BANGKOK, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's industrial output grew in March, driven by a rebound in the petroleum and automotive industries, robust export expansion and higher foreign tourist arrivals, official data showed on Thursday.
The Southeast Asian country's manufacturing production index (MPI) rose 0.75 percent last month compared to a year earlier, ticking up from a revised 0.09 percent increase in February, according to the Ministry of Industry.
For the first quarter of 2026, the MPI climbed 0.83 percent year on year, while capacity utilization averaged 61.26 percent, the minister said in a statement.
A smooth government formation helped maintain continuity in state stimulus measures, providing further support to overall economic and industrial activity, said Supakit Boonsiri, director general of the ministry's Office of Industrial Economics.
Despite signs of growth in March, prolonged geopolitical tensions, trade protectionis measures, higher logistics and energy costs, and increasing competition from imported products continued to weigh on domestic manufacturers, Supakit told a news conference.
He noted that management of external headwinds, particularly the Middle East conflict, which has pushed up production costs, alongside efforts to strengthen domestic demand, will be key to sustaining the momentum going forward. ■
