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The 9th Bangkok–Shanghai Economic Conference Advances Thailand–YRD Digital Economy and Investment Cooperation

 

On 20 August 2026, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai, in cooperation with the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board and the Shanghai Overseas Investment Development Board (Invest Shanghai), organized the 9th Bangkok–Shanghai Economic Conference (BSEC 2026) under the theme “Connecting Thailand and the Yangtze River Delta: Advancing Digital Economy Cooperation and Investment Opportunities.”

 

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Tachaphorn Suntrajarn, Consul-General of Thailand in Shanghai, highlighted the importance of strengthening Thailand–YRD cooperation in the digital economy, innovation and investment, and reaffirmed the Consulate-General’s commitment to working closely with partners across the YRD. Mr. Chen Hao, Deputy Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, and Mr. Wang Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, also delivered welcome remarks, reflecting strong support from Shanghai and Zhejiang for closer economic cooperation with Thailand.

 

In Session 1, Dr. Chomparee Chompurat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand, delivered the keynote address on Thailand’s digital development direction and international cooperation. She highlighted the important role of the digital economy and emerging technologies in enhancing competitiveness, supporting future industries and promoting sustainable economic growth.

 

Session 2 focused on policy frameworks and digital ecosystems supporting Thailand–YRD cooperation and investment. Speakers included Ms. Kasama Kongsmak, Acting Senior Executive Vice President of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency of Thailand (depa); Mr. Pan Han, Chief Strategic Officer of International Data Cooperation, Lin-gang New Area Administration Committee of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone; Dr. Samita Temphoemphoon, Assistant Director of the Digital Industry and Technology Innovation Division, Thailand Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO); and Mr. Zhao Ting, Chief Representative of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce in Shanghai. The session highlighted the complementary strengths of Thailand and the YRD in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, industrial development and investment facilitation.

 

Session 3 explored two-way investment opportunities between Thailand and Shanghai. Ms. Donlaporn Ajavavarakula, Director of Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) Shanghai Office, presented Thailand’s investment opportunities and support available to international investors, while Mr. Xue Feng, President of Invest Shanghai, introduced Shanghai’s investment environment and opportunities for Thai businesses. The session highlighted the potential for businesses from both sides to use Thailand and Shanghai as platforms for wider regional expansion.

 

The Conference concluded with Session 4, a panel discussion on private-sector perspectives from Thailand and the YRD. The panel brought together companies from key sectors driving the digital economy in both Thailand and the YRD: WorldFirst under Ant International in cross-border digital payments; Yell Worldwide in digital marketing; New H3C Technologies in digital infrastructure and cloud computing; Kasikornbank (China) in financial services; and Agibot in the application of AI and humanoid robotics. The discussions highlighted emerging trends and practical opportunities for cooperation in cross-border trade and payments, digital infrastructure, financial services, market expansion and AI-driven technologies.

 

Held annually since 2018, BSEC serves as an important platform for strengthening economic ties between Thailand, Shanghai and the wider Yangtze River Delta (YRD). This year’s Conference focused on digital economy and investment cooperation, bringing together government agencies, investment promotion bodies and private-sector representatives from Thailand, Shanghai and Zhejiang to exchange views on policies, investment opportunities and practical business cooperation.