At BYD's plant in Rayong, electric vehicles move along the assembly line. Blue-light scanners sweep over battery packs and other large, complex parts, building a full 3D image and detecting dimensional errors in seconds. Coordinate measuring machines use probes to touch surfaces point by point, checking tight tolerances on sealing faces and motor bearing holes.
The plant is BYD's first overseas passenger vehicle manufacturing base, with a designed annual capacity of 150,000 units. Locals make up 95 percent of its workforce.
"Before joining BYD, I had no prior experience with this type of work," said Yanawud Rattanachomphu, a young Thai engineer.
Fresh out of university, he is now in his first full-time job. "Working for one of Thailand's largest companies makes my family and friends proud."
As more Guangdong EV manufacturers set up plants in Thailand, upstream suppliers have followed, and demand for local sourcing is steadily growing. BYD's Thai plant, for example, has built up a network of 266 local suppliers, and about 50 percent of its components are now sourced locally.
Chaowchai Jiemvijid, a member of the Working Committee on China of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, pointed to the growing presence of EVs in the country. "BYD is the pioneer among Chinese EV brands entering the Thai market," he said. He added, "It's actually penetrating the Thai people's daily lives, too."
He also said Thailand was ready to support Chinese high-tech companies. "We are ready to facilitate Chinese high-tech companies coming to Thailand."
"What we want in response is that we would like to have these Chinese companies not just come and manufacture here, but build a complete supply chain here, utilizing our local labor force to help facilitate Chinese companies to be successful," said Jiemvijid.
Liszt Leega, Assistant to the President of Panyapiwat Institute of Management and COO of Siam Think Tank, highlighted the wider impact of Chinese companies expanding overseas. "When Chinese enterprises go overseas, they bring quality products, proven technologies and reliable services to overseas communities," he said.
He added, "Their arrival unlocks broader space for cooperation and market opportunities. This is what Chinese investors ought to achieve. Therefore, win-win outcomes are paramount."
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video & Photos & Poster | Pan Jiajun
