The Trade Landscape between Thailand and South Korea: Trade Patterns, Opportunities, and Challenges in Exporting Thai Products to South Korea

Authors

  • Supitchaya Lee วิทยาลัยนวัตกรรมการจัดการ มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลรัตนโกสินทร์
  • Wiphat Mankan วิทยาลัยนวัตกรรมการจัดการ มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลรัตนโกสินทร์
  • Pensri Chirinang Chirinang วิทยาลัยนวัตกรรมการจัดการ มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลรัตนโกสินทร์
  • Voradej Chandarasorn วิทยาลัยนวัตกรรมการจัดการ มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลรัตนโกสินทร์

Keywords:

Trade Landscape, Trade Patterns, Trade Opportunities, Trade Challenges, Thai Exports to South Korea

Abstract

Over the past two decades, Economic and trade relations between Thailand and South Korea have developed and significantly prospered. With driven by strong economic growth and diversified consumer preferences in both countries, as a result, South Korea has become an important trading partner for Thailand. This article aims to analyze the current trade landscape between Thailand and South Korea, focusing on investigating and analyzing trade patterns, opportunities, and challenges in exporting Thai products to the South Korean market to identify opportunities for Thai products in the South Korean market and the challenges Thai exporters face when exporting goods to South Korea. Furthermore, it has provided strategic recommendations to elevate trade relations and maximize the benefits of this bilateral trade cooperation.

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Published

2024-04-30

How to Cite

Lee, S. ., Mankan, W. ., Chirinang, P. C., & Chandarasorn, V. . (2024). The Trade Landscape between Thailand and South Korea: Trade Patterns, Opportunities, and Challenges in Exporting Thai Products to South Korea. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Review, Lampang Rajabhat University, 12(1), 12–26. retrieved from https://so15.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jhssrlpru/article/view/2173

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Section

Research Article