Industries show higher confidence in April
Thai Industries Sentiment Index further moved up in April, remaining above the 100-points level for three consecutive months.
Federation of Thai Industries Chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol said this is a sign that the Thai manufacturing sector has resumed normal operations.
The index stood at 104 points in April, against 102.1 in March, boosted by an increase in orders, sale, output and earnings. Payungsak also attributed that to higher consumer confidence at home as well as higher spending during the Songkran Festival.
The expectation index, at 112.6 points from 109.5 points in March, also showed that business operators expect further improvement in the next three months.
However, Payungsak noted that business operators remained concerned over fuel prices. Aside, they were worried about the foreign exchange rates, global economic uncertainties, internal political condition, as well as interest rate.
They also asked for the government's actions to boost domestic consumption and lower the cost of living. Plus, as wage cost heads up on the minimum wage hike, there should be remedial measures. Meanwhile, there should be concrete plans to combat natural disasters.
