BANGKOK – Thailand’s annual factory output growth slowed in July, when COVID-19 containment measures were imposed and extended into August in high-risk areas, as the Southeast Asian country deals with its biggest outbreak to date.
The measures in Bangkok and 28 other provinces, however, will be eased from Sept. 1, allowing more domestic travel, and malls and restaurants to reopen, to help its struggling economy.
The manufacturing production index (MPI) rose 5.12 percent in July from a year earlier, missing a forecast rise of 11 percent in a Reuters poll and against June’s 18.27 percent increase, the industry ministry said on Monday.
While the year-on-year growth was helped by a low base, the output index dropped 7 percent in July from the previous month, with capacity utilization falling to 58.12 percent from 62.50 percent in June.
August output will still be impacted by restrictions but there should be a pickup next month, ministry official Thongchai Chawalitpichaet told a briefing.
