongly drawn towards Thailand
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation


Xu Gen Luo, right, chairman of Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Realty Development Co, and Kamjorn Vorawongsakul, vice president of the relationship management department, Amata Corporation.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is set to be a strategic investment destination for Chinese companies, not only to cash in on a huge domestic market, but also using the Kingdom as springboard to export products to Asean and other markets around the world.

However, Thailand needs to improve the efficiency of government services as the processing of work permits and visas for foreign firms that want to set up operations here, as well as helping them lower their production costs, one Chinese investor says.

Xu Gen Luo, chairman of Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Realty Development Co, said that with the rapid development of China's economy, its companies had been integrating more and more with the world economy.

Despite its higher production costs compared with China, Thailand has other strengths make it an attractive country in which to invest.

The main factor is Chinese manufacturers' desire to enrich their products' diversity of origin. They also want to expand their business into the Thai market and use this country as an export springboard into global markets. Moreover, Chinese companies want to take advantage of the Kingdom's resources such as rubber.

The Chinese government has encouraged companies to invest abroad, providing low-interest loans and tax incentives, as well as direct capital support.

"China is a young country whose modernisation and industrialisation progress has taken place for only 30 years. It takes time for Chinese companies to improve and strengthen themselves first before expanding their business into global markets," Xu said. Thailand is located in the centre of Asean and has a great investment atmosphere and harmonious cultural environment. Investment security in Thailand is quite well ensured. That is why more and more Chinese investors have come to Thailand, he said.

He said more than 1,000 Chinese companies are operating here, including trading and manufacturing firms.

Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Realty Development was set up in 2005 as a joint venture between China's Holley Group and Thai industrial-estate developer Amata Corporation.

Its core businesses are an investment advisory service and the rental and sale of land and factories. Its purpose is to build a platform for Chinese investors to develop and expand their business in Thailand.

Xu said the group decided to form the partnership with Amata for three reasons. First, Vikrom Kromadit, chief executive officer and managing director of Amata Corp, is a strategic-minded businessman who enjoys a very high reputation in Thailand. Second, Amata is a well-developed and successful industrial-estate company with years of experience. Third, Amata City is in Rayong, which enjoys the Board of Investment's Zone 3 investment privileges.

"Factories in our industrial zone have invested US$1.2 billion so far in the first and second phases," he said.

"Currently, there are more than 60 manufacturers in the industrial park, occupying total land area of 2,000 rai. Most of them are in such industries as electronics, motorcycles, vehicle parts, and renewable-energy industries like solar panels. They have employed about 1,000 Chinese workers as well as 10,000 Thai workers."

Xu added that about 60 per cent of the estate's products were exported to many markets around the world, particularly the US and Europe.

"We plan to add another 1,000 rai initially in our Phase 3, which will start this year, and will add another 200 factories in our industrial estate."

Industries specialising in renewable energy and high-technology products will be the new focuses, he said, noting that with its relatively high costs of production, Thailand needed to concentrate on high-value-added industries. He said this year marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. It is apparent that the cooperation between the two countries, such as on the economy, politics, culture, and communications, has stepped into a new stage.

China is now Thailand's No 1 trading partner and importer of its products. Chinese investment in Thailand last year totalled Bt38 billion. Xu said the government needed to improve the efficiency of its visa and work-permit processing to attract more foreign investors.

As well, as the Asean Economic Community becomes fully effective this year, affecting the movement of the regional labour market, Thailand should be doing something to bring down its production costs.

"We are looking forward to the AEC," he said, adding that Asean could become a mutually complementary and beneficial ecosystem in terms of resources, capital, trade and labour.

He said the government's railway project would be mutually beneficial to China and Thailand. Its significance is not only economic but also in politics and culture.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Chinese-investors-strongly-drawn-towards-Thailand-30254159.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-16

[Paulc01]

"We are looking forward to the AEC," he said, adding that Asean could become a mutually complementary and beneficial ecosystem in terms of resources, capital, trade and labour.

I'm pretty sure this could be reduced to two words: "annexed colony."

[yellowboat]

Thailand is geographically attractive to the Chinese, but Cambodia is far easier to set up a business, large or small. Also, there is gambling, so that is a huge draw. Will be interesting to see who prospers more.

[ExPratt]

Thailand will very quickly upset other Asean nations getting too close to China, Philippines , Brunei , Malaysia and Vietnam are still in dispute with China over China's ridiculous claim for territorial waters in the South China Sea. One of the reasons the US is switching its attention and forces to the Pacific

Edited February 16, 2015 by ExPratt

[keemapoot]

It does appear this effort by the current Thai government is attempting a realignment of allegiance and partnership toward China and away from the US and the west. It remains to be seen how lasting this realignment will be, but it does appear to be long lasting so long as the current administration and its policies can be "policed" and enforced in succeeding administrations, even if democratic in some form.

Probably a new world order for Thailand really, and a gradual diminution of interest and importance to the US and west.

[kalbo123]

Thailand will very quickly upset other Asean nations getting too close to China, Philippines , Brunei , Malaysia and Vietnam are still in dispute with China over China's ridiculous claim for territorial waters in the South China Sea. One of the reasons the US is switching its attention and forces to the Pacific

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You are right. It seems like Thailand forgets their ASEAN friends, they are running straight into China's arms.

Will be interesting to see what the reaction is of the ASEAN counterparts.

[NextStationBangkok]

China need dictatorship countries. It is as simple as that. Most of the war torn countries in Africa is supported by China. It is most easy for them to talk to one person than talking to everyone in the world, and the most difficult part is coming with an agreement to WTO. This one of the scariest of the American stagy to keep the balance in Asia. Now the world know how China is raising, we cannot avoid China anyway. The mobile, the keyboard, the mouse, the router i am using to type this message all made in China in fact!

[shirtless]

In the long run Thailand will be all the poorer for this folly, China is a taker not a giver.

[TheDiva]

"We are looking forward to the AEC," he said, adding that Asean could become a mutually complementary and beneficial ecosystem in terms of resources, capital, trade and labour.

I'm pretty sure this could be reduced to two words: "annexed colony."

Surely not. As far as the junta is concerned it's a

But for who..............................?

[Fiddlesticks]

I think China is in for a major surprise when it starts getting in bed deeper with Thailand. Case in point is the recent fiasco where the Chinese business man was swindled out of 1.1 billion bhat when he was expecting to purchase control of the famous resort in Chiang Mai. They will learn that the law here does not favor outsiders over hi-so Thai unless, of course, outsiders 'contribute' more to someones pocket.

Skilled labor! In Thailand this is an oxymoron. Also, as has been pointed out by numerous TV'ers, Thailand severely lacks motivated workers. You know, the kind that show up to work on time and more than 80% of the days they are supposed to. What will happen to the Chinese companies when they learn that they can not find intelligent, skilled workers and that they are restricted from hiring quality foreign employees?

All I can say is Good Luck China. You are in for the time of your life here in Thailand.

[hawker9000]

I think China is in for a major surprise when it starts getting in bed deeper with Thailand. Case in point is the recent fiasco where the Chinese business man was swindled out of 1.1 billion bhat when he was expecting to purchase control of the famous resort in Chiang Mai. They will learn that the law here does not favor outsiders over hi-so Thai unless, of course, outsiders 'contribute' more to someones pocket.

Skilled labor! In Thailand this is an oxymoron. Also, as has been pointed out by numerous TV'ers, Thailand severely lacks motivated workers. You know, the kind that show up to work on time and more than 80% of the days they are supposed to. What will happen to the Chinese companies when they learn that they can not find intelligent, skilled workers and that they are restricted from hiring quality foreign employees?

All I can say is Good Luck China. You are in for the time of your life here in Thailand.

China & Thailand both are in for an eye-opener, but I think Thailand in particular is going to get some schoolin' in dealing with alpha dogs.

[elgenon]

America was upset about the coup so withheld money and diplomatic contacts between leaders. China is Thailand #1 trading partner and doesn't quibble about politics only wants to do business. Thai and China are doing joint military exercises. Oh my, time America learns its not the only big boy.

Has anyone read the book "China's Second Continent: A Million Chinese in Africa"?

[DLock]

"The main factor is Chinese manufacturers' desire to enrich their products' diversity of origin."

Yeah, because a "made in Thailand" sticker on an electrical appliance is so much better than "made in China".

[lifeincnx]

Just ask the African nations who jumped in bed with Chinese investment how that has worked out.

[hawker9000]

America was upset about the coup so withheld money and diplomatic contacts between leaders. China is Thailand #1 trading partner and doesn't quibble about politics only wants to do business. Thai and China are doing joint military exercises. Oh my, time America learns its not the only big boy.

Has anyone read the book "China's Second Continent: A Million Chinese in Africa"?

Oh my, time Thailand learns that deals with China come at a price.

[Thakkar]

Nice press release for the Holley Group and Thai industrial-estate developer Amata Corporation.

T

[Johnny S]

Good luck with that I would rather bet my Money in a casino

[metisdead]

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[wabothai]

May be there should be a serious attempt by the Thai schools to teach Chinese in stead of English. Would be a smart thing to do.

Both will be too much to ask.

[lynnnayko]

like my friend said "here's come trouble"

[freedom4life]

Like rats to cheese......time for good mousetraps.

[Starre]

I think China is in for a major surprise when it starts getting in bed deeper with Thailand. Case in point is the recent fiasco where the Chinese business man was swindled out of 1.1 billion bhat when he was expecting to purchase control of the famous resort in Chiang Mai. They will learn that the law here does not favor outsiders over hi-so Thai unless, of course, outsiders 'contribute' more to someones pocket.

Skilled labor! In Thailand this is an oxymoron. Also, as has been pointed out by numerous TV'ers, Thailand severely lacks motivated workers. You know, the kind that show up to work on time and more than 80% of the days they are supposed to. What will happen to the Chinese companies when they learn that they can not find intelligent, skilled workers and that they are restricted from hiring quality foreign employees?

All I can say is Good Luck China. You are in for the time of your life here in Thailand.

A caveat to Chinese investment on major projects will be that there be an opening to bring it's own labour as they have done on projects around the world. This also serves as the tip of the spear to establish a significant population within the country being invaded - sorry, settled. China is looking at the long term for itself - benefits to Thailand are the last of it's objectives. It needs access to natural resources and relatively unpolluted environments - unlike their own. Be afraid, be very afraid. The Thai's natural talent for scamming foreigners may be it's only defense as @Fiddlesticks has pointed out.

[mango66]

All they want is to put on chinese shit rubbish and garbage

put a sticker " Made in Thailand !

as less and less people worldwidw want buy chinese rubbish !

And cheat Thai labour !!

They should stay where they are ,

and first learn how to use a toilett and how to talk english !!

[mango66]

America was upset about the coup so withheld money and diplomatic contacts between leaders. China is Thailand #1 trading partner and doesn't quibble about politics only wants to do business. Thai and China are doing joint military exercises. Oh my, time America learns its not the only big boy.

Has anyone read the book "China's Second Continent: A Million Chinese in Africa"?

and this million is really hated by the africans !!

[davidmann]

i am from China ,new factory ,i need 10000 thai slaves to work for 50bt a day ,7 day week no holidays ,i will so add lot pollution to the local area ,i am so happy with the thai government and they say they will give all my managers from china work visa so they can have fun in Thailand ,Great

[ExPratt]

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America was upset about the coup so withheld money and diplomatic contacts between leaders. China is Thailand #1 trading partner and doesn't quibble about politics only wants to do business. Thai and China are doing joint military exercises. Oh my, time America learns its not the only big boy.

Has anyone read the book "China's Second Continent: A Million Chinese in Africa"?

and this million is really hated by the africans !!

Thanks I'll have a look at that. Two award winning books about China by Frank Dikotter , The Tragedy of Liberation and Maos Great Famine, If you want to know why the Mainland Chinese are how they are , read these books

[wowfactor10]

Lets see how satisfied these Chinese investors will be with the 49% foreign and 51% Thai shareholders rules.

[hawker9000]

Lets see how satisfied these Chinese investors will be with the 49% foreign and 51% Thai shareholders rules.

I don't think the Chinese will prove very tolerant of scams like that on their national investments. The Chinese will throw their weight at it, and the thais won't really know how to react except to acquiesce. By the time they see the big picture (a skillset that doesn't really fall that neatly under the "thainess" umbrella...), and that the Chinese won't take No for an answer and roll over like their western predecessors, the fix will be in, and the thais will be stuck for some too-little-too-late national policy level solution.

Dark days ahead I think, but there are some in this world who just can't be taught and can't learn from the lessons of others.

No problem really for the West. Southeast Asia is filling up with countries who DO understand the Chinese problem and are more than happy to participate in closer ties with the West. Thailand isn't really all that badly needed; if it thinks it can do better as a Chinese colony, so be it. Their choice.

Edited February 16, 2015 by hawker9000

[Strangebrew]

China wants to be closer to it's biggest buyer of knockoff products. Till China annexes Thailand's oil fields as there own then who you going to call? Russia?

[MZurf]

May be there should be a serious attempt by the Thai schools to teach Chinese in stead of English. Would be a smart thing to do.

Both will be too much to ask.

One is apparently too much to ask..