PRIME MINISTER Abhisit Vejjajiva and his family breezed through Phuket today, on their way to a smaller island off Phuket for a New Year holiday.

Phuketwan has been able to confirm independently that they have two nights booked at the Six Senses Hideaway, Yao Noi.

The PM rejected the offer of a golf cart to ride down to the quay at the Ao Po Grand Marina, where he and his wife, his son and daughter, and some young friends, boarded a boat for the short journey to Yao Noi.

He walked down to the quay and said hello and goodbye to Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob, in a pink shirt, Phuket Police Chief Pekad Tantipong, and other dignitaries.

Back in May, the PM and his family took a short break at the equally exclusive Sri Panwa Resort on Phuket's east-coast at Cape Panwa.

The PM's private visits to the Andaman region are a recognition of the reputation that ''Greater Phuket'' is winning as a holiday destination, both among Thais and international travellers.

Members of the Royal family have also been frequent visitors to the region for short breaks.

The PM's earlier visit with his family was followed by the Asean Foreign Ministers Plus Six conference on Phuket with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton among those who attended and praised the island's attributes.

Before leaving Bangkok today, Khun Abhisit talked up 2010, saying he believes that the public will ''have more money to spend.''

In a nationally telecast New Year speech, he said the Government will not allow political problems to obstruct national development.