Thailand's exports rose to a 22- month high at 42.1 percent last month, the Bangkok Post's website reported Friday, citing Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai.

The exports' value in May was 16.55 billion U.S. dollars, while the imports' value was 14.34 billion U.S. dollars, resulting in the country's trade surplus of 2.21 billion U.S. dollars, she said.

The country's exports in the first five months (Jan-May) of this year totaled 75.02 billion U.S. dollars, up 34.5 percent year- on-year, while the total value of imports was 70.97 billion U.S. dollars, up 54.9 percent.

The country saw a trade surplus of 4.05 billion U.S. dollars from January to May this year.

On May 17, Porntiva said the ministry is confident said the exports for 2010 will grow at least 14.0 percent year-on-year, or equivalent to over 170 billion U.S dollars.