BANGKOK, Apr 25: Thailand’s customs-cleared exports rose again in March from a year earlier, government data showed on Monday, contrary to market expectations for a contraction. Exports increased 1.3 percent, driven by gold, cars and machinery, customs data showed. That compares with the median forecast of a 4.6 percent drop in a Reuters poll. Shipments to all major markets fell, including declines of 1.4 percent to the United States and 5.4 percent to China. But exports to Southeast Asian countries rose 4.5 percent and those to Australia were up 3.5 percent from a year earlier. On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak had said March exports increased from a year earlier. In February, exports grew 10.27 percent, ending a 13 month-streak of declines, but the increase stemmed from two unusual items – military helicopters and a surge in gold shipments. Thai shipments, worth more than 60 percent of economic output, shrank the past three years and the central bank has forecast they will fall 2 percent this year.
(AGENCIES)
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