Thailand's exports rose 17.6% year-on-year to US$196.74 billion in the first six months of 2026, with technology and electronics leading the increase, the government said on 9 August. The United States remained Thailand's largest export market, with shipments climbing 41.1% to US$47.14 billion between January and June, according to deputy government spokeswoman Lallida Periswivatana. June alone saw exports reach US$34.66 billion, up 20.8% from the same month last year. First-quarter exports were worth US$96.17 billion, a 17.4% increase, followed by US$100.57 billion in the second quarter, up 17.7%. Technology drives export growth Computer equipment and parts were the biggest contributor to the overall rise. Exports in the category reached US$18.78 billion, up 47.9%, contributing 5.4 percentage points to total export growth. Exports of fax machines, telephones, equipment and parts rose 169% to US$3.55 billion. Machinery and parts, agricultural machinery, electrical transformers, and copper and copper products also continued to expand. Agricultural and food exports also supported the figures. Fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit exports were worth US$4.02 billion, up 16.3%, while gems and jewellery exports increased 19.8% to US$14.17 billion. After the US, Thailand's principal markets included China, where exports rose 8.1% to US$22.65 billion; Japan, up 12.9% to US$13.19 billion; India, up 10% to US$9.15 billion; and Singapore, up 74% to US$9.13 billion. Imports rise faster than exports Total trade in the first half reached US$425.23 billion, up 27.8%. Imports climbed 38% to US$228.49 billion, leaving Thailand with a trade deficit of US$31.74 billion. Lallida said the performance was a positive sign for the Thai economy, particularly because technology, electronics and products linked to the digital economy were expanding. She said this demonstrated opportunities for Thailand to take a greater role in modern industrial supply chains. "The first-half figures clearly reflect that Thailand's exports this year have performed better than last year," she said, adding that the government would seek new markets, protect existing ones and help Thai businesses, including SMEs, benefit from changes in global supply chains. Join the discussion? 10 August 2026
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