Aekniti revealed that Prime Minister Anutin led a roadshow in Chengdu to close deals with four global big tech and EV giants—Chang'an, Innolite, Eoptolink, and Xiaomi—expecting to attract 70 billion baht in investment to Thailand. The "BOI to IPO" strategy is being accelerated to help multinational companies list on the stock exchange and draw massive funds amid global technology trends. Tags: [Investment, Electric Vehicles, Technology, Thailand, Chengdu, Prime Minister Anutin]
On 19 July 2026 in Chengdu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Aekniti Nitithanprapas said that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul led Thailand's team on a roadshow to attract investment in Chengdu, People's Republic of China. They held in-depth one-on-one negotiations with four top-tier Chinese companies in electric vehicles (EV) and advanced technology, achieving great success. It is expected that the total investment into Thailand will reach up to 70 billion baht, comprising 50 billion baht to expand existing investments and over 20 billion baht in new injections.Tags: [Investment, Electric Vehicles, Technology, Thailand, Chengdu, Government]
"A key factor is geopolitical conflicts acting like a tailwind, accelerating capital relocation from China to ASEAN, with Thailand as a prime target. This phenomenon represents a new wave of investment comparable to the 1980s when Japanese capital flocked to establish production bases in the Eastern Seaboard, ushering in a golden era. However, this time the shift is toward future industries such as AI technology, electric vehicles, and intelligent robotics, aligning with the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) assessment that Thailand is emerging as a global technology star," he explained.Tags: [Geopolitics, Investment, Thailand, Technology, IMF, AI]
Regarding progress with the four major corporations, while detailed financial figures remain business confidential, the overall strategic picture is clear. Leading is Chang'an Automobile, a top-tier Chinese EV manufacturer, which has chosen Thailand as its first right-hand drive vehicle production base outside China. The company plans to establish a factory in Rayong Province as an export hub to countries with which Thailand has free trade agreements, aiming to double production capacity to 200,000 units per year and already integrating 40 Thai SMEs into its supply chain. Meanwhile, AI data processing innovator Innolite Technology, a world leader in optical data transmission equipment, is preparing to expand production in Thailand, creating over 20,000 jobs and partnering with leading Thai universities for research and development involving more than 1,500 Thai engineers.Tags: [Chang'an Automobile, Innolite Technology, Investment, Thailand, EV, Rayong, AI]
Furthermore, Eoptolink Technology, the world's second-largest company in the same industry, has opened its first factory in Rayong and is actively expanding a second plant. Xiaomi Corporation, a big tech company holding the third-largest smartphone market share in Thailand, has been courted by the government to establish Thailand as a manufacturing base for smart home appliances (IoT), highlighting Thailand's strengths in the smart electronics supply chain.Tags: [Eoptolink, Xiaomi, Investment, Thailand, Smart Electronics, IoT, Manufacturing]
Finally, Aekniti emphasized a new strategy to accelerate investment called "BOI to IPO," designed to fast-track foreign technology companies with rapid growth to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. This initiative not only enhances the appeal of the Thai stock market but also attracts massive investment funds amid the global surge in technology stocks.Tags: [BOI to IPO, Investment, Stock Exchange, Technology Companies, Thailand, Finance]
