2023 Snapshot
Total imports:
Thailand imported $8.27 billion worth of goods from Indonesia, accounting for 2.86% of its total merchandise imports (≈$288 billion)
Top commodity groups from Indonesia:
Energy/petroleum products (including coal, oil, gas) dominate, alongside palm oil, rubber, and agricultural goods
Structural Trade Context:
Thailand, in turn, exports rice, sugar, automotive parts, and machinery to Indonesia—but imports from Indonesia have consistently been lower, contributing to a trade deficit for Indonesia (approx. $1.8 bn in 2024)
Indonesia ranks as Thailand’s sixth-largest global import source and third within ASEAN, with imports largely concentrated in energy commodities.
Through Early 2025:
Thailand’s overall imports are on the rise, reaching a record $29.93 billion in May 2025, up 3.4% from April
Imports from Indonesia showed consistent growth (≈3.23% share in July 2024 vs 3.27% in mid‑2024), but energy imports from Indonesia slowed, especially coal—which faces reduced demand regionally.
In the first four months of 2025, all major Southeast Asian coal importers (including Thailand) reduced Indonesian thermal coal imports amid a shift toward cleaner energy
Bottom Line
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Imports from Indonesia (2023) | $8.27 bn (≈2.86% of total) |
| Ranking (import partner) | 6th worldwide, 3rd in ASEAN |
| Main imports | Coal, oil, gas, palm oil, rubber, agricultural products |
| Trend into 2025 | Overall trade growing; energy/coal imports decreasing due to cleaner-energy shift |
Looking Ahead
2024–25 energy transition pressures (regional coal demand decline, clean-energy growth) will likely dampen Thailand’s energy imports from Indonesia.
Yet, other categories like palm oil, rubber, and industrial goods may continue trending upward.
