The government is more upbeat about the country's cross-border trade prospects this year after overall cross-border trade, including transit trade, recorded healthy growth of 31.2% in the first eight months.
According to Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, overall cross-border trade including transit trade tallied 1.11 trillion baht from January to August.
Transit trade involves the passage of goods through more than one country.
Of the total, exports made up 682 billion baht, up 38%, while imports rose 21.7% to 436 billion.
"Cross-border trade was very active and is expected to exceed the growth target of 3-6% set earlier by the ministry," said Mr Jurin, attributing the growth to buyers' confidence in the quality of Thai products, the economic recovery of neighbouring countries and efforts by the ministry to address traffic congestion at border checkpoints.
Last year, overall border trade including transit trade declined 1.7% from the previous year to 1.31 trillion baht.
The drop was attributed to the pandemic and border checkpoint closures in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19, in addition to the strong baht.
Examining last year's figures in detail, exports represented 766 billion baht, down 2.16% year-on-year, while imports shrank by 1.05% to 553 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of 213 billion.
He said an anticipated rise in this year's cross-border trade is also an outcome of the ministry's ongoing efforts to expedite the reopening of border checkpoints.
Thailand has reopened 46 checkpoints, with 51 still closed due to the pandemic.
According to Mr Jurin, the ministry vows to expand border trade with Laos, Malaysia and Cambodia.
He expects to reopen more checkpoints soon after assigning the Foreign Trade Department chief to team up with the private sector and the governors of border provinces including Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan to continue negotiations with neighbouring countries.
Responsible agencies and the private sector are also pushing for the reopening of the Buketa and Tak Bai border checkpoints in Narathiwat, said Mr Jurin.