Myanmar hits out at Thailand

Myanmar hits out at Thailand

THAILAND: Myanmar hit out on Friday against Thailand's demands that it close down drug laboratories on their common border, saying the comments were harmful to bilateral relations.

Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win summoned Thailand's charge d' affaires to Myanmar Opas Chantarasap on Thursday to complain about Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's warning, which made front-page news in Bangkok.

Thaksin warned earlier this week that if Myanmar did not wipe out its drug trade, which is pumping vast amounts of methamphetamines across the border, Thailand would be forced to close down the drug labs itself.

Deputy premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh upped the pressure on Thursday, accusing Myanmar's ruling junta of "indifference", in rare criticism from the former army chief who is a close ally of the Yangon generals. -- AFP