A day after protesters lifted their blockade of two Bangkok airports, the Thai embassy here cited statements by President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman Anthony Golez and pro-Arroyo Senator Richard Gordon.

Mr Golez last week implied that Filipinos were more politically mature than their Thai counterparts and that similar political turmoil 'would be a very remote scenario' in the Philippines 'because our people have reached a high degree of political maturity whereby our people respect due process and the rule of law.'

The Thai embassy responded by saying the comments 'are not based on facts and may have some implication of hidden agendas,' instead saying the protests showed that 'Thai people are free to exercise their political right based on democracy.'

'The statements made by Mr. Golez and Senator Gordon (do) not positively contribute to our good and long lasting relations between our two countries and peoples,' said the statement by Thai Ambassador Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya.

The Thai embassy also noted the assistance provided to over 500 Filipinos who were stranded by the occupation of the Bangkok airports and cited the principle of non-interference among members of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean). Both Thailand and the Philippines are members of Asean.

Mr Gordon and Mr Golez made the remarks comparing the Philippines to Thailand amid another impeachment effort in Congress against President Arroyo for alleged massive corruption and election fraud.

The impeachment effort was defeated by Mrs Arroyo's allies in Congress but anti-Arroyo forces vowed to mount large street protests in coming days.

Mrs Arroyo won a six-year term in 2004 amid accusations of fraud. -- AFP