00:00Thailand's trade deficit has widened to a record level,
00:04driven by higher imports of capital goods and raw materials,
00:08along with soaring oil and gas prices.
00:11Imports have now outpaced exports for a seventh consecutive month,
00:15pushing the country's trade deficit to US$10 billion in April.
00:21The latest figure came in well above the median estimate of US$5.3 billion
00:26and is now the widest deficit recorded since Thailand began collecting trade data in 1991.
00:33Commerce Ministry data showed imports surged 45% in April from a year earlier,
00:38while exports rose 23.1% during the same period.
00:43Director General of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Nathapong Chira Lespong,
00:47said strong imports and a widening trade deficit would likely to continue.
00:52He added that elevated energy prices and continued growth
00:55in artificial intelligence-related trade flows could place further pressure on the barth.
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