BANGKOK, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Office of Industrial Economics under the Ministry of Industry on Tuesday reported the biggest drop in manufacturing production index (MPI) in 29 months.

Aditad Vasinonta, deputy director-general of the Office of Industrial Economics told the media that MPI fell 5.54 percent from a year earlier, dragged down by lower production of cars, rubber products and petroleum.

"The decline resulted from the continuous slowdown of the global economy and trade," said Aditad. "June's index resulted in the MPI in the second quarter of this year to shrink by 2.64 percent year-on-year."

Aditad said one of the main negative factors behind the decline was due to the automotive industry.

"Automobile production fell 8.52 percent in June from domestic sales as a result of stricter control on automobile finance," said Aditad. "The local automobile manufacturing dropped for the first time in 30 months. However, we see a 2.4-percent rise in automobile export also in 30 months."

The press release indicated that positive factors for MPI were palm oil, air-conditioners, pharmacy, chemical products for medical treatment, non-alcoholic beverages and beer.