BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's customs-cleared exports rose 10.6% in May from a year earlier, the commerce ministry said on Thursday, slightly lower than analysts' expectations.
The May reading compared with a forecast rise of 12% in a Reuters poll and followed an increase of 23.1% the previous month.
* Imports rose 35.1% in May from a year earlier, in line with the poll forecast.
* Thailand recorded a trade deficit of $5.71 billion for the month, compared with a poll forecast of a $6.12 billion deficit.
* The ministry expects exports to post full-year growth of 8%, supported by easing global tensions and strong tech demand, Nantapong Chiralerspong, head of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said at a briefing.
* In the first five months of 2026, exports rose 17% year-on-year. Thailand's exports rose 12.9% last year.
* In May, shipments to the United States, Thailand's largest market, increased 33.5% from a year earlier, while shipments to China dropped 2.5%, the ministry said.
* Exports are now likely to post single-digit growth each month over the remainder of the year, Nantapong said.
* Frontloading of exports to the U.S. amid tariff uncertainty has boosted growth so far this year, though this will ease, the ministry said.
* U.S. tariff measures are expected to be no more severe than anticipated, and exporters are seen as able to adjust, the ministry said.
* On Wednesday, the central bank left its key interest rate unchanged and raised its 2026 economic growth outlook to 2.3%, with exports seen up 14%.
(Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon, Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by John Mair) - Reuters
