Thai August exports rise 24.3% on year, close to forecast

Thailand's customs-cleared exports climbed 24.3 per cent year on year in August, the commerce ministry reported on Friday. The figure landed slightly below the 24.9 per cent rise forecast in a Reuters poll of analysts, though it was a step up from the 21.6 per cent gain recorded in July.

Imports advanced 25.1 per cent over the same period, which produced a $2.48 billion trade gap, narrower than the $3.9 billion shortfall that had been projected. The United States, the biggest buyer of Thai goods, took in 48.7 per cent more in August, while China absorbed 15.5 per cent more, the ministry said.

Officials expect exports to keep growing until year-end, helped by electronics demand tied to global AI trends. Natiya Suchinda, deputy head of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said full-year expansion could reach 15 per cent.