Thailand's Ministry of Commerce released two sets of data this week: September exports were USD 38.439 billion, up 24.0% year on year, the 27th consecutive month of growth; 68,286 new companies were registered from January to September, up 1.40%, with new online retail businesses up nearly 48% and company dissolutions up 16.05%.
September Trade: Exports Up 24%, Imports Up 50.4%
The Ministry of Commerce announced on 26 October that Thailand's exports in September 2026 were USD 38,438.9 million (approx. RMB 272.9 billion), up 24.0% year on year, the 27th consecutive month of growth; excluding oil, gold and military goods, exports grew 28.2%. September imports were USD 44,295.6 million, up 50.4%, giving a monthly trade deficit of USD 5,856.6 million.
From January to September, cumulative exports were USD 304,588.6 million, up 19.6%; imports were USD 348,282.5 million, up 37.8%; the deficit was USD 43,693.9 million. By market, September exports to China grew 18.4%, to the United States 50.1% and to the EU 35.0%, while exports to the Middle East fell 8.7%. The Ministry said electronics were the main growth driver and the Middle East market was affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Company Registration: 68,286 New Companies in Nine Months
The Department of Business Development (DBD) announced on 27 October that 68,286 new companies were registered from January to September 2026, an increase of 941 or 1.40% year on year; new registered capital was THB 203.4 billion, down 5.05%. In September, 8,088 new companies were registered, up 2.21% month on month, with registered capital of THB 21.742 billion, up 29.33% month on month.
Faster-growing sectors: online retail with 2,039 companies, up 47.97%; restaurants with 3,343, up 19.39%; and clothing retail with 843, up 89.86%.
On dissolutions, 13,785 companies were dissolved from January to September, up 16.05%, with registered capital of THB 120.74 billion, up 76.03%. As of 30 September, Thailand had 1,019,431 active juristic persons with total registered capital of THB 24.29 trillion, of which 815,706, or 80.01%, were limited companies.
Key Points
September exports grew 24.0% and imports 50.4%; exports to China grew 18.4%.
January to September exports grew 19.6%, with a deficit of USD 43,693.9 million.
From January to September, 68,286 new companies were registered, up 1.40%; online retail and clothing retail registrations grew fastest.
Company dissolutions from January to September rose 16.05%, and the registered capital of dissolved companies rose 76.03%.
Z&X Insight
Online retail grew fastest among new registrations. When cross-border e-commerce and trading businesses set up entities in Thailand, they should first confirm whether their business falls within the scope of foreign business restrictions, and whether registered capital matches their foreign employee arrangements. Z&X Company Registration & Approval Services help Chinese businesses entering Thailand choose a suitable setup path and take the company from registration to being able to sign contracts, receive and make payments, issue invoices and import and export.
Sources
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