Published on October 19, 2005

Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon Wednesday said he would “suspend” any contact with Malaysia if it did not show sincerity in dealing with an escalating war of words sparked by 131 Thai Muslims seeking refuge across the border to Malaysia.

“Our dialogue and contact with Malaysia’s foreign ministry can proceed if the country does what it has promised in dealing with the issue,” said Kantathi.

He quoted his Malaysian counterpart, Syed Hamid Albar, as saying both countries should not try to solve the ongoing problem over the future of the 131 Thais by making statements in the media.

“We have always been in touch and understood each other well, but when he gives interviews to the press his remarks take on a different character,” said Kantathi.

“We want them to show sincerity, then we will contact them again,” he said of his counterpart’s ministry “since such inappropriate words” were used at the weekend.

Thailand and Malaysia have repeatedly thrown down a volley of words at each other, with the former accusing the latter of not being sincere about solving the problem. Kuala Lumpur recently lashed out, saying Bangkok needed to be more mature.

Kantathi said Thailand still had some contact with Malaysia, but was waiting for its neighbour to send a positive signal through diplomatic channels.

The minister said the “inappropriate words” came in an interview where Syed Hamid defended his country’s right to criticise Thailand.

“Why does he have to use this word? We should be cooperating and exchanging views and ideas in order to solve the problem,” Kantathi said.

“We’re not telling them to change their policies or whatever, we just want to say it’s not constructive to use certain words when talking with the media. I want to see sincerity,” he said.

Bilateral relations have deteriorated since 131 Thai Muslims from southern Narathiwat province crossed the border in August, saying they were fleeing separatist unrest and triggering a tussle between the governments over their fate.

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