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Cross-Border Trade Surges 41.4% in March

Cross-Border Trade Surges 41.4% in March

Matichon•Economy•17d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's cross-border and transit trade experienced significant growth in March 2026, driven by strong performance with China, Vietnam, and Laos, alongside key adjustments in border pass operations.

  • •Cross-border and transit trade in March 2026 saw a 6.5% increase, reaching 178,320 million baht.
  • •Transit trade alone surged by 41.4% to 105,631 million baht, with notable contributions from China, Vietnam, and Singapore.
  • •Border passes between Thailand and Myanmar were reduced following a Cabinet resolution on December 16, 2025, impacting the total number of operational border crossings.
  • •Imports of electronic components including computer parts and smartphones saw substantial growth.

Overview

  • •Arada Fuangtong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, revealed the trade figures.
  • •Total cross-border and transit trade in March 2026 amounted to 178,320 million baht, a 6.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
  • •Transit trade with third countries in March 2026 reached 105,631 million baht, a 41.4% increase.
  • •Imports of electronic goods, including computer parts and smartphones, saw significant growth of 47.4% in March 2026.
  • •On March 13, 2026, the Department of Foreign Trade announced trade data for March 2026.
  • •On December 16, 2025, the Cabinet resolved to close two border passes between Thailand and Myanmar in Chiang Rai province.
  • •Two border passes in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai, were closed on March 26, 2026.
  • •The closure of border passes resulted in a reduction of operational border crossings from 94 to 92 in total.

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Key Quotes

Arada Fuangtong
"Cross-border trade in March 2026 expanded by a high of 41.4%, with trade value exceeding 100 billion baht. It expanded in both exports and imports, especially imports which grew 47.4% in key electronics products."
การค้าผ่านแดนในเดือนมีนาคม 2026 ขยายตัวสูงถึง 41.4% มูลค่าการค้าทะลุ 1 แสนล้านบาท โดยขยายตัวทั้งการส่งออกและการนำเข้า โดยเฉพาะการนำเข้าที่ขยายตัว 47.4% ในสินค้าสำคัญในกลุ่มอิเล็กทรอนิกส์

Key Entities

Person

Arada Fuangtong(นางอารดา เฟื่องทอง)
Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, who announced the cross-border trade figures.

Organization

Department of Foreign Trade(กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ)
The government department responsible for announcing Thailand's foreign trade statistics.
Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)
The government ministry overseeing commercial activities and trade in Thailand.
Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)
The body that made the resolution to close border passes between Thailand and Myanmar.

Place

China(จีน)ℹ️
A key trading partner with Thailand, contributing significantly to cross-border and transit trade.
Vietnam(เวียดนาม)ℹ️
A significant trading partner with Thailand, notably contributing to transit trade growth.
Laos(ลาว)ℹ️
A neighboring country with which Thailand conducts border trade.
Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️
A neighboring country with which Thailand conducts border trade, showing the highest value in border trade.
Myanmar(เมียนมา)ℹ️
A neighboring country with which Thailand conducts border trade, subject to border pass closures.
Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️
A neighboring country with which Thailand conducts border trade, with all border crossings currently closed.
Singapore(สิงคโปร์)ℹ️
A country contributing to Thailand's transit trade, showing significant growth.
Chiang Rai Province(จังหวัดเชียงราย)
The province where border passes to Myanmar were announced to be closed.
Mae Sai District(อำเภอแม่สาย)
The district in Chiang Rai Province where specific border passes to Myanmar are located.

Timeline

December 16, 2025(วันที่ 16 ธันวาคม 2025)
The date on which the Cabinet made a resolution regarding border pass closures.
March 26(วันที่ 26 มีนาคม)
The date on which Chiang Rai Province announced the closure of specific border passes to Myanmar.