Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director-general of the ministry's trade policy and strategy office, said exports in June rose 11.7% to US$20.3 billion (683 billion baht). In the first half, exports rose by 7.8% to $114 billion as imports gained 15% to reach $107 billion. The Commerce Ministry has forecast export growth of 5% this year after last year's 0.5%, which was the first annual growth in four years. Ms Pimchanok said exports should continue to rise through the rest of the year, supported by the recovering economies of Thailand's big trading partners. "There are volatile exchange rates and possible protectionist policies from major export markets such as the US," Ms Pimchanok said.

Source: Bangkok Post July 21, 2017 00:00 UTC