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Thailand-Rep. of Korea Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $14.74B total volume โ€ขThailand deficit: $2.60B

Thailand โ†’ Rep. of Korea

$6.07B

Exports (2023)

Rep. of Korea โ†’ Thailand

$8.67B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$2.60B

Deficit for Thailand

Total Trade

$14.74B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Thailand and Rep. of Korea. Green line shows exports from Thailand, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Thailand-Rep. of Korea commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Thailand โ†’ Rep. of Korea Exports

$6.07B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
7.1% top product
1Petroleum 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
$432.73M
7.1% of exports
2Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter
$300.63M
5.0% of exports
3Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)
$286.07M
4.7% of exports
4Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542
$244.05M
4.0% of exports
5Aluminium: waste and scrap
$195.80M
3.2% of exports
6Particle board of wood, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other organic binding substances
$142.09M
2.3% of exports
7Rubber: technically specified natural rubber (TSNR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip (excluding latex and smoked sheets)
$135.36M
2.2% of exports
8Meat preparations: of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus)
$134.76M
2.2% of exports
9Washing machines: household or laundry-type, of a dry linen capacity exceeding 10kg
$110.51M
1.8% of exports
10Ferrous waste and scrap: of stainless steel
$108.34M
1.8% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

Thailand's export portfolio to Rep. of Korea demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, 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 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Rep. of Korea โ†’ Thailand Imports

$8.67B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
9.2% concentration
1Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542
$799.41M
9.2% of imports
2Petroleum 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
$358.93M
4.1% of imports
3Parts of electronic integrated circuits
$295.96M
3.4% of imports
4Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$261.31M
3.0% of imports
5Circuits: printed
$252.65M
2.9% of imports
6Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coils, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm
$188.40M
2.2% of imports
7Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness of 0.5mm or more but not exceeding 1mm
$146.90M
1.7% of imports
8Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)
$139.66M
1.6% of imports
9Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plastics
$109.52M
1.3% of imports
10Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)
$109.41M
1.3% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

Thailand's import pattern from Rep. of Korea reveals strategic sourcingin electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

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Market Leadership

Thailand demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum 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 to Rep. of Korea, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
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Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Highly Balanced
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $14.74B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: Thailand-Rep. of Korea Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $14.74 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Thailand maintains a deficit of $2.60 billion
  • Export Focus: Thailand's primary exports 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: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Rep. of Korea include electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, 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, parts of electronic integrated circuits

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthBalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents a significant global 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 $14.74B 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 Thailand leveraging its comparative advantages 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.

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

1

Comparative Advantage

Thailand's specialization 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 oilscomplements Rep. of Korea's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $14.74B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyModerate
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Trade Relationship Outlook

The $14.74B 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

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Trade Volume Impact

The $14.74 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.

Economic Significance: High
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows 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 and electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
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Trade Balance Effects

Thailand's trade deficit of $2.60 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition 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 may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic 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 Thailand and Rep. of Korea represents a total trade volume of $14.74 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Thailand, with imports exceeding exportsby $2.60 billion.

Export Strengths

Thailand's exports to Rep. of Korea total $6.07 billion, with competitive advantages 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, representing $432.73M or7.1% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Rep. of Korea amount to $8.67 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, with Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 comprising9.2% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Thailand's strategic sourcing from Rep. of Korea. 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 Thailand and Rep. of Korea in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) โ€ข Last Updated: January 2025 โ€ข Coverage: 1995-2023