Thailand's customs-based exports unexpectedly increased 2.1% in September from a year earlier, helped by higher shipments of rice and farm products, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday, despite sluggish global demand.
The reading compared with a forecast for a 1.75% year-on-year drop for September in a Reuters poll, and followed August's 2.6% increase.
In September, Thailand posted a trade surplus of $2.1 billion, compared with a forecast surplus of $0.49 billion, while imports fell 8.3% year-on-year.
Last month, the ministry predicted exports would be flat or down by 1% this year. In the January-September period, exports contracted 3.8% year-on-year while imports dropped 6.0% and the trade deficit stood at $5.8 billion.