According to Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, exports are likely to fetch US$260 billion this year, down from $270 billion projected earlier. Imports shrank 1.1% in the same period to $80 billion, yielding a trade surplus of $550 million for the period. The ministry said earlier that Thailand's export trends were aligned with global sentiment and those of other Asian countries, making export prospects murky because of the escalating trade war. Thailand needs to find new trading partners and rev up manufacturing of EVs, the ministry said. "Japan and CLMV are also important export markets that can help cushion the impact of the ongoing trade row."

Source: Bangkok Post May 31, 2019 23:03 UTC