Industrial output unexpectedly rose for a second straight month in September, helped by stronger sales of air conditioners and jewellery, but the gain was much smaller than in August, suggesting a recovery remains fragile.
The Industry Ministry said on Monday its manufacturing production index (MPI) in September was up 0.6% from a year earlier. A Reuters poll had forecast a fall of 0.3%.
In August, output rose a revised 3.18% from a year earlier, rather than the 3.13% increase reported earlier which was the highest growth in 40 months.
Industrial goods accounted for 81% of total exports in September, which unexpectedly rose 3.4% from a year earlier, earlier customs data showed. Shipments are worth about two-thirds of the economy.
Capacity utilisation rose to 65.23% in September from August's revised 64.42%.
Exports have contracted in the past three years but there are indications the dire situation is turning around.
On Friday, the Finance Ministry said it expects exports this year to shrink less than it initially forecast.
Separately, the Commerce Ministry said exports might not contract this year, with commodity prices expected to improve along with higher oil prices and global demand.
The Bank of Thailand has forecast the economy will grow 3.2% this year, up from 2.8% last year.
