BANGKOK, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's exports expanded for the 20th consecutive month in February, led by growth in electronics and electrical appliances, which was bolstered by AI-driven technological advancements and geopolitical supply chain shifts, official data showed on Tuesday.
Exports, a key driver of the Southeast Asian country's economic growth, amounted to 29.44 billion U.S. dollars year-on-year last month with a growth rate of 9.9 percent, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The data also showed that imports grew by 31.8 percent to 32.27 billion dollars in February from a year earlier, resulting in a trade deficit of 2.83 billion dollars.
For the first two months of 2026, Thai exports increased by 17.0 percent to 61.01 billion dollars while imports increased by 30.5 percent to 67.15 billion dollars, yielding in a trade deficit of 6.14 billion dollars.
Thailand's export outlook for 2026 is projected to maintain its growth momentum despite global geopolitical risks, the ministry said in a statement.
The statement also indicated that the prolonged security situation in the Strait of Hormuz, however, continues to impact energy prices, production, and logistics costs, thereby weakening the purchasing power of Thailand's trading partners.
In response, the ministry is set to map out strategies, including driving food exports during the crisis and diversifying into new markets, to mitigate nationwide consequences and seize emerging opportunities. ■
