Thailand, Myanmar get together

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand says it will hold talks with its estranged neighbor, Myanmar, this week.

The Thailand-Myanmar talks are scheduled for the East Asia-Latin America Forum in the Chilean capital of Santiago from March 29 to 30.

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai told reporters he hoped to talk to Myanmar's delegation head, Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win, at the meeting on how to improve the countries' relationship, which has been severely strained in recent weeks.

"What I will state with my counterpart is neighbors should tackle each problem individually; not let one problem adversely effect the entire relationship," said Surakiart.

Relations between the two neighbors dived last month after border skirmishes between Myanmar troops, their allies in the United Wa State Army (UWSA), and anti-government Shan rebels.

Thailand says the battles spilled over onto Thai soil, forcing a response. Myanmar denies this.

Bangkok says the UWSA is the source of hundreds of millions of methamphetamine stimulant tablets flooding Thailand each year, and has accused Yangon of turning a blind eye to the problem.

Myanmar says Shan rebels are the main drug traffickers.

The two countries, which share a 2,400 km (1,490 miles) border, have waged a war of words since the February clashes.

Surakiart said planned discussion items included the restoration of border trade, strengthening of fishing cooperation and bilateral tourism promotion.

Surakiart said he would also attend a planned informal meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Yangon on April 30.

"I anticipate that Myanmar would view this ASEAN meeting as my courtesy visit and I will agree on that anticipated invitation," Surakiart told reporters.

Myanmar's foreign ministry said Monday the tentative plan for the ASEAN meeting had not yet been confirmed.

"If the planned meeting takes place, the two ministers will discuss bilateral issues," a spokesman said.

Reuters contributed to this report.

See related sites about Asia

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.