The value of exports rose by 13.4% to US$21.43 billion in November, this year's peak, boosted largely by increased sales to South and Southeast Asia, the Commerce Ministry reported.
Pimchanok Vonkorpon, head of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said on Thursday that imports last month stood at US$19.67 billion, up 13.7% year on year, for a resulting trade surplus of $1.76 billion.
From January to November, exports amounted to $216.95 billion, up 10%, with imports at $202.74 billion, increasing 14.5%, for a trade surplus of $14.21 billion.
Exportsso far for 2017 peaked in November. It was also the seventh consecutive month of double-digit growth. Exports rose in all major markets, especially South Asia and Southeast Asia, Miss Pimchanok said.
Exports to South Asia were the highest in 79 months and to Southeast Asia the best in 21 months.
There was outstanding growth in farm products, especially rice and chicken, and industrial products, including rubber, automobiles and parts, facsimile machines and telephones and parts.
Miss Pimchanok saidexport growth for 2017 would exceed 10% with total value expected at $236 billion.
The baht's appreciation would not affect exports in for the 12th month of the year because exporters had settled their prices and the value of baht would decline next year because tax reform in the United States was expected to strengthen the dollar against the baht, she said.
She predicted exports would rise by 6-7% next year on the growth of the global economy and trade.
