Thai Sept factory output falls 2.6%, first decline in 17 months

[BANGKOK] Thailand's manufacturing production index (MPI) in September contracted for the first time in 17 months, down 2.6 per cent from a year earlier, led by lower production of cars and rubber, the Industry Ministry said on Tuesday.

That compares with a 0.5 per cent drop seen in a Reuters poll and August's 0.79 per cent increase, which was revised up slightly from the first reading of a 0.66 per cent rise.

Capacity utilisation was at 66.35 per cent in September, after August's revised 66.34 per cent.

REUTERS