Thai exports hit historic high in June

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's exports soared to a record high in June, helping reinvigorate an economy still recovering from weeks of bloody political protests, government figures showed Wednesday.

Shipments leapt 46.3 percent from a year earlier to 18.04 billion dollars, the highest level since records began in 1976, the Commerce Ministry said.

Exports of agricultural products and industrial goods were particularly strong, enabling the country to post a June trade surplus of 2.32 billion dollars. Imports rose 37.9 percent year-on-year to 15.72 billion dollars.

Strong overseas demand is helping to boost the Thai economy after the negative impact of two months of anti-government protests in Bangkok that inflicted a heavy blow on the vital tourism sector.

The central bank last week raised interest rates for the first time since 2008, saying that the economic impact of the unrest had been relatively limited, with the tourism sector showing signs of a quick rebound.

The mass rally, which brought parts of the capital to a standstill and forced some hotels and shopping centres to close temporarily, sparked violence that left 90 people dead, ending in a bloody army crackdown in May.

The government now forecasts exports growth of 19 percent this year, better than previously expected, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-21

I wonder how much of this is seafood to replace what is no longer coming from the Gulf of Mexico.