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Thailand's EEC: The new investment paradise for Chinese companies!
On November 6, 2025, UOB Bank in Shanghai promotes investment in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor for ASEAN growth.
Thailand's EEC: The new investment paradise for Chinese companies!
On November 6, 2025, a significant event was held in Shanghai to further strengthen the economic bridge between Thailand and ASEAN. Under the theme “Thailand: Your Gateway to ASEAN Growth and Prosperity,” UOB Bank and the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EEC) organized an event aimed at promoting investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). This strategic project, covering the provinces of Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao, is seen as key to attracting international investors.
The event not only showcased the investment opportunities, but also positioned the EEC as a center for strategic industries. The EEC will serve as a link between Chinese companies and the growing ASEAN market. So it's no wonder that China was the second largest foreign investor in Thailand in 2024, with 810 projects and a total value of over 174.6 billion baht. The total value of investment applications in Thailand rose a whopping 35% to 1.14 trillion baht in 2024 - the highest in a decade, as mitihoon reported.
Promotion and development of the EEC
A central point of the EEC strategy is to promote the development of modern industries, particularly in the areas of electric vehicles, digital industries and intelligent logistics systems. The shift towards greener technologies and innovative approaches is part of the Thailand 4.0 vision, which aims to establish the country as an innovation and industrial hub in Southeast Asia. The EEC, a mega-project worth USD 44 billion, is transforming the region into a world-class investment zone with high-quality infrastructure and attractive incentives for investors.
The strategic location of the EEC is particularly noteworthy. With deep-sea ports such as Laem Chabang and the planned high-speed rail linking Bangkok to U-Tapao, access to Asian markets will be significantly improved. This makes Thailand a cost-effective and flexible location compared to other countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia, such as investinasia determines.
Investor incentives and supportive measures
To make the EEC even more attractive for international companies, Thailand is offering various incentives. These range from corporate tax exemptions of up to 15 years to regulations that allow 100% foreign ownership in certain sectors. There are also faster visa and work permit procedures for foreign executives. This is also reflected in the already rapidly increasing investment activity: BMW, for example, is expanding its EV assembly in Rayong, while Airbus and Thai Airways are cooperating on an MRO center in U-Tapao.
How mitihoon reports, UOB Bank specifically supports investments in electric vehicles, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. A memorandum of understanding was signed between UOB Thailand and the EEC at the beginning of the year, which forms the basis for close cooperation.
Overall, the Eastern Economic Corridor not only increases Thailand's economic potential, but also opens up new avenues for investment across the ASEAN region. The strategy of using the EEC as the main mechanism for sustainable growth is seen by many as the country's forward-looking bet. And the first companies that position themselves early can already benefit from the best locations and attractive tax packages.