BANGKOK, Thailand – 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 baht 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 baht, growing 8.7% from the same month last year. Of this, exports were valued at 96.85 billion baht—an increase of 4.7%, while imports hit 68.70 billion baht—14.9% increased, giving Thailand a monthly trade surplus of 28.15 billion baht.
From January to April, exports reached 352.68 billion baht—up by 7.9%, and imports totaled 279.72 billion baht, an increase of 13.1%, generating a cumulative trade surplus of 72.96 billion baht.
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 baht, Myanmar at 16.23 billion baht, and Cambodia at 15.31 billion baht. Border exports focused heavily on energy and beverage products, including 3.14 billion baht worth of diesel, 1.47 billion baht of other refined fuels, and 1.36 billion baht 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 baht—up by 5.6%, and imports stood at 36.79 billion baht, a 19.2% jump. China led all third-country trade partners with 52.99 billion baht in trade value, a bump of 4.5%, followed by Singapore at 10.92 billion baht—a 24.3% leap, and Vietnam at 5.49 billion baht, an increase of 6.1%.
Fresh durians emerged as a standout performer, contributing 16.33 billion baht in April alone, with 98.5% of that volume — approximately 97,840 tons — shipped directly to China.
Electronic components also saw explosive growth. Exports of hard disk drives surged to 7.66 billion baht, computers and accessories rose to 2.60 billion baht, and electronic circuit boards climbed to 1.64 billion baht.
Rubber exports likewise expanded rapidly, with TSNR block rubber generating 3.06 billion baht, synthetic rubber at 2.68 billion baht, and concentrated latex at 2.60 billion baht.
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. (NNT)
