Bangkok’s Central Embassy shopping centre, which will open in December, is targeting Chinese tourists as customers.

The Central Retail Corporation is said to have invested 10 billion baht (US$336 million) in the project.

“Despite a lower economic growth rate than before, China is seeking sustainable growth, and a large number of Chinese are still wealthy and keen on buying luxurious goods during the global recession,” said Central Retail MD Chart Chirathivat.

“The objective of Central Embassy is not merely to construct a shopping mall, but to create a new symbol on the Bangkok skyline that will attract new groups of tourists to spend more money in our country,” Chart said.

The mall plans to lure Chinese by providing exclusive facilities in Chinese language, it says.

Chinese are the biggest spenders overseas in Asia, recording an average spending of $874, according to Travelzoo. The tourism authority says Thailand is expecting 3 million Chinese visitors this year.