PM Anutin Consults 4 Chinese Firms on EV-AI Hub in Thailand

Khaosod•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with four leading Chinese companies in Chengdu to promote Thailand as a strategic production hub for EV and AI industries.

•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held one-on-one meetings with Xiaomi Corporation, ChangAn Automobile, Innolight Technology, and Eoptolink Technology on July 18, 2026.
•The meetings took place at the Tianfu International Convention in Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
•Chinese private sectors expressed interest in expanding investments in Thailand due to its geopolitical advantages and infrastructure readiness.
•The companies emphasized the importance of Research and Development (R&D) and technology transfer over mere factory establishment.

Overview

•On July 18, 2026, Anutin Charnvirakul met with four leading Chinese private companies at the Tianfu International Convention in Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
•Anutin Charnvirakul stated that Thailand's geopolitical position as an ASEAN center and its infrastructure, including clean energy and the Thailand FastPass project, are key advantages for investors.
•Xiaomi Corporation plans to establish an EV design research and development center for the ASEAN region in Thailand.
•ChangAn Automobile selected Rayong province as its first overseas production base to produce right-hand drive EVs for ASEAN and global markets.
•Innolight Technology currently utilizes Thailand as its largest overseas production base and an important R&D center focusing on AI and Data Centers.
•Eoptolink Technology employs over 8,000 people in Chonburi and Rayong provinces and uses Thailand as its sole production base outside of China.
•The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that Thailand is among the top four global production bases for the AI industry.
•Eoptolink Technology confirmed plans to expand production capacity and further investment in Thailand.

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Key Entities

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand.

Ratchada Thanadirek(รัชดา ธนาดิเรก)

Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister.

LAM Alain

Vice President and CFO of Xiaomi Corporation.

ZHU Huarong

Party Secretary and Chairman of Chongqing ChanganAutomobile Group Co., Ltd.

Liu Sheng

Chief Executive Officer of Innolight Technology.

Gao Guangrong

Chief Executive Officer of Eoptolink Technology.

Organization

Xiaomi Corporationℹ️

A leading technology company dealing in IoT, AIoT, Smart Devices, and electric vehicles.

ChangAn Automobile

One of the four largest automobile manufacturers in China and a leading state enterprise producing combustion and new energy vehicles.

Innolight Technology

A global leader in Optical Transceivers specializing in computer equipment, AI, and Data Centers.

Eoptolink Technology

A company specializing in the design, production, and sale of Optical Transceivers for Data Centers.

BOI

An entity providing investment benefits to investors in Thailand.

IMFℹ️

An organization that reported Thailand as one of the top four AI industry production bases globally.

Policy

Thailand FastPass

A project designed to facilitate government services for investors.

Place

Tianfu International Convention

A venue in Chengdu, People's Republic of China where the Prime Minister met with Chinese companies.

Chengdu(นครเฉิงตู)ℹ️

A city in the People's Republic of China.

People's Republic of China(สาธารณรัฐประชาชนจีน)ℹ️

The country where the consultations took place.

Rayong Province(จังหวัดระยอง)ℹ️

The location selected by ChangAn Automobile for its first overseas production base and a site for Eoptolink Technology employees.

Chonburi Province(จังหวัดชลบุรี)ℹ️

A location where Eoptolink Technology employs staff.