BANGKOK, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's industrial output expanded for the first time in three months in September due to a recovery in automotive production and domestic tourism amid government economic stimulus measures, official data showed on Thursday.
The Southeast Asian country's manufacturing production index (MPI) rose 1.02 percent last month compared to a year earlier, rebounding from a revised 4.36 percent decline in August, according to the Ministry of Industry.
Capacity utilization rose to 58.13 percent, up from 57.12 percent in August, reflecting a gradual rebound in the manufacturing sector following a slowdown in the previous quarter, said Supakit Boonsiri, director general of the ministry's Office of Industrial Economics.
One of the main reasons for the growth of the MPI is the expansion in the automotive sector, which saw a year-on-year increase of 5.57 percent, Supakit told a news conference.
Despite challenges such as the strong baht currency, signs of recovery are evident going forward, particularly in industrial production and exports, the official noted. ■