Sentiment in Thailand's industrial sector rose for the first time in nine months in September, driven partly by higher orders from both domestic and overseas companies.

The Federation of Thai Industries said Wednesday that its monthly survey found the Thai Industries Sentiment Index inched up to 82.8 in September from 82.4 in August.

The latest survey, which polled 1,201 respondents representing 44 industrial groups, suggested that the improved sentiment was due to higher purchase orders from overseas clients and on hopes of more business activity as local operators continued to expand into neighboring countries.