Thailand posted a trade deficit of US$37.8 billion in the first eight months of this year, including an expanded $62.7 billion deficit with China and a $45.5 billion surplus with the US.
From January to August, Thailand’s international trade value tallied $570 billion, up 27.5% year-on-year. The trade deficit surged, up from $5.31 billion for the entire 2025.
Exports rose 18.9% year-on-year to $266 billion, while imports increased by 36.1% to $304 billion, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Shipments of computers, equipment and components grew by 49.2% year-on-year, while telephone equipment and parts increased by 165% and electrical transformers and parts gained 37.7%.
Meanwhile, exports of automobiles, equipment and components increased by only 0.3% year-on-year.
The trade deficit with China of $62.7 billion rose from $40.8 billion a year earlier, while the trade surplus of $45.5 billion with the US accelerated from $31.6 billion a year ago, noted TPSO.
CHINA AND US
In August, the country’s trade deficit was $2.5 billion, marking the 11th consecutive month of deficit.
China was the top source of imports, valued at $11.2 billion, up 20.2% year-on-year, followed by the US at $2.9 billion, a gain of 62.2%, and Japan at $2.6 billion, an uptick of 9.2%.
The trade deficit for the month with China was $7.6 billion, up from $6.2 billion in August 2025.
The top five products contributing to the trade deficit with China last month comprised: telecom equipment and accessories; machinery for industrial use and parts; electrical machinery used for telecom; electronic integrated circuits; and reception apparatus for radio-telephony, radio-telegraphy and TV.
Meanwhile, Thailand posted a trade surplus of $5.5 billion with the US last month.
The top five products contributing to the trade surplus with the US comprised: telecom equipment and accessories; computers and accessories; computer parts; data media for picture and sound recording; and electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits.
EXPORT GROWTH
Exports in August totalled $34.6 billion, marking the 26th consecutive month of expansion and a 24.3% year-on-year increase, said Natiya Suchinda, deputy director-general of TPSO.
Growth was driven by overseas investment in infrastructure and artificial intelligence-related industries, which lifted demand for electronic products, she said.
TPSO projects export growth of at least 8% this year, although a contraction is anticipated in 2027, noted Ms Natiya. The office is scheduled to update its projections in November, with export growth in 2026 potentially reaching 15%.
Ongoing geopolitical conflicts and high oil prices could weigh on shipments next year, increasing freight and production costs, she said.
Persistent uncertainty about tariffs has accelerated imports, resulting in large inventories that may result in reduced orders in the future, noted Ms Natiya.