Thailand's August industrial output lowest in 13 months

Illustrative photo (Source: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand's manufacturing production index (MPI) in August decreased by 4.15 percent from a year earlier, the lowest level in 13 months, according to the latest data from the Office of Industrial Economics.

The MPI dropped to 87.71 points in August, mainly caused by COVID-19 outbreak which affected production and jobs. However, the index kept growing during the first eight months of this year, driven by increased exports as a result of an improving global economic recovery trend.

The export sector continued to expand for the sixth consecutive month, led by exports of industrial goods such as auto parts, electronics, electrical appliances and plastic pellets.

Manufacturing of electronic components and boards showed an increase of 12.45 percent year-on-year mainly due to growing demand from the home appliance, telecommunications and medical equipment.

Rubber production also grew by 12.06 percent from the same period last year, with more orders from China and rising demand for rubber tyres./.

VNA