Bangkok: The Prime Minister collaborates with Sichuan to open doors to the western Chinese market, promoting Thai products and attracting technology investment. The Thai Prime Minister and officials from Sichuan province joined forces to open doors to the western Chinese market, promoting Thai products and attracting technology investment, creating new jobs and opportunities for Thais.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the Communist Party of China in Sichuan Province, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, tourism, and local-level cooperation to concretely connect the Thai economy with the western Chinese market.
Mr. Wang Xiaohui welcomed the Prime Minister and his delegation, emphasizing that Thailand is an important country for Sichuan Province. He noted that Sichuan currently has sister city relationships with five provinces of Thailand, and that the number of Thai tourists visiting Sichuan is steadily increasing.
In 2025, the value of trade between Thailand and Sichuan Province is expected to reach approximately 41 billion yuan, an increase of 112 percent, reflecting the rapid growth of economic relations between the two sides. Furthermore, Sichuan has the highest number of Thai restaurants in western China, demonstrating the popularity of Thai food and culture, which can be further developed into exports of Thai agricultural products, food, raw materials, seasonings, and services.
The Prime Minister stated that this official visit to China is of paramount importance, encompassing three major cities: Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing. During the visit, he also met with President Xi Jinping to reaffirm Thailand's readiness to enhance cooperation with China in all dimensions and at all levels, from the central government, provinces, and cities to the private sector.
The Prime Minister commended China's policy of developing western China, particularly Sichuan Province, which has emerged as a regional hub for economics, transportation, science, technology, and innovation. He emphasized that Sichuan, with its population of over 80 million, represents a large market for Thai products and a source of high-quality investors that Thailand seeks to strengthen its connections with.
The Thai government has consistently prioritized Sichuan, as evidenced by the establishment of the Consulate General in Chengdu over 20 years ago and the official opening of the Board of Investment (BOI) office in Chengdu. This will be a crucial mechanism for providing information, facilitating investment, and connecting Chinese investors with investment opportunities in Thailand.
The BOI Chengdu office will help attract investment in target industries such as electric vehicles, electronics, digital technology, high technology, clean energy, and future industries, leading to job creation, enhanced skills for Thai workers, technology transfer, and upgrading the country's manufacturing base.
On the same day, the Prime Minister met with several Chinese companies that have invested in or plan to expand their businesses in Thailand, many of which have their headquarters or key business bases in Sichuan Province. The Prime Minister assured them that the Thai government is ready to support and facilitate the private sector to conduct business efficiently within the legal framework and in the best interests of the country.
Meanwhile, over 150 Thai executives and entrepreneurs participated in economic activities in Chengdu, reflecting the Thai business sector's interest in the potential of the western Chinese market. This presented a significant opportunity to find business partners, open sales channels, and build new business networks.
This visit to Chengdu will help open new markets for Thai products and services, attract investment and technology to the country, and create job opportunities, income, and skills development for Thai people. At the same time, it will enable Thai entrepreneurs to access a large consumer market of over 80 million people in Sichuan and connect more easily to the western regions of China.
At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister requested the Sichuan side to take care of Thai entrepreneurs, students, and tourists residing in or traveling to Sichuan Province, and invited Mr. Wang Xiaohui and Ms. Shi Xiaolin to visit Thailand at a suitable opportunity to continue cooperation for the long term.