PRIME MINISTER Abhisit Vejjajiva is likely to pay a surprise visit to Phuket for the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean plus Three) Finance Ministers' Meeting on February 22.

The conference is being anticipated with glee by people in tourism who see it as a chance to reinforce the message that the island is a great place for conferences - and holidays.

The 10 nations of Asean and trade partner nations Japan, China, and South Korea are set to gather at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket to discuss efforts to revive the region's economy.

The PM has not officially decided yet whether to join the island gathering. but as an economist, Thailand's financial future remains one of his vital interests.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, an old friend and fellow student at Oxford, will co-chair the Phuket gathering, with the South Korean finance minister.

Khun Abhisit visited the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland recently and is going to attend the G-20 summit in London in early April to share the region's experience in coping with the financial crisis and recovery.

This will mark the first time a Thai leader has joined the meeting of the Group of 20, which includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Britain and the United States. Indonesia is the only South-East Asian representative.

The governor of the Bank of Thailand is to report to the Cabinet this week on the current baht exchange-rate situation.