Narayana Murthy, head of software giant Infosys Technologies, has been appointed Thailand Premier Thaksin Shinawatra's adviser on information technology matters.

Thaksin on Monday said he has appointed Murthy on his team of advisers as he was impressed by the way the Infosys chief made his company one of the world's top software firms in just a few years.

He said he was also impressed by his efforts in making Bangalore the Silicon Valley of Asia.

Murthy's talent would be utilised to develop Thailand and the southeast Asia in the IT field, he said.

Murthy's appointment was announced by Thaksin at a banking software technology seminar here.

Thailand, he said, has a 10-year plan from 2001 to 2010 to develop IT in all areas of economic activity and governance.

Thaksin, a billionaire telecom magnate, before he became Thailand's Premier, said he wanted to tap Murthy's ability to develop the country in the field of IT.

Meanwhile, Infosys said it had identified Thailand as a target market for its Finacle banking solutions. It has entered into a partnership with Thai companies Datamat and Yip In Tsoi Co Ltd to market Finacle in the region. The banking software is currently used by 67 banks across 21 countries, Infosys said.

Thaksin founded Shin Corp, and has long had a business presence in India. The company's Shin satellite unit has a contract with the Government of India.