Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s exports rose 24.4% year-on-year in January, while imports increased 29.4%, the Ministry of Commerce reported on February 23.
Both figures far exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts by economists, marking the fastest growth since late 2021.
Nantapong Chiralerspong, head of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office under the Ministry of Commerce, said the export surge reflects an upturn in demand for AI-related electronics and data centre equipment.
In January, Thailand posted a trade deficit of 7.2 billion USD with China, while recording a trade surplus of 4.8 billion USD with the US.
Chiralerspong said Thailand will continue to push forward trade negotiations with the US.
The January trade figures were seen as positive news for caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, which won a landslide victory in the February 8 general election.
Anutin has pledged to accelerate Thailand’s economic growth, which has lagged behind other major economies in Southeast Asia./.
