BANGKOK - THAILAND'S current account was in deficit in September despite strong growth in exports giving the kingdom a trade account surplus, the Bank of Thailand said on Friday.

The country recorded a US$703 million (S$1.04 billion) deficit in its Sept current account, compared with a US$1.74 billion surplus one year ago, the central bank said in its monthly report.

Negative net income and net transfers from abroad forced Thailand into an overall deficit.

Export growth rose to 19.5 per cent year-on-year with the trade surplus at US$142 million.

'Export growth in Sept sped up from the previous month, which recorded 15.5 per cent growth. This came from growth in export volumes while export prices decreased in most sectors except fisheries,' said Mr Amara Sriphayak, senior director at the bank's domestic economy department.

Export revenue totalled US$15.66 billion in Sept with a rise in the value of farm goods and higher volumes of electrical appliance, computer and metal product exports.

Imports totalled US$15.52 billion, up 38.6 percent year-on-year in Sept.

Thai shipments to the US grew 10.18 per cent year-on-year to US$1.84 billion, while shipments to Japan increased by 19.86 per cent to US$1.75 billion.

Exports to the EU also rose 11.29 per cent to US$1.97 billion, the central bank said. -- AFP