[BANGKOK] Thailand's manufacturing production index (MPI) in May dropped 23.19 per cent from a year earlier, led by lower production of cars, petroleum and air conditioners due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, the industry ministry said on Monday.

That compares with a forecast for a drop of 21.0 per cent in a Reuters poll, and against April's revised decline of 18.22 per cent.

Capacity utilisation in May was 52.84 per cent, compared with April's revised 51.27 per cent.

REUTERS