Thailand’s exports rose 24.4% year-on-year in January, marking the fastest growth since late 2021, driven by a surge in outbound electronic products linked to artificial intelligence and data centres. Imports climbed 29.4% over the same period, also reaching a four-year high, according to Commerce Ministry data released on Monday 23 February. Both figures exceeded even the most optimistic estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists.

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The sharp increase in trade comes as Thailand seeks a trade agreement with the United States. Stronger inbound demand for raw materials and machinery also contributed to the rise in imports.

Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office at the Commerce Ministry, said the export growth reflected an “upcycle” in global demand for electronics tied to artificial intelligence and data centres. He rejected suggestions that the gains were due to transshipments of Chinese goods to the US via Thailand.

The ministry confirmed that Thailand recorded a $7.2 billion trade deficit with China in January, while posting a $4.8 billion trade surplus with the United States. Officials said Thailand would press ahead with trade talks with Washington after the Supreme Court struck down most of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. Mr Trump has since proposed a new 15% levy to maintain pressure on trading partners.

“We need to continue talking to them, to show that we are cooperating,” Mr Nantapong told reporters at a briefing. “We are running a high trade surplus against the US, so they could come up with any measures later.”

The data provide positive momentum for Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose Bhumjaithai Party secured a coalition deal this month following a stronger-than-expected election result. Mr Anutin has pledged to accelerate economic growth, which has lagged behind other major Southeast Asian economies.

The Bangkokpost reported that the trade negotiations with the US are expected to remain a priority amid uncertainty over potential new tariffs. The sustainability of export growth will likely depend on continued global demand for AI-related electronics and investment in data centres. Import growth may also signal ongoing industrial expansion if demand for raw materials and machinery remains firm.

Key Takeaways

• Thai exports jumped 24.4% year-on-year in January, the fastest pace since late 2021.

• Imports surged 29.4%, reflecting strong demand for raw materials and machinery.

• Thailand recorded a $7.2bn trade deficit with China and a $4.8bn surplus with the US.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 24 Feb 2026

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The place is booming!

With the Bhat that is far to strong, no chance that the exports will really take off.

1 minute ago, SingAPorn said:

With the Bhat that is far to strong, no chance that the exports will really take off.

A surge of 24% is not taking off?

I think a lot of this is attributed to transshipping, Thailand has been very lax on this and many Chinese factories moved their production here to circumvent tariffs.

Who would buy electrical/electronic stuff made in a country where they cannot even earth their mains sockets. 555

13 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Who would buy electrical/electronic stuff made in a country where they cannot even earth their mains sockets. 555

Not sure it's all that important any more.

The surfaces of all the electrical equipment is plastic these days.

And any leakage flips the breakers off before it even gives your fingers a tingle.

We were born in an age where electric shock from household appliances was a real risk, but today not so much.

3 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

With the Bhat that is far to strong, no chance that the exports will really take off.

Baht did go down after new year, and didnt get much stronger during Chinese new year, and hopefully will drop until the summer holiday starts in Europe. BetweenApril - June have usually been good months for a big transfer.

New guvamint. Announcement of BIG export growth.

Miraculous!

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

A surge of 24% is not taking off?

TAT calculator is now fully re-charged.🙃🙃

I wouldn't be surprised if China bought a lot of parts if America adds tariffs. That's trade - one guy drops out anther takes over.

Anutin ordered that the forecast must be 2,5 % and see suddenly it happens Electronics boom, auto industry rising, and the THB is strenghten... although the last one is not good for the economy and pensions of the expats.. They have a lot less money to spend...

And products linked to AI of Thailand???

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

The surfaces of all the electrical equipment is plastic these days.

ALL? I have things with metal casings, PC, breadmaker, oven, microwave........enough?

The rules in Europe and UK say that sockets MUST be earthed. Lucky to find 3 core cable here!

There's several major AI data centres currently being built in Thailand, and Thailand also has a good reputation for the manufacture of quality electronics, so this is a positive sign Thailand can move beyond tourism and agriculture.

And links to both China and the West are an asset. Just hope this will create jobs for Thai people that are not on the minimum wage.

7 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

With the Bhat that is far to strong, no chance that the exports will really take off.

It doesn't matter. What matters is Thailand recorded a $4.8bn surplus with the US.

42 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

ALL? I have things with metal casings, PC, breadmaker, oven, microwave........enough?

The rules in Europe and UK say that sockets MUST be earthed. Lucky to find 3 core cable here!

My bread maker plug doesn't have an earth pin

Same for my PC plug, fridge, microwave .... not that it matters as they didn't connect an earth to any of my sockets when they wired the house.

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

My bread maker plug doesn't have an earth pin

Same for my PC plug, fridge, microwave .... not that it matters as they didn't connect an earth to any of my sockets when they wired the house.

I did read somewhere on AN that the Thais regard their electricity supply is different than the rest of the World, where earthing is mandatory.

Most appliances here only have 2 core cable, and sometimes an earth pin, which is not connected to anything but fresh air.

Not that it matters until the Earth leakage jobby in your fuse box (OK, Consumer Unit) decides to go on strike.

13 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I did read somewhere on AN that the Thais regard their electricity supply is different than the rest of the World, where earthing is mandatory.

Most appliances here only have 2 core cable, and sometimes an earth pin, which is not connected to anything but fresh air.

Not that it matters until the Earth leakage jobby in your fuse box (OK, Consumer Unit) decides to go on strike.

Solar inverter, doesn't work with an earth, just live and neutral out, not allowed to earth the neutral. But if the outgoing current doesn't match the return current it's off before your finger even feels the tingle. My niece tried it one night, woke me up the alarm was so loud, was surprised at how safe the piece of cheap Chinese junk was.

8 hours ago, jacko45k said:

A surge of 24% is not taking off?

It depends what it was before it "took off".

A 24% increase on 1 million Baht is chicken feed but on 1 billion baht it's significant.

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Solar inverter, doesn't work with an earth, just live and neutral out, not allowed to earth the neutral. But if the outgoing current doesn't match the return current it's off before your finger even feels the tingle. My niece tried it one night, woke me up the alarm was so loud, was surprised at how safe the piece of cheap Chinese junk was.

OK, take my comments as being about us poor ones who cannot, or do not want solar power.

On the normal grid electricity, is the earth not connected to the neutral every other pole.

3 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

On the normal grid electricity, is the earth not connected to the neutral every other pole.

Yes it is, but it is quite possibly not responsible for the 24% "jump" in exports.

9 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

A 24% increase on 1 million Baht is chicken feed

May be for you, but not in my World.

2 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

Yes it is, but it is quite possibly not responsible for the 24% "jump" in exports.

Agreed, slightly off topic, but triggered by an earlier mention of Thai electricity and appliances not being safe due to lack of earthing. Sorry, GROUNDING if you are from over there

Maybe keep some AI material in the land, there is dire need of it literally everywhere .......

7 hours ago, wil iam not said:

ALL? I have things with metal casings, PC, breadmaker, oven, microwave........enough?

The rules in Europe and UK say that sockets MUST be earthed. Lucky to find 3 core cable here!

If you shop around, you can find 3-core cable. I have some, but as has been said, it helps if you have good RCDs.

11 hours ago, incnoi said:

I think a lot of this is attributed to transshipping, Thailand has been very lax on this and many Chinese factories moved their production here to circumvent tariffs.

Jeeze, man, the guy in the article denied it!

17 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He rejected suggestions that the gains were due to transshipments of Chinese goods to the US via Thailand.

12 hours ago, incnoi said:

I think a lot of this is attributed to transshipping, Thailand has been very lax on this and many Chinese factories moved their production here to circumvent tariffs.

Data center demand for hard disk drives (HDDs) has surged due to the AI boom, causing major supply shortages and price increases, with top manufacturers Seagate and Western Digital reporting their manufacturing capacity is nearly fully booked for 2026.

Both Seagate and Western Digital assemble hard disk drives exclusively in Thailand.

They are the major contributors of 24% "jump" in exports.

16 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Thailand can move beyond tourism and agriculture.

Tourism is often mentioned as the kingpin, but THailand has other facets. Vehicles is a big one too. Tourism is below 20% of GDP.

15 hours ago, Muhendis said:

It depends what it was before it "took off".

A 24% increase on 1 million Baht is chicken feed but on 1 billion baht it's significant.

Yes, but THailand is not coming from such a low point as say Vietnam or Cambodia might. Accept the point that relative comparisons need to be thought about and are usually presented to exaggerate.

16 hours ago, wil iam not said:

ALL? I have things with metal casings, PC, breadmaker, oven, microwave........enough?

True, but I have bought some items where there is an earth wire, but it is not incorporporated into the power plug, but a seperate wire fixed to a small bolt on the frame, that gets left unconnected.