BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s manufacturing manufacturing index unexpectedly rose 3.43% in April from a yr earlier, rising for the primary time in 19 months, helped by larger exports and tourism, the business ministry stated on Thursday.
The determine in contrast with a forecast of a 1.1% year-on-year fall for April in a Reuters ballot, and adopted an annual lower of 5.13% in March.
The output rise in April, the primary month-to-month improve since September 2022, was additionally as a consequence of a low base final yr, Siripen Kiatfuengfoo, deputy director normal of the Workplace of Industrial Economics, advised a information convention.
“It’s good news. It’s the first month of growth after 18 consecutive months of contraction,” she added.
Manufacturing unit output for the January-April interval dropped 2.06% and is anticipated to rise between 0% to 1% for the complete yr, the ministry stated.
Thailand acquired 14.33 million international guests between Jan. 1 and Might 26, up 38% year-on-year, with 2.8 million Chinese language guests and general spending of 683 billion baht, in accordance with tourism ministry knowledge.
Thailand’s exports returned to development in April, and at a a lot quicker tempo than analysts’ expectations, and the commerce ministry anticipated shipments to submit a small acquire within the second quarter.
