Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he will try to persuade Burma's military government to negotiate with ethnic rebel groups when he visits Rangoon next month.
Mr. Thaksin is scheduled to visit the Burmese capital February ninth and 10th for talks aimed at resolving the political conflict, which he blames for violence and rampant drug trafficking along the border with Thailand.
The Thai government has announced plans to launch a major drug eradication campaign February first.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.