Page 57 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE Vol 3

‘Things in Thailand may change, but one thing that never changes is the Royal Family. Our Royal Family members have always helped cultivate ties between China and Thailand’Thai investors propose. They would rather hear about interesting tourist sites in Thailand and delicious food than bloodline and kinship.”It is imperative for Thai investors to understand the characteristics of Chinese people today. The middle class is a growing demographic, and the government has a policy to increase the middle class from 50 million to 300 million by 2020 and has set a target of 50% middle class by 2049. Middle class consumers with the highest purchasing power in China are those born between 1980 and 1990. They are single children born under the one-child policy who grow up to be adults concerned about their quality of life. “They want to know whatwill enrich their quality of life and well-being. They want to know what you propose, not about the history of kinship between Thailand and China.”Thailand’s diplomatic relations with China have been strengthened by Thailand’s royal family. Chinese prime ministers including Xi Jin Ping have spoken highly of their influence. HM King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit have been cultivating good ties with China over almost 40 years. In 2009 HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was voted one of the “10 best international friends of China” for her contributions to Thai-Chinese cultural exchanges and friendship. The online selection was initiated byChina Radio International (CRI) and carried out on its website. HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak’s playing of the kuzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, also impressed the Chinese.“Things in Thailand may change,” the ambassador said, “but one thing that never changes is the royal family. Our royal family members have always helped cultivate ties between China and Thailand.”Elite+ 55