With one eye on neighbours, Thailand sets its sights on hi-tech cooperation with China’s Greater Bay Area

Name: Songkran sees return of water fights and tourists in hopeful signal of Thailand’s recovery
Uploaded: 2023-05-26T21:00:15.000Z
Duration: 2 min 20 s
Description: Songkran sees return of water fights and tourists in hopeful signal of Thailand’s recovery

Thailand is seeking Chinese co-investment in wind turbines, hydroelectric dams and solar farms in countries like Laos and Vietnam

It is also a key partner in developing the pan-Asia high-speed railway network that will run from Kunming to Singapore

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Workers assemble a BYD new energy vehicle at a factory in Xian, Shaanxi province, in April last year. Photo: Xinhua

Kandy Wong

Published: 5:00am, 27 May 2023Updated: 6:01am, 27 May 2023

Thailand has been flagging the idea of joining hands with China in tapping new energy and digital markets in Southeast Asia, a move that would elevate bilateral cooperation to new dimensions beyond tourism and tropical fruits.

The notion, mentioned recently by Thailand’s ambassador to China, Arthayudh Srisamoot, could also be beneficial to Beijing as the world’s second-largest economy looks to the 10 member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the 15 members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as alternatives to the US market.

Arthayudh said the Thai government was focusing on new industries and innovative products as it sought co-investment with Chinese companies in wind turbines, hydroelectric dams and solar farms in countries like Laos and Vietnam.

“This is an example of an operation that Chinese businessmen and Thai businessmen are doing to help a third country in the area of new energy,” he said on the sidelines of a global talent forum in Macau in mid-May.

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Songkran sees return of water fights and tourists in hopeful signal of Thailand’s recovery

Citing historical connections, Arthayudh singled out the potential for cooperation with China’s Greater Bay Area, a key growth engine in southern China and base of new energy and digital development.

The economic development zone, comprising Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, aims to become China’s leading growth and innovation centre, and is already home to leading brands such as telecoms giant Huawei, new energy vehicle producer BYD, internet titan Tencent and drone maker DJI.

Asean was China’s largest export destination in the first four months of this year, outpacing the United States and the European Union.