Supachai Chearavanont affirms Prime Minister Anutin's vision as the key to building confidence and securing major Chinese investment, pointing to the high-tech hubs Chongqing and Sichuan. He urges the government to accelerate investment efforts to position Thailand as ASEAN's future manufacturing center.
19 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Chengdu city. Supachai Chearavanont, Senior Vice Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, revealed during a business delegation meeting with Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul in Chengdu, People's Republic of China, that the Prime Minister's roadshow in China will help attract investment from key regions like Chongqing and Sichuan, important bases for China's advanced technology industries.
An analysis of potential areas shows that Chongqing city and Sichuan province are centers of key industries that Thailand is actively promoting, particularly semiconductors, electronics, high technology, and aviation industries. If Thailand can attract investors or form business partnerships from these areas, it will significantly boost foreign investment inflows.
Supachai stated that interesting data indicates Thailand attracted about $10 billion in foreign investment last year, while ASEAN competitor Vietnam secured up to $27 billion. This gap directly impacts GDP growth, making it necessary for Thailand to accelerate its role as a production and export hub, especially in electronics and semiconductors, where Western investment remains below expectations despite positive signs in data centers from the West.
Supachai said the key to attracting Chinese capital is building trust and demonstrating friendliness. Chinese investors highly value a country's readiness in legal frameworks, taxation, and government facilitation to avoid investment risks in unprepared countries.
“This visit holds great promise because the Prime Minister deeply understands government, politics, and private sector mechanisms—crucial factors for building confidence and governance in investment. This respect from top Chinese leaders makes them willing to listen to proposals ensuring confidence for Chinese investors seeking ASEAN manufacturing centers, whether compared to Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia.”
Supachai added that this economic advance is seen as a pivotal step to reestablish Thailand as a primary investment destination from the East, especially for future industries in Chongqing and Sichuan, aiming to strengthen Thailand's economic structure long term.
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