BANGKOK, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's industrial output expanded for a third straight month in June, driven by a recovery in the automotive production and ongoing export growth, official data showed on Wednesday.
The Southeast Asian country's manufacturing production index (MPI) rose 0.58 percent last month compared to a year earlier, slowing from a revised 1.94 percent increase in May, according to the Ministry of Industry.
Automotive production soared 17.02 percent year-on-year in June, marking a third consecutive month of growth, bolstered by mid-year promotional campaigns and intensified price competition, said the ministry's Office of Industrial Economics Director-General Passakorn Chairat.
The value of industrial product shipments expanded 17.6 percent in June, indicating the 15th successive month of growth, mainly thanks to accelerated shipments in anticipation of upcoming U.S. tariffs, Passakorn told a news conference.
The uncertainty surrounding the U.S. trade measures continued to weigh on the Thai industrial sector, alongside geopolitical tensions and appreciation of the baht currency, Passakorn said.
Sluggish private consumption, stemming from high household debt, continued to hamper industrial product sales as consumers remained cautious on spending, while a slowdown in the tourism sector also affected related industries, he said. ■
