Top Thai Exports & Imports

Computer accessories & telecommunications equipment lead Thai exports to the U.S. while semiconductors & civilian aircraft are fast-growing Thai imports from America.

With a population of some 65 million, Thailand exported US$22.5 billion worth of merchandise to the United States in 2006, up 13% from 2005 and up 52% in 4 years.

Thai imports from the U.S. rose 12.3% to $8.2 billion in 2006, up 67.7% since 2002.

In terms of the merchandise flow between the two countries, America’s trade deficit with Thailand was $14.3 billion in 2006, up 44.2% from 2002. The U.S. trade deficit with Thailand increased 13.3% in 2006 – up slightly from the 12.7% deficit increase in 2005 from the year earlier.

Thai Exports to U.S.

Of the $22.5 billion in American imports from Thailand in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.

1. Computer accessories, peripherals & parts … US$3.1 billion (13.9% of Thailand from U.S. imports, up 18.1% from 2005)
2. Telecommunications equipment … $2.1 billion (9.5%, down 23%)
3. Fish & shellfish … $1.8 billion (8.1%, up 18.7%)
4. Televisions, DVD players & other video equipment … $1.5 billion (6.5%, up 16.2%)
5. Cotton apparel & household furnishings … $1.2 billion (5.3%, down 0.4%)
6. Jewellery … $1.2 billion (5.3%, up 14%)
7. Semiconductors & related devices … $928.6 million (4.1%, up 39.2%)
8. Other textile apparel & household furnishings … $709.7 million (3.2%, up 4.3%)
9. Car parts & accessories … $637 million (2.8%, up 30%)
10. Other scientific, medical & hospital equipment … $437.2 million (1.9%, up 1.6%).

Fastest-Growing Thai Exports to U.S.

Below are American imports from Thailand in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.

1. Aluminum … US$5.8 million (up 1,939% from 2005)
2. Tin … $2 million (up 447%)
3. Crude oil … $169.3 million (up 288%)
4. Mining & oil processing equipment … $2.3 million (up 241%)
5. Textile, sewing & leather working equipment … $4.5 million (up 200%).

Thai Imports from U.S.

Of the $8.2 billion in American exports to Thailand in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.

1. Semiconductors …US$1.4 billion (17.5% of Thailand to U.S. exports, down 7.7% from 2005)
2. Civilian aircraft … $899.3 million (11%, up 2014%)
3. Computer accessories … $787 million (9.7%, up 12.7%)
4. Telecommunications equipment … $259.7 million (3.2%, down 35.1%)
5. Other industrial machines … $257.2 million (3.2%, up 2.6%)
6. Electric apparatus … $204.8 million (2.5%, up 0.8%)
7. Plastic materials … $203.4 million (2.5%, up 13.2%)
8. Measuring, testing & control instruments … $177.2 million (2.2%, down 0.6%)
9. Other petroleum products … $172 million (2.1%, up 31.3%)
10. Other chemicals … $160.4 million (2%, up 27.5%).

Fastest-Growing Thai Imports from U.S.

Below are American exports to Thailand in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.

1. Civilian aircraft … $899.3 million (up 2014% from 2005)
2. Parts for military equipment … $51.5 million (up 120%)
3. Iron & steel mill products … $11.9 million (up 105%)
4. Non-metallic minerals … $10.4 million (up 81.3%)
5. Generators & accessories … $65.3 million (up 81%).

Sources for this Article

This article presents independent calculations and insights based on data drawn from the CIA World Factbook and the U.S. Census Bureau – Foreign Trade Statistics.

Buildings skyline in Bangkok, Thailand

Sunset at Chang Island, Thailand

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