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The sentiment index for the next three months however rose to 46.0 in April from 41.5 in previous month, thanks to increasing orders and improving performance. Private consumption and investment fell in a larger pace but seasonal-adjusted exports in terms of quantity marked the positive growth for the first time.

Net increase in credit outstanding was evident for the first time in the year, with Bt29.4billion, mostly provided for household sector.   It was caused by specialised financial institutions playing an active move to support the government's policy.

"The April data was better than expected," said Bank of Thailand (BOT)'s senior director Amara Sriphayak.

Most components of the index for the next three months increased, particularly production and order.

The future index in terms of order was 43.5, rising from 37.5. In terms of performance it was 50.3, higher than level of 50 for the first time in eight months, compared with 42.2 in March.

Amara said the economic activities were minimal in the month but private consumption, measured by Private Consumption Index (PCI), improved from the previous month. It was 124.3, rising from 123.4 in March.

PCI, however, contracted 5.3 per cent compared with the same period of last year due to base effect. The seasonal-adjusted index expanded in a slower pace of 0.7 per cent from previous month, compared with 2.6 per cent growth in March.

The central bank also said it would stabilise the baht for the balanced benefit of exporters and importers.

 "The macro-economic policy is not for any single group, but for overall. The depreciating baht would cause exporters to obtain more income in terms of the baht, but importers will have rising expenses for imported goods. It is like transferring assets from one group to the other group," said the senior director.