The Bank of Thailand said in its latest monthly economic report that Thailand's manufacturing production sector shrunk 7.8% YoY in April 2011 from the same period last year.

Mr Mathee Supapongse senior director for domestic economy at BOT said that the decline in manufacturing was attributable to supply disruption in the automobile industry in Japan.

Private consumption grew by 4.5% YoY, slowing down from the previous month, reflecting mainly a decline in domestic vehicle sales in light of shortage of fans from Japan.

Mr Mathee said that "The impact from the earthquake and tsunami on March 11th 2011 in Japan on local automotive and electronics manufacturing is expected to last until the fourth quarter, but it is likely to ease in the third quarter of the year."

Exports totaled USD 17.24 billion, up by 24.7% YoY, imports totaled USD 17.7 billion, up by 26.3% YoY in April 2011. The economy recorded a USD 477 million trade deficit and USD 165 million current account deficit in April 2011.

(Sourced from www.bangkokpost.com)