BANGKOK, June 26 – Thailand’s exports dropped 5.25 per cent in May to a total value at US$19.83 billion due to the global economic slowdown, Permanent Secretary for Commerce Vatchari Vimuktayon said today.
Export declines in the industrial sector included electronics, electrical appliances and jewellery was 0.9 per cent, agriculture sector including rice, rubber and tapioca products 16.4 per cent.
She said January-May exports were US$94.2 billion, a 1.86 per cent increase while imports in May were US$22.1 billion, down 2.14 per cent.
Imports in the energy sector increased by 4.1 per cent but the capital products sector shrank by 1.9 per cent in May while imports totalled US$108 billion in value in January-May, a 5.70 per cent increase.
Thailand’s trade deficit was worth US$2.3 billion in May and US$13.8 billion in the first five months of this year, Ms Vatchari said, adding that the appreciating baht was another reason for the export decline in May.
She was optimistic that the country’s export would improve this month thanks to an appropriate exchange rate at Bt30.5/31.5 against the dollar.
The 2013 export target remains unchanged at US$245-246 billion or 7-7.5 per cent.
