The historic Thai trading districts of Sampheng and Pratunam are shaken as giant Chinese investments flood in. Small businesses are at a disadvantage, as Chinese capital, technology, and innovation take the lead, with Chinese firms expanding into all product categories.

After a blaze sparked by a faulty transformer torched six shophouses in Bangkok’s Sampheng market last week, Mahidol University’s electrical engineering department has come up with guidelines to prevent a repeat.