Thailand's Cross-Border Trade Grows Despite Regional Setbacks

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Thailand's cross-border trade grew by 4.2% in October 2025, reaching 146.6 billion baht. This increase brought total trade for the first ten months of the year to 1.63 trillion baht, up 7.7%. Despite the overall growth, trade with Cambodia fell by 99.9% due to border restrictions, and Myanmar saw a decline of 16.7% amid export-import controls.

The Director-General of the Department of International Trade, Arada Fuangtong, reported a trade surplus of 3,178 million baht for October 2025. Exports were valued at 74,913 million baht, a 2.5% decrease, while imports rose by 12.3% to 71,735 million baht. For the January to October period, significant growth was noted in overall trade, with exports increasing by 4.7% and imports by 11.7%.

In October 2025, cross-border trade with four neighboring countries fell by 17.5% to 65,334 million baht. Malaysia and Laos experienced growth, with trade values rising by 9.6% and 6.3%, respectively. Conversely, trade with Cambodia and Myanmar sharply declined due to border and control issues.

Trade to third countries rose significantly, reaching 81,314 million baht, a 32.2% increase over the previous year. China, Singapore, and Vietnam were key markets, with substantial gains in trade values. Major exported products included hard disk drives and rubber items, reflecting strong global demand and expanding investments in Thailand's electronics sector.

Arada Fuangtong highlighted the continuous investment in Thailand's electronics and data centers as a driver of growth. The rubber industry also performed well, with products like synthetic rubber and gloves showing robust export figures. However, the sharp declines in trade with Cambodia and Myanmar present ongoing challenges.

Looking forward, the Ministry of Commerce emphasizes the need for cooperation between public and private sectors to enhance trade opportunities. There is an urgent call for policy adjustments to address the trade barriers with Cambodia and Myanmar, focusing on easing restrictions and fostering better trade relations, reported The Nation.

Key Takeaways:

• Cross-border trade increased by 4.2% in October 2025.
• Trade with Cambodia plummeted by 99.9% due to border restrictions.
• Significant growth in trade with China, Singapore, and Vietnam.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-11-27