Live Updates > Live Update Details
2026-05-28 12:27:11
[Thailand's April Factory Output Unexpectedly Declines, Middle East Conflict and High Costs Drag Down Industry] 1. Data released by Thailand's Ministry of Industry on Thursday showed that the country's manufacturing production index fell 0.36% year-on-year in April, missing market expectations. A previous media survey showed analysts generally predicted a 0.2% year-on-year increase. March's data was revised to a 1.30% year-on-year increase. 2. The Ministry of Industry has lowered its full-year factory output growth forecast from 1.5% to 2.5% to 1.0% to 2.0%, reflecting a more cautious economic outlook. 3. The Ministry of Industry pointed out that the decline in output was mainly due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and persistently high production costs squeezing corporate profits. In addition, the decline in the tourism industry, a key pillar of the Thai economy, also dragged down related manufacturing sectors. 4. Data shows that Thailand's factory output increased by 0.94% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year. The Ministry of Industry expects output to rebound month-on-month in May.
