Widening Chinese trade gap cannot be ignored as it distorts economic data of an underlying GDP struggle

September 4, 2026 at 7:05 pm

in Economy , Living , Media , Thailand

Thailand’s trade deficit with China has surged to US$55.13 billion, alarming even the Thai-Chinese business community. Imports from China jumped 38.49%, while the bilateral deficit widened 59.31% in seven months. Yet record exports and giant data-centre investments are masking a far weaker domestic economy. The government now wants Chinese-backed factories to use more Thai materials, components and workers as growth slips towards 1.5% to 2%.

Thailand’s China trade deficit hits US$55.13bn, up 59%. Thai-Chinese Chamber President Narongsak Putthapornmongkol and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun push for more Thai content. ( Source: Khaosod )

Thailand’s surging trade deficit with China is now drawing concern from the country’s own Thai-Chinese business community. The imbalance widened sharply during the first seven months of 2026. Notably, the warning comes while Thailand reports huge foreign investment and record exports. Yet the domestic economy remains weak.

The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to act quickly. Specifically, it wants Chinese-backed manufacturers to use more Thai materials, components and labour. Electric vehicles and electronics are immediate targets. Both industries have attracted substantial Chinese investment.

During January-July, Thailand’s imports from China surged 38.49% from a year earlier. As a result, the bilateral trade deficit reached US$55.13 billion. That represented a 59.31% increase from the previous year. Electrical machinery and components were among the imports driving the increase.

China deficit exceeds Thailand’s global shortfall as chamber warns over weak growth and investment

By comparison, Thailand’s total worldwide trade deficit was US$35.35 billion during the same period. Therefore, the China deficit alone exceeded the country’s entire global shortfall. Surpluses with other trading partners reduced the final worldwide figure. Even so, they could not erase the enormous Chinese imbalance.

Significantly, the latest warning comes from the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The organisation represents businesses closely connected with commerce between the two countries. Its fourth-quarter survey covered 503 executives and businesspeople. The findings also showed deep concern about Thailand’s wider economic performance.

Some 46.2% expect Thailand’s economy to grow only 1.5% to 2% this year. In contrast, the government’s median forecast stands at 2.2%. Chairman Narongsak Phutthaprommongkol released the findings on September 2. He also highlighted the rapidly widening deficit with China.

In response, the chamber wants faster implementation of local-content requirements. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are one major focus. Electronics producers are another. The chamber wants these factories to purchase more materials and components from domestic suppliers.

At present, Thailand is also reporting exceptionally strong headline investment numbers. However, enormous data-centre projects are heavily influencing those totals. These developments require vast upfront capital expenditure. Consequently, individual projects can exert an outsized impact on national private-investment statistics.

Record exports and data-centre investment mask weaker domestic growth as import pressures intensify

In parallel, Thailand has been recording unusually strong exports. Part of that growth involves Chinese goods moving through Thailand towards overseas markets. The United States is among those destinations. Other major markets are also receiving such shipments.

Accordingly, headline exports can rise sharply without equivalent growth in Thai-made products. Likewise, headline investment can soar because of a small number of giant digital projects. These effects are occurring while broader economic growth remains subdued. The chamber expects only 1.5% to 2% growth this year.

The government also began focusing more closely on data-centre investment this week. These projects require enormous quantities of technology and equipment. Much of that equipment must be imported. Thus, investments boosting one economic indicator can simultaneously increase the import bill.

Separately, the Commerce Ministry has examined Thailand’s trade deficit from another angle. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun released a detailed breakdown this week. Thailand recorded a US$35,354.5 million trade deficit during January-July. The amount is approximately ฿1.2 trillion.

Commerce Ministry says production-related imports dominate Thailand’s US$35.35 billion trade deficit

However, Ms Suphajee stressed the composition of those imports. Capital goods, raw materials and semi-finished products accounted for 72.9% of total imports. These included machinery, electronic components and chemicals. Therefore, almost three-quarters of imports were connected with production and investment.

The ministry linked the increase with expanding global manufacturing activity. In particular, technology and electronics accounted for substantial demand. Digital infrastructure, telecommunications and power industries also required large imports. Thailand participates in international supply chains across these sectors.

Consumer goods presented a very different picture. They represented only 9.2% of total imports. Moreover, the ministry calculated the trade balance after removing several major categories. Those exclusions included manufacturing, export-related goods, weapons and energy.

On that basis, Thailand recorded a US$13.32 billion consumer-goods surplus. Consequently, Ms Suphajee argued consumer imports were not causing the overall deficit. Instead, production-related goods accounted for most incoming trade. The distinction is central to the ministry’s explanation.

Suphajee pushes greater Thai value from foreign investment as local supply-chain demands strengthen

Nevertheless, the figures expose another problem for policymakers. Thailand imports enormous quantities of machinery, industrial inputs and components. Meanwhile, the government wants more domestic value generated by the associated investment. The Thai-Chinese Chamber is pressing for exactly the same outcome.

Ms Suphajee said existing production and investment must generate greater economic value inside Thailand. For example, foreign manufacturers should buy more Thai raw materials. They should also use more domestically manufactured components. Additionally, their operations should create local jobs.

Technology transfer forms another part of the government’s policy. At the same time, Thai companies should gain greater access to foreign-controlled supply chains. Small and medium-sized enterprises are a particular priority. The ministry wants these firms participating more directly in industrial investment.

As part of this, the Commerce Ministry has adopted a broader definition of trade balance. It is not seeking equal numerical values for imports and exports. Rather, it wants trade and investment generating greater benefits inside Thailand. Countries investing heavily in Thailand are central to this approach.

China’s widening trade gap drives calls for stronger local content in electric vehicles and electronics

China is the clearest example. Thailand recorded a US$55.13 billion deficit with China during only seven months. Furthermore, that gap jumped 59.31% from the previous year. Imports from China simultaneously rose 38.49%. The speed and scale of the deterioration are therefore substantial.

The chamber wants local-content policies accelerated in response. In particular, it identified electric vehicles and electronics. Both industries should purchase more raw materials and components from Thailand. The aim is greater domestic participation in Chinese-backed manufacturing.

Similarly, the Commerce Ministry wants foreign investors to use more Thai materials, components and workers. It also wants Thai entrepreneurs incorporated into their production networks. Hence, government policy and the chamber’s recommendations now overlap closely. Both focus on strengthening local supply chains.

Thailand has already raised the matter directly with China. During discussions, the Thai side proposed reviewing existing investment models. It also proposed increasing the use of Thai raw materials and components. Labour was included in the same discussions.

Thailand and China target new industries, e-commerce and third-country markets under co-creation plans

On another front, the two countries have discussed creating new industries using Thai resources. Processed food is one example. Herbs and health products are another. These industries could add value to raw materials already produced inside Thailand.

Subsequently, those products could target China’s large consumer market. They could also be marketed in third countries. The Commerce Ministry describes this approach as “co-creation”. It wants businesses from both countries to jointly develop products, industries and markets.

The ministry has also described a shift from “selling to” towards “selling together” or “Sell With”. Under that approach, trade would extend beyond conventional bilateral purchases. Joint development would become part of the relationship. New markets would also be pursued together.

Elsewhere, the government wants more Thai SMEs operating on Chinese e-commerce platforms. Such access would connect Thai businesses directly with Chinese consumers. China remains one of the world’s largest consumer markets. The ministry therefore sees online platforms as another route for Thai exporters.

China trade imbalance deepens as Thailand weighs sourcing, tourism weakness and foreign investment

Despite these initiatives, the immediate trade figures remain heavily tilted towards China. Thailand’s bilateral deficit reached US$55.13 billion by July. Meanwhile, its entire global deficit stood at US$35.35 billion. Surpluses elsewhere offset part of the Chinese shortfall.

The Commerce Ministry also distinguishes between different causes of bilateral deficits. For instance, Thailand runs a deficit with the United Arab Emirates because of energy imports. Energy therefore dominates that relationship differently. Thailand is pursuing free trade negotiations with the UAE.

Alongside those negotiations, both countries are examining additional opportunities for joint business development. The aim is to expand economic relations beyond basic transactions. However, China presents a substantially different trade structure. Manufactured goods and industrial inputs dominate much of the imbalance.

Thailand imports huge volumes of Chinese machinery, electrical equipment and components. At the same time, Chinese companies are investing heavily inside Thailand. This combination has placed local sourcing at the centre of the debate. Thai businesses want a greater share of those production chains.

The chamber’s confidence survey adds pressure from another direction. Almost half of respondents expect growth between only 1.5% and 2%. Tourism also remains below expectations. Foreign arrivals are projected to miss the 35 million target cited by the chamber.

Tourism support and digital investment rise in focus as data centres reshape headline economic figures

As a short-term measure, the chamber supports stronger domestic tourism activity. Some 63.6% of business operators consider “Thai Travel Plus” moderately necessary. The measure is intended to help sustain economic activity. Tourism remains a major source of demand across the economy.

Over the longer term, however, the chamber is focusing on technology and industrial development. It identified two priorities for the next three years. One is artificial intelligence and the digital economy. The other is upgrading new industries and investment.

Ironically, digital infrastructure is already transforming Thailand’s headline investment figures. Data centres have become major components of the investment pipeline. Individual projects involve enormous financial commitments. Their scale can therefore dominate aggregate investment approvals.

At the same time, these facilities require extensive imported equipment. Servers, electrical systems and other technological infrastructure form part of those investments. Consequently, large digital projects can increase both investment and imports. The two effects appear simultaneously in different economic statistics.

Exports present another unusual feature. Thailand has recorded strong export numbers. Yet some of that trade consists of Chinese products moving through the country. Those goods subsequently continue towards the United States and other important markets.

Strong exports and giant data centres contrast with weak domestic growth and tight real-economy liquidity

As a result, strong exports do not necessarily represent identical growth in Thai manufacturing. The same distinction applies to foreign-investment totals dominated by large data centres. Meanwhile, the chamber’s economic forecast remains below the government’s 2.2% median projection.

Thailand’s domestic economy therefore presents a different picture from several headline indicators. Growth remains anaemic. Liquidity in the real economy remains tight. Meanwhile, the government continues borrowing to support weak economic expansion.

Against this background, the Commerce Ministry’s import breakdown has become particularly important. Production goods dominate Thailand’s incoming trade. Capital equipment, raw materials and semi-finished products account for 72.9%. Consumer goods account for just 9.2%.

After specific exclusions, the ministry calculates a US$13.32 billion consumer-goods surplus. Therefore, household consumption is not responsible for the overall deficit. Instead, industrial production, investment, energy and associated activity dominate the import bill.

That explanation, however, directs attention towards how much domestic value those investments create. Foreign factories may import machinery and parts extensively. The government consequently wants Thai companies supplying more of their continuing requirements.

Government targets Thai inputs, jobs and SMEs as foreign-backed supply chains come under scrutiny

First, it wants more domestically produced raw materials used in foreign operations. Second, it wants greater purchases of Thai-manufactured components. Third, it wants Thai employment expanded within those businesses. Technology transfer is another stated objective.

Beyond that, the government wants SMEs connected to multinational supply chains. These companies currently face limited participation in some major foreign-backed industries. Increased local sourcing would channel more spending towards domestic businesses. The chamber has made the same recommendation.

Chinese electric vehicle production is particularly important. Chinese manufacturers have established a substantial presence inside Thailand. Electronics also remain critical because production depends heavily on imported machinery and components. Both sectors therefore sit at the centre of local-content discussions.

For this reason, the Thai-Chinese Chamber’s intervention carries particular weight. It is not opposing Chinese investment. Instead, it wants greater Thai participation within that investment. The organisation is calling for more value to remain inside the domestic economy.

The Commerce Ministry is pursuing essentially the same direction. Its policy has been presented as “Create Balance – Add Value”. The concept does not seek mathematically equal imports and exports. Instead, it seeks stronger domestic gains from international trade.

Commerce Ministry broadens strategy as Suphajee sets out domestic value and diversification goals

For China, this includes reviewing investment models and increasing Thai inputs. For the UAE, the government is pursuing trade negotiations and joint business opportunities. Additionally, the Commerce Ministry wants greater market diversification. It wants Thailand to be less dependent on major individual markets.

Ms Suphajee has set out the government’s broader objective in full.

“The Ministry of Commerce’s goal is not just to reduce the trade deficit, but to leverage strategic relationships with trading partners to create new economic opportunities for Thailand. We must ensure that trade and investment enhance competitiveness, create added value domestically, and open up opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs to play a greater role in the supply chain. At the same time, Thailand must build confidence among trading partners, ensuring they see us as a reliable partner and are ready to expand beyond mere trade to jointly create new products, businesses, and markets. The ultimate goal is trade relationships that grow not just in terms of numbers, but through mutual benefit, enabling sustainable long-term growth for both Thailand and its trading partners,” Ms. Suphajee said.

Behind that policy statement sit increasingly stark trade numbers. Thailand’s worldwide deficit reached US$35.35 billion during the first seven months. By comparison, the deficit with China reached US$55.13 billion. Other trade surpluses reduced the overall figure.

More importantly, Chinese imports increased 38.49% from a year earlier. The resulting deficit jumped 59.31%. Consequently, the bilateral imbalance is worsening far faster than Thailand’s economic growth. The chamber expects that growth to reach only 1.5% to 2%.

Data-centre investment, export flows and China deficit sharpen focus on Thailand’s underlying economy

At the same time, Thailand’s investment figures are being boosted by huge data-centre commitments. Export numbers are also being lifted by Chinese goods moving through the country. Thus, headline economic strength is increasingly concentrated in several exceptional activities.

Meanwhile, tourism is expected to miss its 35 million visitor target. Business confidence also reflects the weak growth outlook. Nearly half of chamber respondents expect expansion below the government’s median projection. Domestic demand therefore remains central to the wider economic picture.

The trade debate is now shifting towards domestic economic content. Instead of examining investment values alone, policymakers are looking at what foreign factories buy locally. They are also examining employment, supply chains and technology transfers.

In practice, China will be the principal test. Its companies are major investors in electric vehicles and electronics. Yet Chinese imports are simultaneously driving an extraordinary bilateral trade deficit. The Thai-Chinese Chamber now wants that relationship rebalanced through greater domestic sourcing.

The Commerce Ministry has reached a similar conclusion from its import data. Most imports are tied to production rather than consumer spending. Therefore, officials want that production to generate more purchases inside Thailand. SMEs are expected to play a larger role.

Thailand links Chinese investment to new industries as bilateral trade deficit keeps widening sharply

At the same time, Thailand wants Chinese investment linked with new Thai-based industries. Processed foods, herbs and health products have already been identified. Chinese e-commerce platforms are also being targeted for Thai businesses. Third-country markets form another part of the plan.

Still, the immediate figures remain uncompromising. Thailand imported 38.49% more from China during January-July. Its bilateral deficit consequently reached US$55.13 billion. That gap was 59.31% larger than a year earlier.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s total global deficit was only US$35.35 billion. The difference was covered by surpluses elsewhere. Therefore, no other relationship is placing comparable pressure on the country’s overall trade account.

The Thai-Chinese Chamber now wants local-content requirements pushed harder. Electric vehicles and electronics stand first in line. The Commerce Ministry also wants Thai materials, components, workers and SMEs brought deeper into foreign investment.

Separately, the government continues promoting artificial intelligence and the digital economy. The chamber also supports both areas over the next three years. Yet massive data-centre investment is already changing Thailand’s economic statistics dramatically.

Data centres lift investment and imports as China trade gap dominates Thailand’s second-half outlook

In one direction, those projects produce huge private-investment figures. In another, they generate large requirements for imported technology and equipment. Alongside this, Chinese goods moving through Thailand are helping lift exports.

Thailand therefore entered the second half of 2026 with unusually powerful headline trade and investment numbers. However, its underlying growth forecast remains weak. The Thai-Chinese Chamber expects expansion of only 1.5% to 2%.

At the centre of the imbalance is China. The trade deficit with China reached US$55.13 billion in seven months. Imports rose 38.49%, while the deficit jumped 59.31%.

Now, businesses closest to Thai-Chinese commerce are asking the government to act. Their immediate demand is greater Thai content in Chinese-backed investment. The Commerce Ministry is pushing the same objective.

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Joseph Anthony is an expat from Ireland who has lived in Thailand for the last decade. He has worked extensively in the media including editorial positions in Ireland and Thailand. He is focused on economic and business stories in Thailand as well as the expat lifestyle.

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2026年9月4日晚上7:05

在经济、生活、媒体、泰国

泰国对华贸易逆差飙升至551.3亿美元，甚至令泰中商界也感到担忧。过去七个月，泰国从中国的进口额增长了38.49%，而双边贸易逆差却扩大了59.31%。然而，创纪录的出口和巨额数据中心投资掩盖了泰国国内经济的疲软态势。随着经济增长放缓至1.5%至2%，泰国政府现在希望中资背景的工厂更多地使用泰国原材料、零部件和劳动力。

泰国对华贸易逆差达551.3亿美元，增幅达59%。泰中商会会长纳隆萨·普塔蓬蒙坤和商务部长素帕吉·素通蓬呼吁提高泰国本土产品的使用率。（来源：考索德报）

泰国对华贸易逆差不断扩大，引发了泰国本土泰籍华人商界的担忧。2026年前七个月，贸易逆差急剧扩大。值得注意的是，尽管泰国吸引了大量外资，出口额也创下历史新高，但与此同时，泰国国内经济依然疲软。

泰中商会敦促政府迅速采取行动。具体而言，商会希望中资背景的制造商更多地使用泰国原材料、零部件和劳动力。电动汽车和电子产品是首要目标。这两个行业都吸引了大量中国投资。

今年1月至7月，泰国从中国的进口额同比增长38.49%。受此影响，双边贸易逆差达到551.3亿美元，较上年同期增长59.31%。电气机械及零部件进口是推动进口增长的主要因素之一。

中国贸易逆差超过泰国全球贸易逆差，商会警告称经济增长和投资疲软。

相比之下，同期泰国的全球贸易逆差总额为353.5亿美元。因此，仅中国贸易逆差就超过了泰国在全球贸易中的总逆差。与其他贸易伙伴的贸易顺差虽然降低了最终的全球逆差总额，但仍然无法消除巨大的对华贸易逆差。

值得注意的是，此次最新警告来自泰中商会。该商会代表着与两国经贸往来密切相关的企业。其第四季度调查涵盖了503位企业高管和商界人士。调查结果还显示，他们对泰国整体经济表现深感担忧。

约46.2%的受访者预计泰国经济今年仅增长1.5%至2%。相比之下，政府的预测中值为2.2%。泰国经济委员会主席纳隆萨·普塔普罗蒙坤于9月2日公布了这一调查结果。他还强调了对华贸易逆差迅速扩大的问题。

为此，商会希望加快本地化率要求的落实。中国电动汽车制造商是重点关注对象之一，电子产品生产商也是。商会希望这些工厂更多地从国内供应商采购原材料和零部件。

目前，泰国也公布了异常强劲的投资总额。然而，庞大的数据中心项目对这些总额产生了显著影响。这些项目需要巨额的前期资本支出。因此，单个项目可能会对国家私人投资统计数据产生过大的影响。

出口和数据中心投资创纪录掩盖了国内增长放缓的局面，进口压力加剧。

与此同时，泰国的出口也异常强劲。部分增长来自于中国商品经泰国运往海外市场，美国便是其中之一。其他主要市场也接收了此类货物。

因此，出口总额可能大幅增长，而泰国制造的产品却未出现同等增长。同样，由于少数大型数字项目，投资总额也可能飙升。这些现象发生的同时，整体经济增长依然低迷。商会预计今年经济增长率仅为1.5%至2%。

本周，政府也开始更加密切地关注数据中心投资。这些项目需要大量的技术和设备，其中很多设备需要进口。因此，提振某项经济指标的投资，同时也会增加进口支出。

此外，泰国商务部从另一个角度分析了泰国的贸易逆差。副总理兼商务部长素帕吉·素通蓬本周公布了详细的分析报告。今年1月至7月，泰国录得353.545亿美元的贸易逆差，约合1.2万亿泰铢。

泰国商务部表示，与生产相关的进口是泰国353.5亿美元贸易逆差的主要原因。

然而，苏帕吉女士强调了这些进口商品的构成。资本货物、原材料和半成品占进口总额的72.9%，其中包括机械、电子元件和化学品。因此，近四分之三的进口与生产和投资相关。

该部将进口增长归因于全球制造业活动的扩张。特别是科技和电子产品的需求量巨大。数字基础设施、电信和电力行业也需要大量进口。泰国参与了这些行业的国际供应链。

消费品的情况则截然不同，仅占进口总额的9.2%。此外，该部在计算贸易差额时剔除了几个主要类别，包括制造业、出口相关商品、武器和能源。

基于此，泰国录得133.2亿美元的消费品贸易顺差。因此，苏帕吉女士认为，消费品进口并非造成整体贸易逆差的原因。相反，生产相关商品才是进口商品的主要来源。这一区别是该部解释的核心。

随着本地供应链需求增强，Suphajee 推动外国投资为泰国创造更大价值。

然而，这些数据也揭示了政策制定者面临的另一个问题。泰国大量进口机械、工业投入品和零部件。与此同时，政府希望相关投资能够创造更多国内价值。泰中商会也正力主实现同样的目标。

苏帕吉女士表示，现有的生产和投资必须在泰国创造更大的经济价值。例如，外国制造商应该购买更多泰国原材料，并更多地使用国产零部件。此外，他们的运营活动也应该创造本地就业机会。

技术转让是政府政策的另一重要组成部分。与此同时，泰国企业应获得更多进入外资供应链的机会。中小企业是重点扶持对象。该部希望这些企业能够更直接地参与产业投资。

为此，商务部采用了更广泛的贸易平衡定义。它不再追求进出口金额相等，而是希望贸易和投资能够为泰国带来更大的利益。在泰国进行大量投资的国家是这一方针的核心。

中国不断扩大的贸易逆差促使人们呼吁提高电动汽车和电子产品的本地化率。

中国就是最明显的例子。泰国仅在七个月内就对中国出现了551.3亿美元的贸易逆差。此外，这一逆差较上年同期增长了59.31%。与此同时，泰国从中国的进口额也增长了38.49%。因此，贸易关系恶化的速度和规模都相当显著。

商会希望加快本地化政策的实施。商会特别指出电动汽车和电子产品行业应更多地从泰国采购原材料和零部件。其目标是提高泰国本土企业在中国支持的制造业中的参与度。

同样，商务部希望外国投资者更多地使用泰国原材料、零部件和劳动力，并希望泰国企业家融入其生产网络。因此，政府政策与商会建议目前高度契合，两者都致力于加强本地供应链。

泰国已就此问题直接向中国提出。在磋商中，泰方提议重新审视现有的投资模式，并建议增加泰国原材料和零部件的使用。劳工问题也是磋商的内容之一。

泰国和中国通过合作共创计划，瞄准新兴产业、电子商务和第三国市场。

另一方面，两国还探讨了利用泰国资源发展新兴产业。加工食品就是一个例子，草药和保健品也是如此。这些产业可以提升泰国境内现有原材料的附加值。

随后，这些产品可以瞄准中国庞大的消费市场，也可以销往第三国。商务部将这种方式称为“共创”，希望两国企业共同开发产品、产业和市场。

该部委还描述了贸易模式从“向外销售”向“共同销售”或“携手销售”的转变。在这种模式下，贸易范围将超越传统的双边采购，联合开发将成为双边关系的一部分，双方还将共同开拓新市场。

另一方面，泰国政府希望更多泰国中小企业入驻中国电商平台。此举将使泰国企业能够直接接触中国消费者。中国仍然是全球最大的消费市场之一。因此，泰国政府将线上平台视为泰国出口商的另一条重要途径。

泰国权衡采购、旅游业疲软和外国投资，中泰贸易逆差加剧

尽管采取了这些举措，但短期贸易数据仍然严重偏向中国。截至7月，泰国的双边贸易逆差达到551.3亿美元。与此同时，其全球贸易逆差为353.5亿美元。其他地区的贸易顺差部分抵消了对华贸易的逆差。

商务部还区分了双边贸易逆差的不同成因。例如，泰国对阿联酋存在贸易逆差，主要是由于能源进口。因此，能源在泰国与阿联酋的关系中占据主导地位。泰国正在与阿联酋进行自由贸易谈判。

在进行这些谈判的同时，两国还在探讨更多合作发展的机会。其目标是将经济关系拓展到基本交易之外。然而，中国的贸易结构与我国截然不同。制成品和工业投入品在贸易不平衡中占据了很大比例。

泰国大量进口中国机械、电气设备和零部件。与此同时，中国企业也在泰国进行大量投资。这种局面使得本地采购成为争论的焦点。泰国企业希望在这些生产链中占据更大的份额。

商会的信心调查从另一个方面加剧了经济压力。近半数受访者预计经济增长率仅为1.5%至2%。旅游业也持续低于预期。预计外国游客入境人数将无法达到商会设定的3500万人次的目标。

随着数据中心重塑经济格局，旅游业支持和数字投资日益受到关注。

作为一项短期措施，商会支持加强国内旅游活动。约63.6%的商家认为“泰国旅游升级计划”（Thai Travel Plus）具有一定的必要性。该措施旨在帮助维持经济活动。旅游业仍然是泰国经济的重要需求来源。

然而，从长远来看，商会更关注技术和产业发展。商会确定了未来三年的两大优先事项：一是人工智能和数字经济，二是新兴产业升级和投资。

具有讽刺意味的是，数字基础设施已经改变了泰国整体的投资格局。数据中心已成为投资项目的重要组成部分。单个项目涉及巨​​额资金投入，因此其规模可能主导整体投资审批。

与此同时，这些设施需要大量进口设备。服务器、电力系统和其他技术基础设施都属于这些投资的范畴。因此，大型数字化项目可能会同时增加投资和进口。这两种影响在不同的经济统计数据中都有所体现。

出口呈现出另一个不寻常的特点。泰国出口额一直保持强劲增长，但其中一部分贸易商品却是中国产品经泰国出口。这些商品随后继续销往美国和其他重要市场。

强劲的出口和巨型数据中心与疲软的国内增长和紧张的实体经济流动性形成鲜明对比。

因此，强劲的出口并不一定意味着泰国制造业的同等增长。同样的道理也适用于以大型数据中心为主的外国投资总额。与此同时，商会的经济预测仍然低于政府2.2%的预测中值。

因此，泰国国内经济的实际情况与一些主要指标有所不同。经济增长依然疲软，实体经济流动性依然紧张。与此同时，政府仍在继续举债以支撑疲弱的经济增长。

在此背景下，商务部提供的进口明细显得尤为重要。生产资料在泰国进口商品中占据主导地位。资本设备、原材料和半成品占72.9%，而消费品仅占9.2%。

扣除特定项目后，该部计算得出消费品贸易顺差为133.2亿美元。因此，家庭消费并非造成整体贸易逆差的原因。相反，工业生产、投资、能源及相关活动才是进口额的主要来源。

然而，这种解释将注意力引向了这些投资在国内创造的价值。外国工厂可能需要大量进口机械设备和零部件。因此，政府希望泰国公司能够满足其更多持续的需求。

政府将目标锁定在泰国本土的原材料、就业和中小企业，同时对外国支持的供应链进行严格审查。

首先，它希望在海外业务中使用更多国产原材料。其次，它希望增加泰国制造零部件的采购量。第三，它希望扩大这些企业中泰国人的就业岗位。技术转让也是其明确目标之一。

除此之外，政府还希望中小企业能够融入跨国供应链。目前，这些企业在一些主要外资控股行业中的参与度有限。增加本地采购将引导更多消费流向国内企业。商会也提出了同样的建议。

中国电动汽车生产对泰国尤为重要。中国制造商已在泰国建立了相当规模的市场。电子产品也至关重要，因为其生产严重依赖进口机械和零部件。因此，这两个行业都是本地化内容讨论的核心。

正因如此，泰中商会的介入才显得尤为重要。该商会并非反对中国投资，而是希望泰国能够更多地参与到中国投资中来。该商会呼吁将更多价值留在国内经济体系内。

商务部基本上也在朝着相同的方向努力。其政策被定义为“创造平衡，增加价值”。这一理念并非追求进出口在数量上相等，而是力求从国际贸易中获得更大的国内收益。

商务部扩大战略，苏帕吉提出国内价值和多元化目标

对中国而言，这包括重新审视投资模式并增加泰国的投入。对阿联酋而言，政府正在积极推进贸易谈判和联合商业机会。此外，商务部希望实现更大的市场多元化，降低泰国对单一主要市场的依赖。

苏帕吉女士已全面阐述了政府的更广泛目标。

“商务部的目标不仅是减少贸易逆差，更是要利用与贸易伙伴的战略关系，为泰国创造新的经济机遇。我们必须确保贸易和投资能够提升竞争力，在国内创造附加值，并为泰国企业家在供应链中发挥更大作用创造机会。同时，泰国必须增强贸易伙伴的信心，确保他们将我们视为可靠的合作伙伴，并准备好超越单纯的贸易，共同创造新产品、新业务和新市场。最终目标是建立互利共赢的贸易关系，不仅体现在贸易额的增长上，更要实现泰国及其贸易伙伴的可持续长期增长。”苏帕吉女士表示。

这项政策声明背后隐藏着日益触目惊心的贸易数据。今年前七个月，泰国的全球贸易逆差达到353.5亿美元。相比之下，对华贸易逆差达到551.3亿美元。其他贸易顺差拉低了整体逆差额。

更重要的是，中国进口额较上年同期增长38.49%，导致贸易逆差飙升59.31%。因此，双边贸易失衡恶化的速度远超泰国经济增长速度。泰国商会预计，泰国经济增长率仅为1.5%至2%。

数据中心投资、出口流动和对华贸易逆差使人们更加关注泰国的基本经济状况。

与此同时，泰国的投资数据因大量数据中心投资而大幅增长。中国商品经泰国出口也提振了出口额。因此，泰国经济的整体增长势头日益集中在少数几个特殊领域。

与此同时，旅游业预计将无法实现3500万游客的目标。商业信心也反映出疲软的增长前景。近半数商会成员预计经济增长将低于政府预测的中值。因此，内需仍然是整体经济形势的核心。

贸易辩论的焦点正转向国内经济内容。政策制定者不再仅仅关注投资价值，而是开始关注外国工厂在当地采购的商品和服务，以及就业、供应链和技术转让等方面的情况。

实际上，中国将是主要考验。中国企业是电动汽车和电子产品领域的主要投资者。然而，与此同时，中国进口也导致了巨大的双边贸易逆差。泰中商会现在希望通过增加国内采购来重新平衡这种关系。

商务部根据其进口数据得出了类似的结论。大部分进口与生产而非消费支出相关。因此，官员们希望生产能够带动泰国国内的消费。中小企业预计将发挥更大的作用。

随着双边贸易逆差持续大幅扩大，泰国正将中国投资与新兴产业联系起来。

与此同时，泰国希望吸引中国投资，扶持本土新兴产业。加工食品、草药和保健品行业已被确定为重点扶持对象。泰国企业也正积极利用中国电商平台。开拓第三国市场是该计划的另一重要组成部分。

然而，直接数据依然不容乐观。今年1月至7月，泰国从中国的进口额增长了38.49%，双边贸易逆差因此达到551.3亿美元，比上年同期增长了59.31%。

与此同时，泰国的全球贸易逆差总额仅为353.5亿美元，差额由其他贸易顺差弥补。因此，没有其他贸易关系对泰国的整体贸易账户构成类似的压力。

泰中商会现在希望进一步推行本地化率要求。电动汽车和电子产品首当其冲。商务部也希望泰国原材料、零部件、劳动力和中小企业能够更深入地参与外商投资。

与此同时，政府继续大力推进人工智能和数字经济的发展。商会也表示将在未来三年内支持这两个领域的发展。然而，大规模的数据中心投资已经显著改变了泰国的经济格局。

数据中心提振投资和进口，中国贸易逆差主导泰国下半年经济前景

一方面，这些项目带来了巨额私人投资；另一方面，它们也对进口技术和设备产生了巨大的需求。与此同时，途经泰国的中国商品也促进了泰国的出口。

因此，泰国在2026年下半年迎来了异常强劲的贸易和投资数据。然而，其潜在增长预期依然疲软。泰中商会预计增速仅为1.5%至2%。

造成这种不平衡的核心是中国。短短七个月内，对华贸易逆差就达到了551.3亿美元。进口额增长了38.49%，而逆差却飙升了59.31%。

现在，与泰中贸易关系密切的企业正在呼吁政府采取行动。他们最迫切的诉求是提高中资投资项目中的泰国本土成分。商务部也在积极推进这一目标。

国内生产总值增长乏力。基础数据令人深感不安。实体经济萎缩。赤字高达1.1万亿美元。

商业界似乎出了问题，调查显示信心跌至三年来的最低点。

打击外国代理人公司和商业机构的行动蔓延至甲米，已有1000家公司被列入黑名单

现在，政府的打击行动目标是无证酒店。普吉岛突击检查中，五名酒店经理被捕。

普吉岛副部长发起为期90天的打击大麻商店行动，此前人们对大麻销售的担忧加剧。

走私大麻出口活动迅速增长，英国截获了数千起游客走私大麻案件。

泰国警方发出警告，曼谷因大量大麻出口到国外而被查获，颜面尽失。

泰自豪党高层人物捍卫该党对大麻的立场，仅支持医用大麻。

波兰和德国官员在泰国查获大量大麻，给曼谷带来更大压力。

一对泰老混血夫妇在黎府因涉嫌贩卖海洛因而被捕，此前泰国航空公司一名空姐已被监禁。

泰国女招待将因其行为受到惩罚，总理正努力缩小毒品走私漏洞

泰国和澳大利亚警方正在追查逮捕泰国航空公司空姐的幕后黑手。

约瑟夫·安东尼是一位来自爱尔兰的侨民，过去十年一直居住在泰国。他曾在爱尔兰和泰国的媒体行业担任过编辑职务，拥有丰富的媒体从业经验。他主要关注泰国的经济和商业新闻，以及侨民的生活方式。

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泰国连环杀人犯颂基（Somkid）于2019年获释，几个月后，他于2026年8月27日再次杀害一名女性。此前，他被判处死刑和终身监禁，但最终却提前获释。

警方对泄露的DSI文件展开调查，这些文件被认为与反对派在参议院的爆料有关（2026年8月27日）。随着真实性调查的展开，泰国参议院丑闻进一步加深。

湄宏顺府府尹指出交通政策失误，一家小型航空公司取消了飞往热门景点的短途航班（2026年8月27日）。由于易捷航空面临困境，北部航线计划搁浅。

随着压力不断增加，总理阿努廷表示，他将在2026年8月26日就参议院选举舞弊指控提起诉讼。阿努廷指示iLaw主任英奇普·阿查农进行抗争。

芭堤雅警方正在调查2026年8月31日星期一凌晨发生在芭堤雅南区一家夜总会的枪击案。

阿努廷本周伊始就面临双重经济难题：汽车制造商和铁路财团威胁要退出合作。2026年8月31日

2026年8月31日，一名美国男子在普吉岛被捕，他因涉嫌在家中性侵未成年人而被美国州和联邦政府通缉。

曼谷夜生活风靡全球，有望在2026年8月30日荣膺世界第一和全球游客最多的城市。

芭堤雅警方在美军预计于2026年8月30日星期三抵达前夕，针对街头性工作者展开行动。

泰国政治即将迎来一个关键时刻，参议院串谋案的判决将于9月14日公布（2026年8月30日）。

这位来自泰国的《美国达人秀》明星于周五返回家乡，准备迎接她9月份的命运之约（2026年8月30日）。

缅甸当局对5月份美国外交官的死亡及其被监禁的泰国同伴的事件（2026年8月29日）保持沉默。

泰国旅游警察迎来新面貌。部长视察总部，谈及高科技安保新时代（2026年8月29日）

2026年8月29日，一名醉酒的外国游客袭击并撬开自动取款机寻找丢失的银行卡，警方在10分钟内赶到现场。

曼谷市中心一家大型电子产品零售中心发生大火。查查特府于2026年8月29日赶赴现场。

为泰党领袖朱拉蓬于2026年8月28日星期五在总理府坚称联合政府“非常强大”。

2026年8月28日，警方封锁山区，追捕一名男子，该男子在与情人分手后谋杀了情人的丈夫。

泰国旅游局（TAT）转向铁路以提升泰国对外国游客的吸引力 2026年8月27日

苏梅岛动物园纠纷演变为针对以色列人和外国人在泰国不当行为的更大规模抗议活动 2026年8月27日

旅游部门负责人密切关注中国媒体，此前甘烹碧府警方解救了一名年轻女子。4人于2026年8月27日被捕。

央行维持利率在1%不变，实体经济承压，投资重点转向科技领域 2026年8月26日

2026年8月26日，移民局突击检查了涛岛，逮捕了多名持DTV签证在岛上工作的英国和西班牙潜水教练。

美国海军航母战斗群在参与“史诗狂怒”演习并封锁伊朗后，将于2026年8月26日进驻芭堤雅。

游客出发前将接受泰国法律简报。部长称，一名以色列男子的签证已于2026年8月25日被吊销。

反对派指责选举委员会周五可能对2026年8月25日举行的参议院选举案进行粉饰。

他信重回政治中心，为泰党与克拉探党之间的权力博弈引发猜测（2026年8月25日）

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