Thai April factory output rises for 2nd straight month

[BANGKOK] Thailand's industrial output rose for a second straight month in April but the recovery remains fragile with both exports and domestic consumption weak.

The Industry Ministry said on Tuesday its manufacturing production index (MPI) in April increased 1.54 per cent from a year earlier. A Reuters poll forecast a rise of 0.8 per cent.

In March, output rose a revised 2.2 per cent from a year earlier, its first annual gain in three months.

Industrial goods accounted for nearly 79 per cent of total exports in April, which contracted 8 per cent from a year earlier, customs data showed.

April's output rise was led by cars and car parts, air conditioners and petroleum.

Capacity utilisation was at 58.43 per cent in April, down from March's revised 72.79 per cent.

Exports have shrunk over the past three years. The central bank projects shipments will fall 2 per cent this year and the economy will grow 3.1 per cent.

REUTERS