Thailand Exports Surge 24.3% Amid AI Demand and Tariff Fears

Thailand's outbound shipments grew 24.3% in August, the strongest growth rate in 56 months. This surge was primarily driven by global AI infrastructure spending and a 48.7% increase in exports to the United States. The growth narrowed the national trade deficit to US$2.5 billion.

While the Ministry of Commerce forecasts record exports for the year, officials warn that this momentum may be difficult to sustain in 2027. Factors contributing to this risk include high oil prices, elevated inventories, and the front-loading of orders by companies attempting to avoid tariff uncertainty.

Thailand is currently negotiating with the United States to reduce its 12.5% Section 301 tariff to 10%, matching the rate applied to Indonesia and Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Customs Department of Thailand reported that approximately 0.04% of exports to the U.S. falsely claimed Thai origin to evade these tariffs.