The ministry was reacting to Thai media reports quoting Nitya as saying he had personally warned Yeo there would be "reactions" from Bangkok if Singapore allowed Thaksin to meet Jayakumar.

The meeting went ahead last weekend, sparking a sharp rebuke from the new Thai government installed after Thaksin was deposed in a military coup in September.

Among other actions, Thailand rescinded an invitation to Yeo to visit the country.

Nitya said he had expressed Thailand's concern to Yeo on the sidelines of the Asean summit on the Philippine resort island of Cebu, before the ThaksinJayakumar meeting took place.

"I emphasised that it was something unacceptable," Nitya was quoted as saying.

The Singaporean Foreign Ministry statement confirmed that Nitya had spoken to Yeo "two or three times" in Cebu about Thaksin's visit.

"Minister Yeo said that while he understood the Thai Government's concern, he also sought Minister Nitya's understanding of the Singapore Government's position.

"Minister Yeo assured Minister Nitya that Dr Thaksin would have no official meeting in Singapore and that his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar would be completely social and private."

In a separate statement, the Foreign Ministry said Singapore had no intention of harming bilateral ties.

"Singapore's foreign policy is to be friends with all, including Thailand, and not to jeopardise bilateral relations," the statement said.

"At the same time, our policy is to accord the normal courtesies to former leaders. Many former leaders have come by Singapore, and there was never a problem."

Agence France Presse