Thai Commerce Ministry Projects Export Surge Following Myanmar Earthquake
Increased demand for Thai construction materials and goods expected as Myanmar recovers from recent seismic events.
The Thai Commerce Ministry has announced expectations for a significant increase in demand for exports following a devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
This natural disaster is anticipated to drive Thai exports, especially in sectors related to construction materials and consumer goods.
Arada Fuangthong, the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, expressed optimism for trade growth from April onward as Myanmar embarks on rebuilding efforts to recover from the quake's extensive destruction.
Initial assessments from provincial commercial offices along the Thai-Myanmar border indicate that transport routes remain intact, with no reports of bridge closures, which is critical for maintaining supply chains during this expected trade surge.
This development comes on the heels of a 2.44% decline in Thai-Myanmar border trade in February, amounting to 17.773 billion baht.
This decline was primarily attributed to crackdowns on criminal activities, including call centre scams, that had disrupted export activities.
In contrast, in the first two months of 2025, bi-lateral trade between Thailand and Myanmar achieved a total of 36.860 billion baht, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period in the prior year.
The anticipated uptick in exports is poised to revitalize cross-border trade, giving hope to officials that it will contribute to achieving Thailand’s annual trade objectives.
In a related development, Airports of Thailand (AOT) confirmed the operational status of its six airports, including major hubs such as Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, following comprehensive inspections post-earthquake.
AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat reported that these inspections evaluated passenger terminals, runways, and critical infrastructure, confirming that all facilities are safe and operational.
The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 8.2 and struck on March 28, was felt widely across Bangkok, causing noticeable tremors, especially in high-rise buildings.
Among them, the Baiyoke Sky tower—the tallest building in Thailand—was monitored closely for structural integrity.
Management stated that while the building swayed during the tremors, no significant damage or cracks were found after thorough inspections were conducted.
Baiyoke Sky management confirmed that its design includes earthquake-resistant features, allowing controlled swaying during seismic events to mitigate damage.
Precautionary evacuation procedures were executed during the tremors but were reported to be completed safely with all guests accounted for.
Meanwhile, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) stated that its operations in the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar are unaffected by the recent earthquake.
PTTEP confirmed that its natural gas production remains uninterrupted and emphasized its commitment to rigorous monitoring and safety inspections of its infrastructure amidst the continuing seismic assessments.
This natural disaster is anticipated to drive Thai exports, especially in sectors related to construction materials and consumer goods.
Arada Fuangthong, the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, expressed optimism for trade growth from April onward as Myanmar embarks on rebuilding efforts to recover from the quake's extensive destruction.
Initial assessments from provincial commercial offices along the Thai-Myanmar border indicate that transport routes remain intact, with no reports of bridge closures, which is critical for maintaining supply chains during this expected trade surge.
This development comes on the heels of a 2.44% decline in Thai-Myanmar border trade in February, amounting to 17.773 billion baht.
This decline was primarily attributed to crackdowns on criminal activities, including call centre scams, that had disrupted export activities.
In contrast, in the first two months of 2025, bi-lateral trade between Thailand and Myanmar achieved a total of 36.860 billion baht, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period in the prior year.
The anticipated uptick in exports is poised to revitalize cross-border trade, giving hope to officials that it will contribute to achieving Thailand’s annual trade objectives.
In a related development, Airports of Thailand (AOT) confirmed the operational status of its six airports, including major hubs such as Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, following comprehensive inspections post-earthquake.
AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat reported that these inspections evaluated passenger terminals, runways, and critical infrastructure, confirming that all facilities are safe and operational.
The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 8.2 and struck on March 28, was felt widely across Bangkok, causing noticeable tremors, especially in high-rise buildings.
Among them, the Baiyoke Sky tower—the tallest building in Thailand—was monitored closely for structural integrity.
Management stated that while the building swayed during the tremors, no significant damage or cracks were found after thorough inspections were conducted.
Baiyoke Sky management confirmed that its design includes earthquake-resistant features, allowing controlled swaying during seismic events to mitigate damage.
Precautionary evacuation procedures were executed during the tremors but were reported to be completed safely with all guests accounted for.
Meanwhile, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) stated that its operations in the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar are unaffected by the recent earthquake.
PTTEP confirmed that its natural gas production remains uninterrupted and emphasized its commitment to rigorous monitoring and safety inspections of its infrastructure amidst the continuing seismic assessments.
