Border trade with Cambodia plummeted by 99.9% year-on-year to just 10 million baht in August, while total border trade dropped by 3.1% to 150.1 billion baht, according to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT).
The department expects total border trade for the year to reach 1.81-1.85 trillion baht, a 1-2% growth, driven by transit trade to China, Singapore and Vietnam.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, said that border exports dropped by 14.7% to 75.06 billion baht in August, while imports rose by 12.2% to 75.07 billion baht.
Among Thailand’s four neigh- bouring countries, border trade with Malaysia recorded the highest value at 26.9 billion baht, a 5.7% drop; followed by Laos at 23.1 billion baht, a 0.1% decline; and Myanmar at 13.8 billion baht, a 20.8% fall. Key export items were diesel, computers and peripherals, along with other refined petroleum products.
Mrs Arada added that border exports to Cambodia decreased for a second consecutive month in August due to checkpoint closures. Border trade shrank by 97.5% in July before plummeting 99.9% to 10 million baht in August, which included Thailand’s exports of 5 million baht in wine, 1 million baht in minerals and fuel, and 1 billion baht in whisky.
“The trade will be disrupted if the checkpoints remain closed until the end of this year,” she said.
To support exporters to Cambodia, the department has implemented several relief measures. An initial survey identified about 100 affected businesses in sectors such as food and beverages, consumer products and auto parts.
These businesses will be prioritised for participation in six border trade fairs in 2026.
The department has also organised business matching activities to connect these entrepreneurs with buyers and border importers from various markets, along with transport operators offering special transportation rates for exporters.
Mrs Arada said the department plans to reassess the border trade target for 2026, but no specific trade target has been set for trade via the Cambodian border.
“If border trade for next year maintains the same level as this year, it can be considered an achievement. The initial target for 2027 has been set at 2 trillion baht, but this may require adjustments or alternative strategies to ensure we meet the goal,” she said.
In the first eight months of this year, border trade totalled 1.34 trillion baht, up 9.2%, with exports growing by 7.6% to 763.5 billion baht, and imports rising by 11.4% to 574.8 billion baht.