BANGKOK, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's industrial confidence declined for a third consecutive month in May due to signs of fewer orders from foreign partners and border tensions that weakened short-term trade sentiment, data showed on Wednesday.
The Thai industries sentiment index dropped to 88.1 last month from 89.9 in April as most components of the index decreased, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The reading was based on a survey of 1,351 entrepreneurs across 47 industry groups under the FTI.
The decline was also attributed to reduced exporter revenues resulting from the rapid appreciation of the Thai baht against regional currencies and falling agricultural prices dampening consumer purchasing power in provincial areas, the FTI said in a statement.
The index forecast for the next three months fell to 91.7 in May from 93.3 a month earlier as entrepreneurs remained concerned over U.S. trade measures that would affect private sector investment decisions and the long-term competitiveness of Thai industries, the FTI said.
The group urged the government to introduce relief measures for entrepreneurs affected by the U.S. tariff-fueled trade war and called for supporting measures for small- and medium-sized enterprises through modern technology. ■
