The construction market in Thailand stands at a critical juncture. On one hand, the government’s strong commitment to major infrastructure projects creates significant opportunities for the building materials sector. On the other hand, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and maritime transport disruptions are placing heavy pressure on costs and supply chains.
Major Infrastructure Projects & Growing Demand
Despite global challenges, Thailand’s construction sector maintains a positive trajectory, driven primarily by public investment. At the forefront are flagship mega-projects such as the Land Bridge development (estimated at $31 billion) connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea, the expansion of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), rapid growth in data centers, and the expansion of mass transit rail networks in Bangkok.
However, the sharp rise in building material costs—currently at their highest levels since 2020—is forcing construction companies to seek optimization solutions, durable high-value materials, and more efficient supply chains.
Middle East Disruptions & Freight Cost Pressures
Escalating tensions in the Middle East and ongoing risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have sounded alarms across the nation’s business community. As highlighted by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, mandatory rerouting of shipping lanes to alternative ports in the UAE and Oman is leading to:
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Spikes in ocean freight rate and maritime insurance premiums.
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Upward pressure on energy and fuel prices.
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Delivery delays for raw material shipments.
Marble Import Breakdown: The 2025 Landscape
Thailand’s marble import statistics clearly reflect the structure of domestic demand alongside the key trade partners servicing the market.
In 2025, total marble imports reached $24.33 million, with processed marble holding the lion’s share ($13.58 million or 55.8%), compared to $10.75 million for raw materials.
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China Dominates Processed Marble: China stands out as the undisputed leader in finished products. Out of Thailand’s $8.10 million total marble imports from China in 2025, $7.59 million was processed marble, accounting for over 55% of the country’s total imported finished marble.
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Italy Leads in Unprocessed Blocks: Italy maintains its dominant position as the primary supplier of raw material. Out of $5.95 million in total Italian marble exports to Thailand in 2025, $3.71 million was raw blocks and slabs, supplying high-end local processing facilities.
The Q1 2026 Shift Towards Raw Materials
Data for the first quarter of 2026 (Q1) reveals a notable structural adjustment. Out of total marble imports worth $5.76 million, demand for raw blocks surged to 60.6% ($3.49 million), while processed marble dropped to $2.27 million.
This trend indicates that domestic stone processing plants are ramping up local production, likely to contain overall costs against rising freight rates for imported finished products. During Q1 2026, Italy remained the main supplier of raw material ($1.16 million out of $3.49 million total), while China maintained its leadership in processed marble ($1.40 million).
Overview of Thailand Marble Imports (in USD)
| Period / Origin | Total Imports ($) | Processed ($) | Raw / Unprocessed ($) | Raw Share (%) |
| Full Year 2025 | 24,333,000 | 13,580,000 | 10,753,000 | 44.2% |
| ↳ China | 8,103,000 | 7,591,000 | 512,000 | 6.3% |
| ↳ Italy | 5,951,000 | 2,238,000 | 3,713,000 | 62.4% |
| 2026 Q1 | 5,759,000 | 2,268,000 | 3,491,000 | 60.6% |
| ↳ China | 1,435,000 | 1,404,000 | 31,000 | 2.2% |
| ↳ Italy | 1,288,000 | 128,000 | 1,160,000 | 90.1% |
Outlook for Exporters
The Thai market presents concrete opportunities for international marble suppliers. However, current market dynamics particularly favor exporters who can offer competitively priced raw blocks, as well as those with the supply chain agility required to navigate Southeast Asian logistics hurdles.
