'Thailand disagrees with sanctions,' Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama told reporters before leaving for Myanmar with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who was making a one-day official visit to the country.

Myanmar is under US and European sanctions, which have been tightened after the junta's bloody crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests in September 2007.

At least 31 people were killed and 74 reported missing during the violence, according to the United Nations. Human Rights Watch has put the number of dead at about 100 people, far higher than the 15 dead reported by the junta.

But Mr Noppadon said Thailand favoured negotiations over sanctions, adding that talks with iron-fisted generals could lead to positive developments in the country, which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

The foreign minister also said the kingdom was ready to help Myanmar hold its constitutional referendum planned for May.

'If Myanmar wants assistance from Thailand, we are ready to offer help as a friendly country,' Mr Noppadon said.

Myanmar's junta has already refused UN technical assistance and foreign observers at the May referendum, which the regime says will pave the way for elections in 2010.

If held, the polls would be the first since detained democracy leader Ms Aung San Suu Kyi led the National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in 1990 elections, a result never recognised by the regime.

But the new constitution would bar Ms Aung San Suu Kyi from future elections because of her marriage to a foreigner, the late Briton Michael Aris. The junta already refused to amend the charter in talks with UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari.

Thailand is one of the biggest investors and trading partners in Myanmar, spending billions of dollars a year to tap into the country's natural gas and hydropower resources to power its own growing economy.

Mr Samak is expected to discuss two major energy projects between Myanmar and Thailand during the visit, government spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat said on Thursday.

Pro-democracy group urges 'No' on Myanmar constitution
One of Myanmar's main pro-democracy groups on Friday urged voters to reject the ruling junta's proposed constitution when it goes to a referendum in May.

The regime says approval of the charter will clear the way to multi-party elections in 2010, but the 88 Generation Students' Group said it would only enshrine military rule.

'This constitution is designed to protect and promote the interests, wealth and security of generals and their cronies,' the group said in a statement.

'This constitution will allow the military dictatorship to perpetuate in Burma,' it added, using the country's previous name.

The 88 Generation Students' Group launched anti-government protests last August, harnessing public anger over a surprise hike in fuel prices.

Top leaders of the group have been arrested, but Buddhist monks continued the demonstrations and they snowballed into the biggest challenge to military rule in nearly two decades.

The military smashed the protests by firing into the crowds, which by their peak had swelled to more than 100,000 people.

Revered Buddhist monks were detained and beaten and at least 31 people were killed, according to the United Nations.

The 88 Generation Students, named after student-led protests in 1988 that were also brutally crushed, urged voters to reject the constitution to show their opposition to the military's violent tactics.

'With our 'No' votes, we will clean the blood and dirt stained on the bodies of our revered monks by the soldiers,' the group said.

'You do not need to be afraid. The authorities have no right to arrest you for voting against this constitution. You are entitled to use your vote freely.

'By voting against this constitution, let us show the enormous power of the people. If you fail to do so, you will be afraid of the military for the rest of your life and of your next generations,' it added. -- AFP