The Asean Trade Promotion Association (ATPA), a Bangkok-based industrial trade group, hopes to form alliances between Thai and Chinese businesses that will expand investment to other Southeast Asian countries.
Opas Jintawan, a representative of the ATPA, whose members are Thai and Chinese firms, said Thailand is already a transport hub in Asean, with the state planning various infrastructure projects.
This status will allow more trade to flow through Thailand, especially from China.
"We don't want to assess the value of potential trade through the value in baht, what we want is for Thais and Chinese to form business relationships and to create a place where they can connect," said Mr Opas.
Business-to-business relations are resilient amid political uncertainty and personal connections that can change without notice. The partnership between Thai and Chinese businesses is aimed at promoting Thailand as a starting point for Chinese firms investing in Asean.
Mr Opas said the Asean Economic Community in 2015 will make Thailand a regional hub for Chinese investment and ease trade deals with China.
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has asked the ATPA to help clear the path when Chinese businesses want to invest in Thailand.
Kongrit Chantrik, director of the Thai National Shippers' Council, said Thailand's proximity to China further enhances its advantages.
"Thailand has developed logistics and supply chains that can support trade more effectively," he said.
The ATPA will hold the 2013 Asean (Bangkok) China Import & Export Fair from Nov 22-24 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
The event will showcase over 200 Chinese businesses in food, agriculture, medicine and other sectors. The ATPA and representatives from China will be on hand with translators to aid in networking and negotiations.