Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon met the Burmese junta’s top leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe on Thursday, only days after he was rumored to have been ousted in a coup, to discuss bilateral issues.

Kantathi told a press conference after the one-hour meeting the general seemed “in good health.” Coup rumors were fuelled by Than Shwe’s recent disappearance from public view. But Kantathi said ruling generals were preoccupied with making plans for 2006, which the junta described as “crucial.”

He also met other top leaders including the junta’s number two, Deputy Snr-Gen Maung Aye, rumored to have led the coup, and Prime Minister Gen Soe Win. Kantathi is the second senior Thai official to visit Rangoon in recent weeks. Deputy Prime Minister and former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai made a one-day visit on July 25.

During his two-day visit, Kantathi also talked with officials about bilateral business ties. Thailand’s state-owned Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production revealed in August its interest in buying a 15 percent stake in a new, nearly-completed offshore oil field. Energy-starved Thailand also signed an agreement with Rangoon on Tuesday to help to build dams in Burmese rivers.

Other issues discussed during Kantathi’s trip included Burmese migrants in Thailand and joint health and development projects. The Bangkok Post also reported on Thursday that the foreign minister planned to make a 2-million baht donation to Burma’s University for Development of National Races.