EVAT warns Thailand risks becoming just a cheap EV market

Khaosod•Economy•15h ago

Reader Briefing

The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand warns that high import rates and infrastructure gaps threaten Thailand's goal of becoming a genuine EV production hub.

•The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand reported over 500,000 cumulative EVs in Thailand over 10 years.
•Approximately 60% of EV sales in the first seven months of 2026 were completely built-up imports.
•Charging station density has increased from 25 cars per plug 3 years ago to 45 cars per plug currently.
•Suroj Sangsanit urged the government to review import tax structures and local content standards.

Overview

•The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand was founded in 2015 when Thailand had fewer than 200 EVs.
•Thailand currently accounts for over 80% of EV usage in ASEAN, with cumulative vehicles exceeding 500,000 units.
•In the first seven months of 2026, approximately 144,000 new EVs were registered in Thailand.
•Suroj Sangsanit warned that if over 60% of sales remain imports, Thailand will become a market for cheap goods rather than a real production base.
•Suroj Sangsanit emphasized that after-sales service is currently the most important priority for the Thai industry.
•Thailand has approximately 4,922 charging stations with about 10,000 plugs, with over 50% concentrated in Bangkok and its vicinity.
•The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand proposed that the government review import tax structures and regulate local content standards to align with export criteria for Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
•The government must accelerate investment in charging stations in provincial areas.

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Key Entities

Organization

Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand(สมาคมยานยนต์ไฟฟ้าไทย)

An organization that monitors the EV market and provides recommendations to the government on production bases and infrastructure.

EVAT

The abbreviation for the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand.

Matichon(มติชน)ℹ️

The editorial team that organized the NEW ENERGY FOR THAILAND seminar.

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

The regional bloc where Thailand holds over 80% of the EV usage.

Person

Suroj Sangsanit(สุโรจน์ แสงสนิท)

The President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand.

Place

Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The country experiencing rapid EV market growth and seeking to become a production hub.

Europe(ยุโรป)ℹ️

One of the export markets mentioned regarding local content standards.

Australia(ออสเตรเลีย)ℹ️

One of the export markets mentioned regarding local content standards.

New Zealand(นิวซีแลนด์)ℹ️

One of the export markets mentioned regarding local content standards.

Bangkok and vicinity(กรุงเทพฯ และปริมณฑล)

The area where over 50% of Thailand's charging stations are concentrated.