China · Nation Thailand
Thailand’s trade deficit with China rises 59.31% on import surge
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Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, released the findings of the chamber’s confidence index survey for the fourth quarter of 2026. Conducted from August 18 to August 20, the survey covered 503 respondents and found that 46.2% expected Thailand’s economy to grow by 1.5-2% this year, while 37.8% forecast growth of 2-2.5%. The results pointed to an outlook below the government’s midpoint forecast of 2.2%.
Key facts
- The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that the Thai economy expanded by 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from 2.8% in the same quarter a year earlier
- In the first half of 2026, exports rose by 18%, but imports increased by 38%, leaving Thailand with a trade deficit of about 12 billion dollars
- Thailand-China trade was worth 108.804 billion dollars in the first seven months of 2026, up 29.89%
- However, 47.8% of respondents considered the widening deficit acceptable because the imports were intended for investment and the production of goods for export
- Another 28.1% believed the deficit had risen to a worrying level.
- Thai exports to China reached 26.837 billion dollars, an increase of 9.17%, while imports from China rose by 38.49%
Summary
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that the Thai economy expanded by 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from 2.8% in the same quarter a year earlier. Private investment across the technology, digital and new-industry sectors, together with exports of technology products and electronic components, were key drivers.
However, imports of equipment and components used to manufacture goods and support investment in digital industries increased sharply, leaving Thailand with a continuing trade deficit since the first quarter of this year.