Asian Development Review (Mar 2019)

Dissecting Thailand's International Trade: Evidence from 88 Million Export and Import Entries

  • Tosapol Apaitan,
  • Piti Disyatat,
  • Krislert Samphantharak

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1162/adev_a_00122
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 36, no. 1
pp. 20 – 53

Abstract

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This paper uses transaction-level data from Thailand to study concentration, specialization, and fragility of export activities. The paper shows that although exports have been an integral part of the development strategy of the country for several decades, direct engagement in international trade through exports is a rare activity. Export firms are different from their nonexport counterparts. Export activities are also extremely concentrated. There is a great deal of churning in Thai exports and exporting relationships are highly fragile. The findings highlight some cautions from a micro perspective about an export-oriented development strategy, particularly regarding concentration and vulnerability.

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