Thai manufacturing index rises on election activityCampaign posters are seen along a footpath in Bangkok prior to the Feb 8 election. Election-related business helped lift manufacturing activity in January. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Factory activity in Thailand picked up in January, driven by heightened political activity during the election campaign and strong demand in the automotive sector, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) rose 1.4% year-on-year to 101.58 points, compared with from 95.02 in December, said Supakit Boonsiri, the director-general of the Office. In January, automotive manufacturing rose 6.3% year-on-year, fuelled by demand for hybrid EVs and BEVs in the domestic market, with price competition boosting sales volume.

Source: Bangkok Post February 26, 2026 10:36 UTC