Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Border and cross-border trade expanded significantly, driving Thailand’s trade surplus in the first four months of 2025.
Thailand’s border and cross-border trade reached 632.40 billion THB in the first four months of 2025, marking a 10.7% year-on-year increase. The Department of Foreign Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce, attributed this growth to robust export demand, regional trade partnerships, and rising shipments of key commodities.
Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, revealed that trade in April alone totaled 165.56 billion THB, growing 8.7% from the same month last year. Of this, exports were valued at 96.85 billion THB, an increase of 4.7%, while imports hit 68.70 billion THB, 14.9% increased, giving Thailand a monthly trade surplus of 28.15 billion THB.
From January to April, exports reached 352.68 billion THB, up by 7.9%, and imports totaled 279.72 billion THB, an increase of 13.1%, generating a cumulative trade surplus of 72.96 billion THB.
In terms of bilateral trade, Malaysia remained Thailand’s largest border trade partner at 25.12 billion baht, followed by Laos at 24.40 billion THB, Myanmar at 16.23 billion THB, and Cambodia at 15.31 billion THB. Border exports focused heavily on energy and beverage products, including 3.14 billion THB worth of diesel, 1.47 billion THB of other refined fuels, and 1.36 billion THB of beverages such as UHT milk and soy milk.
Cross-border trade with third countries was equally strong, totaling 84.49 billion baht in April, an increase of 11.1%. Exports made up 47.71 billion THB, up by 5.6%, and imports stood at 36.79 billion THB, a 19.2% jump. China led all third-country trade partners with 52.99 billion THB in trade value, a bump of 4.5%, followed by Singapore at 10.92 billion THB, a 24.3% leap, and Vietnam at 5.49 billion THB, an increase of 6.1%.
Fresh durians emerged as a standout performer, contributing 16.33 billion THB in April alone, with 98.5% of that volume — approximately 97,840 tonnes — shipped directly to China.
Electronic components also saw explosive growth. Exports of hard disk drives surged to 7.66 billion THB, computers and accessories rose to 2.60 billion THB, and electronic circuit boards climbed to 1.64 billion THB.
Rubber exports likewise expanded rapidly, with TSNR block rubber generating 3.06 billion baht, synthetic rubber at 2.68 billion THB, and concentrated latex at 2.60 billion THBt.
Director-General Arada stated that Thailand’s trade momentum reflects increasing regional demand, seasonal agricultural output, and stronger market access, especially to China. The department will continue promoting cross-border logistics efficiency and trade facilitation to maintain the positive trajectory./.
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