Citing Commerce Ministry data, the Bangkok Post reported, quoting Bloomberg, that exports jumped 24.4% year-on-year last month, while imports soared 29.4%.
Both figures exceeded even the most optimistic estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists and marked the fastest pace of growth since late 2021.
The sharp rise in exports was attributed primarily to renewed global demand for electronics linked to artificial intelligence and data centre expansion, rather than any increase in transshipment of Chinese goods to the US via Thailand.
Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office at the Commerce Ministry, said the surge reflected an “upcycle” in global electronics demand.
Speaking at a ministry briefing, Mr Nantapong also confirmed that Thailand would continue trade discussions with the US after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down most of former President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. Mr Trump has since proposed a new 15% levy aimed at maintaining pressure on trading partners.
“We need to continue talking to them, to show that we are cooperating,” Mr Nantapong said. “We are running a high trade surplus against the US, so they could come up with any measures later.”
Trade data showed Thailand recorded a US$4.8 billion (B148,6bn) surplus with the United States in January, while posting a US$7.2 billion trade (B222.912bn) deficit with China.
The stronger-than-expected trade figures are likely to provide a boost for caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose Bhumjaithai Party recently secured a coalition agreement following a stronger-than-anticipated election performance.
Anutin has pledged to accelerate economic growth, which has lagged behind several other major Southeast Asian economies in recent years. The latest trade data may offer early support for that agenda, particularly if momentum in electronics exports is sustained in the coming quarters.