Exports rose for a fourth straight month in June, beating expectations, due to stronger demand from major markets, suggesting the economy was gaining momentum. Customs-cleared shipments rose 11.7% in June from a year earlier after May's 12.7% rise, commerce ministry data showed on Thursday. The ministry has forecast exports will rise 5% this year after a 0.5% gain last year, the first annual growth in four years. Imports in June increased 13.7% from a year earlier, compared with the forecast of an 11.2% increase. A trade surplus of $1.92 billion was seen in June, compared with a poll forecast of a $1.3-billion surplus.

Source: Bangkok Post July 20, 2017 08:26 UTC