BANGKOK, Nov 3, 2008 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat headed to Laos for his first official visit on Monday, where he said he intended to strengthen existing ties with one of the kingdom's key regional allies.

"The visit to Laos is to introduce myself, as Thailand has a new government. We will reaffirm to Laos that we maintain the same policies," Somchai told reporters shortly before leaving Bangkok for Vientiane on Monday
morning.

Somchai, who became Thailand's premier in September, said he may discuss the ethnic minority Lao Hmong migrants - long a thorn in the side of relations between the neighbours - with his Laotian counterparts.

"It depends on whether this topic is brought up (by Laos)," he said.

Thousands of Lao Hmong live in a detention camp in Thailand. They are requesting political asylum in third countries, saying they fear persecution because many Hmong once fought alongside US forces during the Vietnam war.

Thailand, however, claims they are economic migrants seeking work, and has been slowly shipping the Hmong back to Laos, to the horror of human rights groups who say that some may genuinely be in danger of persecution.

During his one-day visit, Somchai is due to meet his counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh and President Choummaly Sayasone.

Thailand has lately been cultivating Laos as a key regional ally, with the the energy-hungry nation buying increasing amounts of electricity from their communist neighbour to the north.

Somchai, who became premier after his predecessor Samak Sundaravej was forced out of office for hosting TV cooking shows, will return to Thailand later Monday.