Bangkok - Thailand's trade picture showed no signs of recovery in June, when exports fell 25.9 per cent while imports were down 29.3 per cent year-on-year, government officials said Monday. Thai exports in June amounted to 12.3 billion dollars with imports at 11.4 billion dollars, according to the Commerce Ministry's Permanent Secretary Siripol Yodmuangcharoen.
"This resulted in a trade surplus of 937 million dollars in June," he said.
Thailand's exports have been on a downward trend since January, as the global recession affected demand in the kingdom's main markets such as the United States and Europe.
During the first six months of 2009, Thailand's total exports amounted to 68.2 billion dollars, down 23.5 per cent compared with the same period last year, while imports were 57.2 billion, a 35.4-per-cent decline.
Many of Thailand's imports are parts and components used for assembly and manufacturing for its exports industries.
By mid-year Thailand's trade surplus amounted to 11 billion dollars, allowing it to maintain strong foreign exchange reserves.
