The total value of border-trade exports rose 0.31% year-on-year to 321 billion baht while corresponding imports rose 4.94% to 256 billion baht in the first five months of this year, for a 65-billion-baht trade surplus.
Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, announced the figures on Friday.
Breaking down the figures, he said direct cross-border exports from Thailand to four neighbouring countries were valued at 262.97 billion baht, down 3.15%. Imports from the four neighbouring countries amounted to 203.56 billion baht, up 5.82%. The result was a trade surplus of 59.41 billion baht.
Transit cargoes to three neighbouring countries were estimated at 58.37 billion baht, up 19.54%, and transit imports at 52.49 billion baht, up 1.66%, for a surplus of 5.87 billion baht, Mr Adul said.
Malaysia was the biggest partner for border trade, followed by Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. China was the biggest partner for trade in transit cargoes, followed by Vietnam and Singapore, Mr Adul said.
Negative impacts on border trade in May and June were the baht's appreciation, global economic slowdown and the trade war. Exports of rubber and rubber products to Malaysia were seriously affected, Mr Adul said.
Border trade with Laos and Myanmar was also slowing down. At the same time border trade with Cambodia soared by 21.56%, noticeably with the export of non-alcoholic beverages, automobiles and parts, he said.