Rising instability in the Middle East has driven up fuel prices in Southeast Asia, sparking a growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand, which is heavily reliant on oil imports, and faces tightening supplies amid the ongoing conflict.
The shift is evident at the country's largest auto show, the Bangkok International Motor Show, where Chinese EV brands dominate the floor with a wide range of competitively priced models.
"I think this will be a pain-point for customers in their decision-making process. We expect growth to be above average," said Suroj Sangsnit, Executive Vice President of SAIC Motor-CP, a partnership between Chinese car manufacturer SAIC and Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group that targets ASEAN automotive markets.
Organizers say the event is expected to draw more than one million visitors, with dozens of brands showcasing EVs and alternative-energy vehicles, underscoring both industry momentum and changing consumer preferences.
"The trend of EVs is already popular and in demand among consumers. However, with the current situation, I think it will be a significant driving force that makes people want to switch to EVs even more," said Peeraphong Eamlumnow, Chief Executive Officer at Grand Prix International PCL, which is hosting the auto show.
Consumers at the show echoed the sentiment.
"At first, I was not interested, but I recently became concerned because it is difficult to find places to refuel, and fuel is expensive. So, I changed my mind and started looking at electric cars instead. I have decided to reserve one," said Suchanya Petchruecha, a visitor to the auto show.
"It would be better to switch to driving an EV. It is becoming more common, and as you can see, since the war, oil prices are high so EVs will help a lot," said another visitor named Kriengkrai Krisanakamol.
Not limited to Thailand, soaring oil prices are accelerating consumers' shift toward new energy vehicles worldwide.
According to U.S. auto platform CarEdge, searches for EVs jumped 20 percent over the past three weeks, while Germany's MeinAuto saw a 40 percent increase in interest in EVs. Similar trends are emerging in the UK and Southeast Asian markets.
Middle East crisis accelerates EV demand at Thailand motor show
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
