The Customs Department announced revenue collection exceeding 600 billion baht, highlighting a 53% surge in gold imports that has caused Thailand to face a currency deficit. The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand are closely monitoring and supervising the situation.
Phanthong Loikulanun, Director-General of the Customs Department, stated that the department plays a key role in driving the country's economy through three main functions: 1. Revenue collection with efficient, transparent, and fair mechanisms; 2. Social protection ensuring safety, security, and national stability; and 3. Trade facilitation using customs measures to ease processes and stimulate economic growth.
Regarding revenue collection from 1 October 2025 to 21 September 2026, Thailand's international trade was valued at over 24 trillion baht. The Customs Department collected a total revenue of 631.411 billion baht, an increase of 57.024 billion baht or 9.9% compared to the previous year. Customs revenue accounted for 112.528 billion baht, up by 1.358 billion baht or 1.2%, while revenue collected on behalf of other agencies totaled 518.883 billion baht, an increase of 55.666 billion baht or 12%, including 411.131 billion baht for the Revenue Department, 56.428 billion baht for Excise Department, and 51.324 billion baht for the Ministry of Interior.
Since 1 January 2026, the department has collected import taxes on goods valued from 1 baht upwards, generating over 8 billion baht in revenue. This measure promotes fairness and enhances the competitiveness of domestic small businesses equally.
"The total tax collection of 631.411 billion baht results from Thailand's international trade valued over 24 trillion baht, expected to surpass 25 trillion baht by year-end. The top five highest-value imported items are:"
Integrated circuits valued at 1.74 trillion baht
Crude oil valued at 1.08 trillion baht
Gold valued at 901.114 billion baht
Communication equipment and components valued at 536.956 billion baht
Natural gas valued at 294.081 billion baht
Gold imports, growing by 53%, are a key concern causing Thailand's currency deficit. The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand are urgently exploring regulatory measures for the domestic gold industry. Whether to impose taxes depends on government policy. Currently, some countries have begun taxing gold, such as India at 15% and Malaysia at 10%.
In its social protection role, the Customs Department strictly and continuously enforces customs and related laws, seizing illegal goods and detecting tax evasion in 58,705 cases valued over 4.75 billion baht. Key achievements include intercepting narcotics such as ice, heroin, methamphetamine pills, ketamine, and cocaine in 282 cases totaling more than 1,221.14 kilograms, worth over 1.488 billion baht. Additionally, it seized illegal cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and related equipment in 3,519 cases totaling over 94 million items, valued at more than 530 million baht.
Furthermore, the department increased penalties for smuggling cannabis and for importing or exporting counterfeit origin goods to deter offenses, protect the country's image, and build trust with trade partners. These efforts show that the Customs Department's mission goes beyond revenue collection; it serves as a frontline guardian protecting the people, society, and national security.
In promoting trade, the Customs Department has adopted technology and data to develop risk management systems that improve accuracy in cargo screening, reduce unnecessary inspections of low-risk shipments, and focus resources on high-risk items. The department also collaborates closely with the private sector, operators, and all stakeholders through key projects such as upgrading the Thailand National Single Window system to enhance electronic data exchange at a single point, alongside developing the Electronic Delivery Order (e-D/O) system and the Customs e-Invoicing Plus project to reduce procedures and burdens on operators, laying the foundation for the country's digital trade ecosystem.
Additionally, the department has developed an electronic transshipment system for maritime cargo to shorten processing times and steps, revised regulations for river container transport vessels carrying export goods (specific zone vessels) to allow them to pick up export containers at Laem Chabang Port, enhancing transport efficiency. It has also upgraded new Tariff e-Service systems and other electronic services to provide operators with convenient, fast, and transparent customs services, thereby lowering trade costs and strengthening the country's sustainable competitiveness.
The Customs Department is advancing into a modern technology-driven organization to adapt to rapidly changing global trade contexts. It plans to implement AI-Driven Risk Management systems to support more accurate and targeted cargo screening and inspection, reducing discretionary decisions, minimizing direct contact with officials, and lowering corruption and bribery risks, which will enhance trade facilitation in line with international standards and effectively support digital-era commerce.
At the same time, the department emphasizes upgrading organizational governance to support
Thailand's preparations to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by 2028. It has revised customs regulations regarding payment of bribes and rewards, eliminating senior executives' rights to receive rewards, and is pushing to cancel reward payments for customs officers at all levels. The goal is to enhance transparency, reduce conflicts of interest, and build confidence among businesses, investors, and the public, forming a crucial foundation to develop an effective, transparent Thai customs system ready for future global trade.
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