Thailand’s use of free trade agreement (FTA) preferences for exports totalled US$90.24 billion (~2.8 trillion baht) in 2025, marking an 8.36% increase from the previous year.
Key Points
- The overall FTA utilisation rate was 82.26% of eligible export goods.
- Top FTA markets: ASEAN (US$33.15B, 72.45% utilisation), China (US$25.13B, 96.11%), India (US$9.85B, 72.93%), Japan (US$6.85B, 83.62%), and Australia (US$5.61B, 56.42%).
- Top export products using FTA preferences included goods transport vehicles, fresh durians, synthetic rubber, unwrought platinum, and prepared chicken meat.
- Fresh durians alone accounted for over US$4.26 billion in exports to China under ACFTA.
- Jewellery and unwrought platinum saw explosive growth under the ASEAN–India FTA, surging by 162,893% and 395% respectively.
- Industrial products dominated FTA utilisation at 72.73% of total value; agricultural products accounted for 27.27%.
- Thailand is expanding FTA reach with new agreements covering EFTA, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
- The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has set a target of upskilling at least 1,200 entrepreneurs in FY2026.
Why It Matters:
Thailand’s growing FTA utilisation highlights its strengthening role as an Indo-Pacific trade hub, with significant opportunities still untapped — particularly in fast-growing markets like India, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
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