BANGKOK, May 28 : Thailand's manufacturing production index dropped 0.36 per cent in April from a year earlier, the industry ministry said on Thursday, weaker than analysts' forecasts.• The April reading compared with a year-on-year increase of 0.2 per cent forecast in a Reuters poll, and followed a revised rise of 1.30 per cent the previous month.• Thai factory output for the full year was seen up 1.0 per cent to 2.0 per cent, lower than the 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent range seen earlier.• Output fell due to the impact of the war in the Middle East and higher costs that put pressure on profits, the ministry said.
• Tourism, a key economic driver, also weakened, impacting related industries.• For the first quarter output grew 0.94 per cent annually, the ministry said.• The outlook for May should be higher if compared to a month-on-month basis, it said.
