Cambodia-Thailand Trade Falls 9.3% Amid Border Closures

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 11, 2025) — Cambodia-Thailand trade reached more than $3.2 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, down 9.3% compared to the same period in 2024, according to data released Monday by the General Department of Customs and Excise.

From January to October 2025, Cambodia’s exports to Thailand totaled approximately $635 million, a decline of 11.5%, while imports from Thailand dropped 8.8% to $2.5 billion.

Penn Sovicheat, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, told KPT English that despite the closure of land borders—except for restricted goods such as vegetables, fruits, electricity, oil, and gas—bilateral trade remains stable. He noted that Thai exporters have shifted to maritime routes and border crossings through Laos to maintain trade flows.

The Asian Development Bank recently revised Cambodia’s 2025 economic growth forecast downward from 6.1% to 4.9%, citing geopolitical tensions with Thailand and uncertainty surrounding U.S. market access as key risks.

In 2024, bilateral trade between Cambodia and Thailand exceeded $4.28 billion, up 15.5% from the previous year. Cambodian exports to Thailand reached nearly $845 million, while imports from Thailand rose 18.9% to $3.44 billion.