Thai officials have stated that China has become the largest source of foreign investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which is a key focus of the Thai government's development. This achievement is attributed to China's deep involvement in high-speed rail, aviation urban planning, and potential real estate projects. As of 2024, Chinese investment accounts for 16% of the total investment in the economic corridor, second only to domestic investment in Thailand and surpassing Japan to rank first in foreign investment.

Gotong Ayutaye, acting director of a department in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand, revealed at the the Belt and Road Summit Forum in Hong Kong that Chinese investment is mainly concentrated in the field of electric vehicles and clean energy, among which BYD, an industry giant, is building an electric vehicle factory in the region, taking the lead. In addition, a group of Chinese companies have teamed up with a Thai consortium to jointly build a 220 kilometer high-speed railway and strengthen regional transportation connections.

In the aviation field, the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Comprehensive Experimental Zone in China has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Thai side to assist in the design of an "aviation metropolis" centered around Utapao Airport. In the future, it is expected to promote flight connectivity between Zhengzhou and the eastern economic corridor of Thailand, and promote cooperation between the two real estate industries.

Gotong emphasized that Thailand pays special attention to technology introduction and local benefits when approving Chinese investment projects: "We will carefully evaluate whether the proposal brings new technologies or creates value for the people, especially for technology transfer to Thailand." He also revealed that some Chinese companies undertaking infrastructure projects may enter the local real estate market in the future.

Song Chenghuan, an economic advisor at financial services company Galaxy Lianchang Securities, pointed out that the reasons why Chinese companies favor the Eastern Economic Corridor include its port advantages, relatively low labor costs, and the possibility of using it to avoid tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese goods.

The Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand was launched in 2017 with the aim of promoting economic development in the provinces of Chumphon, Rayong, and Chak Chun sao by introducing advanced manufacturing industries. Editor/Xu Shengpeng