Thailand Faces 12th Consecutive Month of Trade Deficit
Former commerce official Worawong Ramangkoon warns that Thailand's persistent trade deficit is hindering economic growth, with a cumulative shortfall of 1.4 trillion baht in the first nine months of 2026.
According to a report by Khaosod Online, Worawong Ramangkoon, a former assistant to the Minister of Commerce, has expressed significant concern regarding Thailand's ongoing trade imbalance. Data indicates that Thailand recorded a trade deficit of 5.856 billion USD in September 2026, marking the 12th consecutive month of deficits since October 2025.
For the first nine months of 2026 (January to September), the cumulative trade deficit reached approximately 43.693 billion USD, or roughly 1.4 trillion baht. Worawong highlighted that the country has not seen a single month of trade surplus during this period, with April 2026 recording a record-high deficit of 10.021 billion USD. He suggested that if Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul aims to achieve economic growth exceeding 2.1%, addressing and reducing this trade deficit is essential, as the current figures are reportedly causing Thailand to lag behind other regional economies.
For residents and travelers, this economic trend may signal potential volatility in currency exchange rates or shifts in the cost of imported goods. While these figures provide a clear picture of the current trade climate, it remains to be confirmed what specific policy measures the government will implement to reverse this trend and whether these economic pressures will lead to broader fiscal adjustments in the coming months.
