Thai industrial production sector recovers quickly

BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) - Industry Minister Mom Rajawong Pongvas Svasti reported on Sunday that Thailand’s industrial production sector had almost recovered to its normal level after it was hit by floods last year. To date, more than 600 out of 839 plants in seven industrial estates of Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces were now in operation; while more than 7,600 factories outside the estates resumed production. Pongvas added that he would be seeking for a 3.2-billion baht funding from the Cabinet this Tuesday, for the construction of flood dykes around the estates, and the project should be completed by August. Meanwhile, Witoon Simachokedee, permanent secretary for Industry, announced on Sunday that industry players hit by last year’s flooding were eligible for special privileges from the Board of Investment, namely tariff exemption for the purchase of machinery, free visa and work permit processing fees, as well as income tax rebates. (TNA)