Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan has advised Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to be prudent before commenting on issues involving Burma. Mr Surin stressed the need to approach the political situation in Burma with an in-depth understanding and respect for its sensitivity.

The government should gauge its readiness to explain Burma to the world, he said.

His comments followed Mr Samak’s offer on his Sunday television programme to mediate with the international community.

Mr Samak said Westerners are overly critical of Burma and he has new-found respect for the junta following his visit to the country last Friday.

Mr Surin, who was foreign minister during the Democrat-led coalition government from mid-1997 to 2001, said Asean _ the Association of Southeast Asian Nations _ supports reconciliation in Burma, the role the United Nations is handling until Asean member countries find solutions and the Burmese junta opens itself to Asean’s help.

The junta has been condemned by the international community for its crackdown on peaceful street protests against the military regime in September.

In a related development, Burmese police raided an island underneath the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge in Tak’s Mae Sot district yesterday and arrested seven suspected Burmese gang members.

Around 100 armed Burmese police and volunteers burned down the shelters and took away the suspects, while Thai authorities were told to stand guard on the Thai side.

Burma moved at the request of Tak governor Chumporn Polarak who said Burmese gangs on the island in the Moei river wielded much influence.

They trafficked speed pills and attacked Thai and foreign tourists at the Thai border market.

A gang of Burmese illegals occupying the island is believed to have been behind the attack on Pol Sgt Ake-kachai Biewnoi. The Thai policeman was shot in the torso on the island on March 3.