But the move by Bangkok to assist the junta-led Burmese Government runs contrary to punitive measures applied to Rangoon by the EU, the US and Japan.

The measures were put in place following the detention of the Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The BBC's Kylie Morris in Bangkok says there has been pressure from Washington on Thailand to use every possible means to promote democratic change in Burma and achieve the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

'Constructive engagement'

The Thai leader has not declared whether or not he will raise the subject of her detention on his visit to Rangoon, but has said he will talk to the Burmese generals about national reconciliation.

Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest has sparked outrage

Our correspondent adds that Mr Shinawatra seems determined to pursue a path of constructive engagement with Burma. Mr Shinawatra says that approach is aimed at establishing a region that is more stable both politically and economically.But some Thai analysts say it is more about business than anything else.

Mixing business with politics

While the US has banned imports from Burma and the EU has suspended trade privileges, Thailand is moving to smooth the way for trade with Burma by scrapping import duties on raw materials to zero.

Thailand says an open border is crucial to regional trade

The so-called Economic Co-operation Strategy offers the same deal to Laos and Cambodia in an arrangement that is aimed at helping Thailand to buy goods and benefit from cheap labour across its borders.

That is meant in turn to create more jobs for its neighbours through increased demand. Our correspondent says that Vietnam is absent from the deal, possibly because of its burgeoning economic ties with China.

She says that Thailand's engagement with its neighbours and Burma in particular reflects the aspirational status of the Mr Shinawatra's government.

The retirement of Malaysia's long-term leader Mahathir Mohammed led to some speculation that the Thai leader was looking to step into his shoes as the big man of South-East Asia.

But comments at the weekend that he will consider retiring from politics at the end of his second term have surprised many.

Discussing the details of a cabinet reshuffle, he said it will not take 22 years like Malaysia for him to achieve his objectives - adding that eight years should be enough in Thailand.

He has given fresh priority to wiping out poverty, getting rid of corruption and solving urban problems.

But as long as the flow of drugs and illegal workers from Burma continues into Thailand's cities, an improvement of the situation in Burma will be intrinsic to his own government's success.

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