Rise of the Red Capitalists: PRC Influence and the New Challenge of the Royalist-Chinese Business Alliance in Thailand

Abstract

Academic studies of the ethnic Chinese community in Thailand focuses on Chinese communities in Bangkok and the central plains in relationship to centralized political power. This chapter argues that the early twenty-first century is the first time in history that ethnic Chinese outside of central Thailand have become relevant at the national and international levels. The economic growth in north and northeast Thailand are attributed to ASEAN regional corridors, the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and the Peoples Republic of China trade policies. The city Udon Thani is presented as case study to determine the role of ASEAN and Chinese investment in establishing a regional centre of trade and commerce.