Thailand’s exports recorded a robust increase in December, rising by sixteen point eight per cent compared with the same month a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

The expansion exceeded market forecasts and reflected continued resilience in global demand for Thai goods, reinforcing the role of merchandise exports as a key growth engine for Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.

The customs-cleared export figures showed broad-based strength across key product categories and major destinations, though detailed sectoral breakdowns and destination performance were not immediately published.

The performance builds on a string of monthly gains and follows sustained pickup in external demand as key trading partners navigate post-pandemic supply chain dynamics and invest in durable and industrial goods.

The stronger-than-expected December outcome contributed to a positive trend in Thailand’s external sector, supporting business confidence as policymakers weigh economic prospects for the year ahead.

Export growth remains central to Thailand’s economic strategy, particularly as authorities seek to diversify markets and elevate value-added production amid shifting global trade conditions.

The sustained performance also underpins broader macroeconomic forecasts for moderate expansion in 2026, though analysts continue to monitor potential headwinds such as exchange-rate volatility and fluctuations in critical commodity prices.