How a short EV ride shows deep Sino-Thai bond

How a short EV  ride shows deep Sino-Thai bond
February 2nd, 2025

On one of the last days of 2024 I decided to order a car from an application that offers ride services and have the car take me from my condo to downtown Bangkok instead of driving myself. When the car arrived I was surprised to see that it was an electric vehicle (EV) made in China. Despite the fact that I use ride-hailing services on a regular basis, this was the first time I had been in an EV. When I got inside I was immediately distracted by a giant LCD monitor. It was placed centrally in the dashboard and gave the car a look that was much more sophisticated and stylish than other cars I have ordered. Based from my own experience, the Thai drivers are not very talkative especially with the foreign passengers. Although I have been in Thailand for 3 years now my Thai language skills are still very basic. However one could not help but be curious and I could not refrain from addressing the driver – a young man – about what it was like to drive an EV for a living. I wanted to know about the battery life, if it could support an entire day of driving, and how much of a hassle it was to charge it – something that many drivers have been skeptical of. The driver was a little bit surprised but tried to answer politely. He pointed out that the low costs were one of the main advantages and that, in his experience of driving an EV, it had been very positive. He also said that the battery lasted for a day of driving and that charging it at home overnight was convenient and “very, very cheap”. We talked some more with the conversation flowing smoothly between Thai and English. He asked what I thought of Thailand and looked pleased when told that I enjoyed the pad krapao more than the famous tom yum kong. The driver even recommended that I take advantage of the cooler year end weather and head up to the northern city of Chiang Mai to escape the tropical heat of Bangkok. When I finished my short ride and said my goodbyes to the driver I felt like I had learned a bit more about why Chinese EVs are so popular in Thailand. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been on the rise in Thailand for the past few years, and the Xinhua reporter noticed that the majority of these vehicles are made in China because they are affordable and of high quality. In fact, I don’t have to look far to notice the change; just walking around the parking lot of my condo shows me how quickly the new Chinese automakers are emerging in Thailand and how they are bringing their latest models with them. The Chinese automakers are clearly established in Thailand due to the company’s focus on EV technology and Thailand’s Industrial Strategy to become a competitive EV hub. This trend is also seen in the overall economy. The data shows that China has emerged as the leading source of foreign investment in Thailand. It demonstrates the strategic importance of Thailand to many Chinese companies as a key hub for their Asean expansion plans. Several senior executives of Chinese automakers who are based here have shared with me that Thailand has been a valuable stepping stone for them to expand their business globally and become a big player in the market. But for me, what made this experience most meaningful was the moment when two people, one Chinese, one Thai, who were strangers to each other, talked to each other. It demonstrated that the growing partnership between China and Thailand is not merely based on business. Recently, a sweet Thai film called How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has resonated with Chinese audiences and has moved them to tears. In the tourism sector, the main sector of the Thai economy, China has been the leading source market for tourists. During the first five days of 2025, a total of 69,548 Chinese tourists visited Thailand. The visa free policy has also made the exchange even easier. Right before the Lunar New Year, numerous Thai tourists boarded charter flights to Harbin, the northern Chinese city where they were able to admire the scenery and welcome the coming of the Asian Winter Games with enthusiasm. When China and Thailand celebrate their 50th year of diplomatic relations in 2025, this relationship is set to intensify, which will provide both countries with numerous opportunities for cooperation to enhance their development. Lin Hao is the current Bangkok Bureau Chief of Xinhua News Agency.

Shandor Brenner

Shandor Brenner is an American journalist recognized for his sharp and insightful reporting on social and political issues. His work is known for its depth, integrity, and the ability to highlight critical societal concerns.

Finance Daily News
Copyright © 2024 Finance Daily News.
All rights reserved.