Exports set a new monthly high at US$21,812 million in September, rising 12.2% year-on-year, and export growth in the first nine months of the year peaked was the best in six years.
Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said on Thursday the value of exports in September was the highest on record. Exports had now grown for seven months in a row.
At the same time imports amounted to $18,454 million, resulting in a trade surplus of $3,358 million.
From January to September, exports were worth $175,435 million, rising 9.3%. This was the fastest growth in six years. The value of imports stood at $163,204 million, for a trade surplus of $12,231 million over the period.
She expected export growth of 8% throughout 2017.
Mrs Apiradi gave credit for the improvement to her ministry's marketing campaigns, global economic recovery, the improving economies of trading partners, rising prices of commodities, stable prices of oil, and increasing exports of sugar, natural rubber and chicken.
The baht's appreciation to about 33 baht to the US dollar should not affect total exports this year, she said. Orders and prices had already been settled through to the end of the year.