Thailand's AI‑driven export surge hits record as trade deficit widens

Thailand is projecting a record $366.8 billion in total exports for 2026, driven largely by AI‑related electronics such as integrated circuits, hard‑disk drives and other data‑center components destined for the United States and China. Export growth accelerated early in the year, with a 24.4 % year‑on‑year rise in January and a 23.1 % increase in April. TPSO director‑general Nantapong Chiralerspong said the boom reflects both global AI investment and a shift of production away from China.

At the same time, imports have surged, pushing the trade balance into a deficit of $25.2 billion over the first five months of 2026 (exports $162.1 billion, imports $187.3 billion). The rise in imports is linked to foreign‑direct investment in machinery, equipment and components for new factories and data‑center projects. While the electronics sector compensates for weakness in traditional exports such as automobiles and appliances, the widening deficit could pressure the baht and highlights Thailand’s growing reliance on a narrow set of high‑tech products.

The United States remains Thailand’s biggest export destination, up 33.5 % year‑on‑year, with the EU and Japan also holding strong positions. Exports to China and several regional markets have slipped, reflecting softer demand there.