Commentary
When you picture Thailand, what images spring to mind?
Gloriously sandy islands, luxurious royal palaces, bustling night markets, and great weather.
However, beneath all the undeniable beauty, Thailand shares a deep, dark bond with China. As someone who visits “The Land of Smile” frequently, I have been shocked by how much influence China has over Thailand. Sadly, Chinese influence is growing.
If there is one thing wealthy Chinese citizens enjoy doing, it’s buying inordinate amounts of land and property. Until recently, Singapore was the go-to destination in Southeast Asia for Chinese property buyers. Right now, though, the Chinese are more interested in Thailand. Last year, as The Nation Thailand reported, Chinese nationals were by far the biggest purchasers of property in Thailand. Between April and June of 2022, for example, over 2,000 units were transferred. This represented a 27.6 percent increase in 2021….