Thai PM to Visit Myanmar Friday - Government

July 28, 2009: Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will pay a one-day visit to Myanmar Friday, the same day as a court there is set to deliver a verdict in the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, the government said.

But Thailand said that Abhisit - the current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, of which both countries are members - would not "directly" bring up the case during his trip.

"The purpose of the visit is to cement ties and to discuss the crackdown on drugs and migrant workers," Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

"The prime minister will discuss the overall situation but not directly address the Suu Kyi issue," Panitan added.

"Thailand will explain its stance on the demand to free political prisoners (in Myanmar) and push ahead with national reconciliation. Thailand has made the same statements as chairman of the Asean."

Democracy leader Suu Kyi faces up to five years in jail when a prison court hands down judgment Friday in her trial on charges of breaching the terms of her house arrest.

The charges relate to an incident in May when an American man swam uninvited to her house.

The case has drawn fierce international criticism, but Panitan said the Thai premier would reaffirm the Asean stance on noninterference in the internal affairs of member states and its opposition to U.S. and E.U. sanctions.

"Thailand will not interfere with Myanmar's internal affairs, and neither does Thailand agree with sanctions, which are not good for Asean," he said.

Abhisit is set to meet the leader of Myanmar's military junta, Senior General Than Shwe, and Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein during his visit.

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