PM Courts Investors on China Trip, Pledges Streamlined Regulations and Anti-Corruption Measures

Anutin courts investors on China trip Anutin vows to streamline regulations, tackle corruption PUBLISHED : 19 Jul 2026 at 05:03 NEWSPAPER SECTION: News WRITER: Post Reporters Chinese investors remain confident in Thailand as an investment destination, citing the country's strong infrastructure and strategic location, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday. Speaking during his visit to Chengdu, Mr Anutin said discussions showed Chinese investors viewed Thailand's logistics network as one of its greatest competitive advantages, making it an attractive manufacturing base. Investors called for faster government procedures and fewer redundant regulations, prompting Mr Anutin to commit to streamlining approvals and improving the ease of doing business. "Amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, Thailand is well positioned to remain one of the region's leading industrial production hubs, thanks to its well-developed infrastructure and connectivity," he said. Mr Anutin said his government would not tolerate corruption or the practice of demanding unofficial payments, known as "tea money", warning such practices erode investor confidence and weaken competitiveness. On transport policy, the government remains committed to studying the Land Bridge megaproject linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. However, immediate priority will be given to existing transport links to deliver faster economic benefits. Following discussions with the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Bankers' Association, the near-term focus has shifted towards completing missing rail and road connections between the eastern and western coasts while upgrading southern ports. Improving the western deep-sea port in Ranong and strengthening logistics links with Chumphon would provide a practical solution over the next five to 10 years, requiring significantly less time than constructing the Land Bridge, he said. Addressing about 110 representatives of Thai companies at a luncheon in Chengdu, Mr Anutin pledged the government would serve as a "gateway" to create new opportunities for businesses expanding into China and global markets. He said Chinese President Xi Jinping had reaffirmed the longstanding ties between the two countries during his official visit, declaring "Thailand and China are one family". Mr Anutin said he would also ask Chinese Premier Li Qiang to continue supporting Thai businesses operating in China during their meeting on Monday. The prime minister also opened a Board of Investment office in Chengdu and attended the Thailand-China Investment and Economic Forum. He urged closer public-private cooperation, saying the state's role was to remove regulatory obstacles while businesses drive growth. He also vowed to accelerate negotiations on free trade agreements (FTAs) with key trading partners, saying expanded market access would strengthen the competitiveness of Thai exporters and create new opportunities worldwide. Concluding FTA negotiations would boost Thailand's trade value by improving market access and lowering tariff barriers, he said. Thai companies are now capable of acquiring and wholly owning overseas businesses, including globally recognised firms, reflecting their growing competitiveness, said Mr Anutin. However, some Thai exporters targeting the European market are forced to source raw materials from multiple countries because products manufactured in Thailand still face high import tariffs. If FTAs reduce those tariffs to zero, manufacturers would be able to relocate their entire supply chains back to Thailand, generating substantial added value for the economy, Mr Anutin said. He added the benefits would extend well beyond the food industry to a wide range of export sectors, underscoring the need to conclude the negotiations as quickly as possible.