Annual industrial output rose in November, after falling in the previous month, on higher production of cars, engines and rubber products.
The manufacturing production index (MPI) in November rose 4.23% from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said on Thursday. The median forecast in a Reuters poll was for a 1.90% rise.
October data was revised to a year-on-year fall of 0.33% from a 0.48% rise reported earlier.
In the January-November period, the index rose 1.52% from a year earlier. The ministry expects output to rise 1.5% this year and 2% next year.
Capacity utilisation at factories in November was at 64.16%, up from a revised 60.19% in October.
Industrial goods account for 80% of total exports, which in turn make up about two-thirds of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
The Bank of Thailand expects the economy to grow 3.9% for this year and next, while 2016's growth was 3.2%, still lagging regional peers.