Thai exports shrank for a 10th consecutive month in July, and at a far bigger rate than expected, as global demand remains sluggish, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.
Customs-based exports, a key driver of Thailand's economy, contracted 6.2% in July from the same month a year earlier, compared with analysts' average estimated dip of 0.75% in a Reuters poll.
Thailand posted a trade deficit US$1.98 billion in July versus a forecast deficit of $1.3 billion, with imports sliding 11.1% year-on-year.
In the January-July period, exports contracted 5.5% from a year earlier, imports fell 4.7% and the trade deficit stood at $8.29 billion.
The July exports value was $22.14 billion.
Keerati Rushchano, the ministry's permanent secretary, told a press briefing the slump in Thai exports was less than that of many other countries.
He said the ministry would try to meet the annual export growth target of 1% to 2% this year, noting that would be difficult.
"Despite July's export fall, the big picture in terms of value, we are not bad," Mr Keerati said.