Thai Border Trade Hits Record 1.76 Trillion Baht in Nine Months, Eyeing 2 Trillion
Driven by booming transit shipments of fresh durian and high-tech electronics, Thailand is firmly on track to surpass its two-trillion-baht annual goal
- Thailand's border and transit trade hit a record 1.76 trillion baht in the first nine months of the year, an 18.8% year-on-year increase.
- This performance puts the country on track to surpass its annual goal of 2 trillion baht for the full year.
- The record growth was primarily driven by a surge in transit trade, especially exports of fresh durian and high-tech electronics like computers and telephone equipment.
- China remained the largest transit trade partner, while Malaysia was the top direct border trade partner, with significant growth also seen with Singapore and Vietnam.
Driven by booming transit shipments of fresh durian and high-tech electronics, Thailand is firmly on track to surpass its two-trillion-baht annual goal.
Thailand’s border and transit trade surged to an all-time high of 1.76 trillion baht during the first nine months of 2026, putting the Kingdom firmly on track to surpass its two-trillion-baht target for the full year.
According to Thansettakij, Department of Foreign Trade Director-General Arada Fuangtong reported that total border and transit trade from January to September reached 1,764,312 million baht, marking a 18.8% year-on-year increase.
Exports climbed 16.6% to 978,105 million baht, while imports rose 21.6% to 786,207 million baht, yielding a cumulative trade surplus of 191,898 million baht.
Transit Trade Breaks One-Trillion-Baht Barrier
The primary catalyst behind the record-breaking performance was transit trade to third countries, which surpassed the one-trillion-baht milestone in the first three quarters. Growth was anchored by surging global demand for technology hardware and high-value agricultural produce.
Exports of computers and related equipment jumped 134.5% to 52,165 million baht. Meanwhile, fresh durian retained its crown as Thailand’s leading transit export, rising 30.4% in value to 136,459 million baht, with shipment volumes expanding 34.6% to exceed 1.11 million tonnes.
The figures underscore Thailand’s dual strength as both an agricultural powerhouse and a vital regional link in global electronics supply chains.
China Leads Transit Markets as Singapore and Vietnam Soar
China remained Thailand’s largest transit trade partner, with total two-way trade climbing 25.1% to 585,834 million baht. Thai exports to China rose 13.4% to 283,753 million baht, heavily propelled by fresh durian shipments worth 136,424 million baht (up 30.4%).
Roughly 91.7% of all Thai fresh durian exported to China moved via transit routes through five key customs checkpoints: Nakhon Phanom, Chiang Khong, Nong Khai, Mukdahan, and Chiang Saen. Elsewhere in the region, transit trade with Singapore and Vietnam recorded dramatic expansion: Singapore: Total trade nearly doubled, surging 99% to 216,245 million baht. Exports skyrocketed 162.3% to 164,164 million baht, driven by telephone sets and equipment (up 703.9% to 68,463 million baht) and computers and components (up 314.9% to 34,986 million baht). Vietnam: Total transit trade expanded 79% to 108,612 million baht, with Thai exports growing 42.8% to 44,100 million baht. Malaysia Tops Direct Border Trade; Neighbours Show Recovery Among direct border trade partners, Malaysia emerged as the standout performer, with total trade jumping 30.2% to 307,351 million baht. Growth was fuelled by electronics shipments, including computers and parts (up 59.1% to 12,891 million baht), printed circuit boards (up 109.1% to 10,604 million baht), and electrical transformers and components (up 88.6% to 6,724 million baht). Trade along other neighbouring borders also showed signs of stabilisation. Border trade with Lao PDR edged back into positive territory, rising 0.2% to 223,467 million baht, while trade with Myanmar began recovering in August, posting positive growth after 12 consecutive months of contraction.
Streamlined Logistics Fuel Year-End Optimism
The Department of Foreign Trade attributed the robust expansion to proactive trade facilitation and close public-private cooperation—including digitised export documentation, streamlined customs procedures, and upgraded road and rail links connecting Thailand, Laos, and China, which have significantly cut transit times for perishable goods.
Backed by strong momentum from the first nine months and anticipated fourth-quarter demand during year-end peak export seasons, officials expressed confidence that full-year border and transit trade will comfortably exceed two trillion baht—reinforcing Thailand’s status as ASEAN’s logistics hub while channelling vital revenue to border entrepreneurs and farmers nationwide.
