Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says Burma's military government intends to carry out democratic reforms.
Mr. Thaksin warned his Burmese counterpart, General Soe Win, that Burma must take steps toward democracy before it takes over the leadership of ASEAN and hosts its summit in 2006.
Mr. Thaksin said the Burmese prime minister told him that Rangoon will be moving toward reforms and carrying out its so-called "road map" to democracy.
The two men met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos.
ASEAN members generally avoid commenting on each other's internal affairs. But Burma's military government is facing growing international criticism for its suppression of democracy and jailing of political dissidents.