The figures demonstrate that developing nations in South East Asia require high quality coal to meet increased electricity demand, powered by the growing urbanisation of the population, Evans said.

“There are around 361 million people in the South East Asian region that have no electricity according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Australian coal exports are perfectly positioned to help play a central role in helping reduce energy poverty,” he said.

“The increase in demand by Thailand for Australian coal exports reflects recent export increases to Vietnam. In February, Platts reported that demand for Australian coal from Vietnam increased by 538.8% in February 2016 compared to February 2015.

“The IEA forecast that Australia’s exports of coal will grow by 36.7% to 2040, increasing the Australian share of the global coal trade from 29% in 2013 to 33% in 2040.”

Australian coal exports to Thailand grew from 142,821 tonnes in April 2015 to 556,487t in April 2016, according to Platts.

Further, from the period January to April, Australian coal exports to Thailand rose 20% cent to 1.37Mt year on year.