Bangkok, June 2 -- Thailand's industrial output has turned positive for the first time in nine months, with the automotive sector rebounding after a 21-month slump, said Thai Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul.

This signals the start of a potential recovery in the manufacturing sector, which has remained a persistent weakness in the economy in recent years.

The Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) rose by 2.2% year-on-year in April, marking its first positive growth in nine months.

However, Paopoom stressed the need for close monitoring to determine whether the trend is sustainable.

In April, MPI for the automotive industry - a key sector the government has been watching closely due to its prolonged contraction - also showed ...