Lao People's Dem. Rep.-Thailand Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $7.63B total volume •Lao People's Dem. Rep. deficit: $1.66B
Lao People's Dem. Rep. → Thailand
$2.99B
Exports (2023)
Thailand → Lao People's Dem. Rep.
$4.64B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$1.66B
Deficit for Lao People's Dem. Rep.
Total Trade
$7.63B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Lao People's Dem. Rep. and Thailand. Green line shows exports from Lao People's Dem. Rep., red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Lao People's Dem. Rep.-Thailand commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Lao People's Dem. Rep. → Thailand Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
Lao People's Dem. Rep.'s export portfolio to Thailand demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with electrical energy representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
Thailand → Lao People's Dem. Rep. Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
Lao People's Dem. Rep.'s import pattern from Thailand reveals strategic sourcingin petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Lao People's Dem. Rep. demonstrates competitive strength in exportingelectrical energy to Thailand, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $7.63B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Lao People's Dem. Rep.-Thailand Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $7.63 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Lao People's Dem. Rep. maintains a deficit of $1.66 billion
- Export Focus: Lao People's Dem. Rep.'s primary exports include electrical energy, vegetable roots and tubers: manioc (cassava), with high starch or inulin content, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets, reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8525 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectors
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from Thailand include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, electrical energy
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $7.63B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Lao People's Dem. Rep. leveraging its comparative advantages in electrical energy.
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
Lao People's Dem. Rep.'s specialization in electrical energycomplements Thailand's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $7.63B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $7.63B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $7.63 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in electrical energy and petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Lao People's Dem. Rep.'s trade deficit of $1.66 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between Lao People's Dem. Rep. and Thailand represents a total trade volume of $7.63 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Lao People's Dem. Rep., with imports exceeding exportsby $1.66 billion.
Export Strengths
Lao People's Dem. Rep.'s exports to Thailand total $2.99 billion, with competitive advantages in electrical energy, representing $1.95B or65.4% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from Thailand amount to $4.64 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, with Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils comprising26.4% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Lao People's Dem. Rep.'s strategic sourcing from Thailand. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between Lao People's Dem. Rep. and Thailand in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023