Bangkok: Border and transit trade in Thailand for the first half of 2026 surpassed 1.12 trillion baht, marking a 10.4% growth over the same period in the previous year. Thailand has sustained a trade surplus exceeding 140 billion baht, with June alone contributing 219 billion baht to the total trade value, witnessing a 16.3% growth. A notable achievement during this period is the return to positive growth in border trade for the first time in 13 months.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of International Trade, reported that June 2026 saw a total of 219,956 million baht in border and transit trade, reflecting a 16.3% increase compared to last year. This figure includes exports worth 124,923 million baht, an 8.1% rise, and imports valued at 95,033 million baht, a 29.0% jump. Consequently, Thailand registered a trade surplus of 29,890 million baht in June 2026. Cumulatively, for the first half of 2026, the border trade and transit trade amounted to 1,129,491 million baht, comprising exports valued at 635,699 million baht and imports at 493,791 million baht, resulting in a trade surplus of 141,908 million baht.
A significant contributor to the growth in June was border trade with Malaysia, which surged by 48.4% to reach 38,201 million baht. The key export and import commodities included electronics such as computers and circuit boards, alongside concentrated latex. Laos also showed a 12.8% increase. However, trade with Cambodia stalled, as all 18 border checkpoints remained closed.
Cross-border trade to third countries maintained robust growth in June, increasing by 24.7% to exceed 140 billion baht, with China remaining the top market at 73 billion baht.
An impressive rise was observed in transit exports to Singapore, which grew by 178.9% to surpass 25 billion baht. Products showing rapid growth included telephones and related equipment, with a 770.2% increase, and computer equipment such as routers and network switches, which rose by 608.8%.
The highest-earning transit export product in June was fresh durian, valued at 18,339 million baht, followed closely by mobile phones and computer equipment.