Thailand may bar KL opposition

Thailand may bar KL opposition

BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand said on Wednesday it was ready to cooperate fully with Malaysia to prevent Malaysian opposition figures fleeing the country across the Thai border.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Malaysia had made no official request for Thai assistance in monitoring travelers or to close the border following the arrest of ousted finance minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday.

"There are reports that the Malaysian side is imposing strict measures to prevent opposition figures from fleeing to Thailand," ministry spokesman Kobsak Jutikul told a Thai television station.

The Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has seen two days of sometimes violent protests by Anwar supporters since his arrest.

Kobsak said the situation in Malaysia was "worrisome" and that the deteriorating economy would be a decisive factor affecting the fate of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.