Thailand-ASEAN trade up

Thailand-ASEAN trade up

BANGKOK (AFP): Trade between Thailand and ASEAN increased 13.4 percent in the first five months this year compared to the same period last year, according to a Commerce Ministry statement received by AFP.

The ministry's Business Economics Department reported that total trade for the five month period was 223.85 billion baht (US$8.95 billion), with Thailand showing a surplus of 16.67 billion baht in its trade with the other six ASEAN members.

However, while Thai exports to ASEAN countries were up 11.6 percent at 120. 25 billion baht, they were still outstripped by import growth of 15.5 percent to 103.58 billion baht.

ASEAN consists Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Among the biggest export increases were computers, up 41.8 percent to 31. 86 billion baht, sugar (129.8 percent to 9.68 billion baht) and rice (66.43 percent to 7.24 billion baht).