Thai Jan factory output falls 2.8%, smaller drop than forecast

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's manufacturing production index (MPI) in January contracted 2.8% from a year earlier as a coronavirus outbreak impacted domestic activity, the industry ministry said on Thursday, though the figure beat analyst expectations.

The reading compared with a forecast for a fall of 4.4% in a Reuters poll and December's revised 2.8% decline.

(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon and Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Ed Davies)