BANGKOK - Investor confidence in the Thai stock market for the next three months jumped to a five-month high, as the country's COVID-19 lockdown measures eased with lower infection rates and foreign funds flowed in, a capital markets group said on Monday.

The Southeast Asian country has relaxed containment measures from this month to help revive a struggling economy after new coronavirus cases declined in recent weeks. On Monday, Thailand reported 13,988 new cases, down from a record daily high of 23,418 on Aug. 13.

A survey in August by the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FETCO) showed its investor confidence index jumped to 144.37 from 64.37 in the previous month.

The index rebounded to the "bullish zone", with vaccination plans seen as the biggest supportive factor, federation chairman Paiboon Nalinthrangkurn told a briefing.

Thailand's main stock index has risen 13.7% so far this year, with foreign investors buying a net 23.3 billion baht ($719.14 million) of Thai shares in the past two weeks. But they have sold 84 billion baht worth since the start of 2021.

The bond market has attracted net foreign buying of 111 billion baht so far this year.

A separate survey by the Thai Bond Market Association indicated the central bank would keep its key interest rate at a record low of 0.50% at its next meeting on Sept. 29, despite the last meeting's split decision. ($1 = 32.40 baht)

(Reporting by Satawasin Staporncharnchai Writing by Orathai Sririg Editing by Ed Davies) ((orathai.sriring@tr.com;))