Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra defended his lightning visit to Burma on Wednesday as modern diplomacy that would improve bilateral contacts.

"Certain individuals, particularly those with ill-intentions, tried to criticise my trip, even though it is normal for government leaders to keep in touch through working visits," he said in his weekly radio address yesterday.

Thaksin said he was the first foreign leader to visit Burma's new capital Pyinmana, also known as Naypyidaw.

He admitted to requesting a meeting with the leader of the Burmese military junta, Senior General Than Swe, when he had talks with a Burmese military intelligence officer at an Asean meeting in Bangkok in July.

"Burmese authorities called to confirm the meeting on Monday and I cleared my work on Tuesday before travelling to Burma the next day," he said.

Thaksin said he had notified Philippine President and Asean chair Gloria Arroyo before his departure.

"Arroyo asked me to convey the concerns of Asean that she and I discussed at the birthday dinner for the Sultan of Brunei," he said, referring to his visit to Brunei on July 15.

He said he had conveyed Arroyo's message to Than Swe and his deputy Muang Ae, adding that his talks with Than Swe covered every aspect of bilateral relations. They also discussed Asean, the recent Asia-Europe Meeting and the United States.

He did not elaborate on the details.

He said Thai-Burmese bilateral relations remained strong, particularly on energy co-operation.

Burmese authorities are co-operating on drug suppression and the Thai firm PTT Exploration and Production has won a concession to develop oil and natural gas in Burma, he said.

Thailand, Burma and China have agreed to develop hydro-power supplies and divert water from Burma to Thai farms, he added.

Meanwhile Suriyasai Katasila, a spokesman for the People's Alliance for Democracy, said that Thaksin's trip had undermined Thailand's standing in the international community.

"Thaksin thinks only about business gains because his family has joint ventures in telecommunications with the Burmese," Suriyasai said.

"After receiving a telephone call, he rushed to report himself to the Burmese leaders like Thailand is a vassal state."

He said Thaksin tried to hide behind diplomacy when he was actually a salesman.

"What Thaksin did helped his family to secure business deals, and the country's image has been tarnished as a result," he added.

Suriyasai said Thaksin's motive for visiting Burma was to negotiate deals for Shin Satellite Plc.