Cambodia-Thailand Commerce Contracts by Nearly US$700 Million Year-on-Year
Cambodia-Thailand Commerce Contracts by Nearly US$700 Million Year-on-Year
PHNOM PENH, June 11, 026 — Trade between Cambodia and Thailand declined sharply during the first five months of 2026, with total bilateral trade falling by 38.7% year-on-year to just over US$1.1 billion, according to data released by Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise.
Despite the decline, Thailand remained Cambodia’s fifth-largest trading partner after China, the United States, Vietnam and Japan.
Official figures showed that total trade between January and May reached more than US$1.15 billion, down from over US$1.8 billion during the same period in 2025. The contraction was driven largely by a steep fall in Thai exports to Cambodia.
Imports from Thailand into Cambodia totaled US$854 million during the period, representing a decline of 42.4% compared with the previous year. Cambodian exports to Thailand also dropped, falling 25% to approximately US$296 million.
The sharp downturn comes amid changes in cross-border trade flows following the closure of land border crossings between the two countries, forcing businesses to rely more heavily on alternative transport routes.
Logistics expert and Linehaul Express Cambodia Chief Executive Officer Oknha Dr. Sin Chanthy previously noted that imports from Thailand largely consist of industrial materials and production inputs, including components, spare parts, assembly materials, maintenance equipment and raw materials used in manufacturing. These goods have increasingly been transported by sea following disruptions to overland trade routes.
Meanwhile, imports of several consumer products from Thailand have declined significantly or ceased altogether. These include beverages, certain processed food products, fuel, vegetables and fruits.
The latest figures highlight the economic impact of ongoing trade and border disruptions between the neighboring countries, with bilateral commerce shrinking by nearly US$700 million compared with the same period last year.
Analysts say future trade performance will depend on the restoration of smoother logistics links and the normalization of cross-border commercial activities between Cambodia and Thailand.
