BANGKOK (NNT) - The Industry Ministry has announced that Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) in April rose for a second straight month and at the fastest pace for more than eight years.


Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) Director-General Thongchai Chawalitpichaet said the MPI jumped 18.46% from a year earlier, beating a forecast in a Reuters poll, of a 14.6% increase, and against March’s revised 5.89% increase. The MPI gain was boosted by higher production of automobiles, beer and air conditioners.


He said the MPI this month should be supported by coming off a low base in 2020, when the government imposed strict measures to contain the first COVID-19 outbreak.


Mr. Thongchai added that the current wave of infections, which has included clusters detected in factories, may affect some production, but should not have a significant impact on overall output as the infections were limited to certain groups and are not affecting supply chains.

National News Bureau Of Thailand