Cross-border trade in 2025 reached a record high of over 1.04 trillion baht, an increase of 24.4%, driving the total value of border and cross-border trade to grow 6.7%, surpassing 1.93 trillion baht.
Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade. She revealed that the total value of border and cross-border trade for 2025 was 1,937.629 billion baht, expanding 6.7% compared to the previous year. Exports accounted for 1,063.104 billion baht (+1.4%) and imports 874.525 billion baht (+14.0%). Thailand recorded a trade surplus of 188.579 billion baht in 2025.
Border trade with four neighboring countries in 2025 totaled 894.193 billion baht (-8.5%), with exports at 522.007 billion baht (-13.3%) and imports at 372.186 billion baht (-0.7%). Thailand maintained a trade surplus of 149.822 billion baht. Border trade with Malaysia was the highest at 315.095 billion baht (+2.8%).
Next were Laos at 293.399 billion baht (+2.4%), Myanmar at 193.663 billion baht (-7.4%), and Cambodia at 92.037 billion baht (-47.3%). Key border export products in 2025 included diesel oil worth 36.155 billion baht (-11.9%), other refined oils at 15.932 billion baht (-18.6%), and other agricultural industrial products (such as infant milk powder, soybean meal, cigarettes) totaling 13.750 billion baht (-4.6%). Important border imports included other fuels (e.g., electricity) at 78.829 billion baht (+4.7%), natural gas at 51.771 billion baht (-20.6%), and vegetables and vegetable-based seasonings (e.g., cassava and cassava products) at 22.991 billion baht (-2.4%).
The customs checkpoints with the highest border trade value in 2025 were Sadao Customs House at 248.890 billion baht (+3.9%), followed by Nong Khai Customs House at 98.952 billion baht (+8.2%) and Mae Sot Customs House at 78.284 billion baht (+3.0%).
Regarding cross-border trade with third countries in 2025, the total value was 1,043.436 billion baht (+24.4%), with exports of 541.097 billion baht (+21.2%) and imports of 502.339 billion baht (+28.0%). Thailand had a trade surplus of 38.757 billion baht. Cross-border trade with China was the highest at 608.165 billion baht (+26.7%), followed by Singapore at 151.988 billion baht (+37.7%) and Vietnam at 88.480 billion baht (+22.8%).
Key cross-border export products in 2025 included fresh durian at 109.974 billion baht (+11.4%), hard disk drives at 103.572 billion baht (+18.3%), and TSNR rubber sheets at 33.926 billion baht (-13.9%). Important cross-border imports included magnetic tapes and computer disks valued at 60.759 billion baht (+29.0%).
Computers and accessories totaled 39.870 billion baht (+2.8%), and radio receivers, telegraphs, and televisions reached 35.972 billion baht (+19.2%). The customs checkpoint with the highest cross-border trade value in 2025 was Mukdahan Customs House at 418.605 billion baht (+38.5%), followed by Sadao Customs House at 233.412 billion baht (+9.8%) and Nakhon Phanom Customs House at 128.916 billion baht (+27.6%).
Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade. She stated that in 2025, border trade with neighboring countries faced significant challenges from the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, which led to border crossing closures and a sharp contraction in trade. Additionally, unrest in Myanmar and stricter import controls on goods coming from the Thai border into Myanmar caused border trade to slow throughout the second half of the year. Nonetheless, cross-border trade grew substantially by 24.4%, totaling over 1.04 trillion baht, a record high.
As a result, overall border and cross-border trade still expanded well by 6.7%, with a total trade value exceeding 1.93 trillion baht. In 2026, cross-border trade is expected to remain a key driver and continue growing, especially in electronics products due to rising global demand and ongoing investment growth in Thailand’s electronics industry and data centers. Meanwhile, border trade remains fragile due to the Thai-Cambodian border situation, with concerns about possible clashes and no expected reopening of checkpoints soon. Similarly, uncertainty persists in Myanmar due to government and ethnic minority clashes, and Myanmar’s trade measures have led to the closure of the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge 2 border checkpoint (Mae Sot–Myawaddy) since 18 August 2025.
The Department of Foreign Trade plans to hold six border trade fairs in fiscal year 2026 across six provinces: Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok, Chanthaburi, and Sa Kaeo. These fairs aim to stimulate border trade economy and create trade opportunities to compensate for losses related to Cambodia. The department will coordinate with the private sector and affected agricultural groups, as well as relevant ministry agencies, to tailor activities for target groups. Entrepreneurs can participate in exhibitions, sales, and business matching without fees. The department will prioritize inviting up to 50% of booths for entrepreneurs affected by trade issues with Cambodia at each event.
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