Mr Somchai will leave for the Laos capital Vientiane early on Monday from Bangkok's military base, the statement on the government's website said.

He will be greeted by his counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh for bilateral talks before later visiting President Choumaly Sayasone.

It is traditional for Thai heads of state to visit neighbouring nations on taking office.

But Mr Somchai cancelled a trip to Laos and Cambodia last month after deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and police on Oct 7 left two dead and nearly 500 injured.

Mr Somchai's six-week-long premiership has been dogged by ongoing protest rallies by the People's Alliance for Democracy who accuse the government of acting on behalf of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra - Mr Somchai's brother-in-law - who they accuse of corruption and nepotism. -- AFP