Opinion | China gaining on top Thai trade spot
Mainland could overtake Japan as Southeast Asian nation's leading trade partner, official says
China might overtake Japan as Thailand's biggest trading partner within three years, fuelled by Chinese investments in the Southeast Asian country, according to Srirat Rastapana, director general of international trade promotion at Thailand's Ministry of Commerce.
Japan was Thailand's biggest trading partner last year, with US$73.06 billion in trade. China was second at US$63.86 billion and the United States third at US$35.69 billion, according to official Thai data.
China was Thailand's biggest export market last year, with Thai exports to the mainland reaching US$26.9 billion.
If Hong Kong was included, Thai exports to China totaled US$40 billion last year.
The Thai government was aiming for a 10 per cent rise in Thai exports to China this year, Srirat said.
"China is the No 2 trading partner of Thailand behind Japan, but rising quickly with Chinese investment in Thailand," she said. "That's why we welcome more Chinese investment in Thailand."
China is the No 2 trading partner of Thailand behind Japan, but rising quickly with Chinese investment in Thailand. That's why we welcome more Chinese investment in Thailand