THAI PREMIER DENIES KILLINGS IN DRUG WAR

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's prime minister on Wednesday denied that
any extrajudicial killings took place during the country's recent war
on drugs and said the world should be grateful it is helping to curb
the drug trade.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's comments follow criticism by U.S.
officials and human rights groups of the high death toll during the
anti-drug campaign and charges of extrajudicial killings by security
forces.

A total of 2,274 people were killed in the three-month campaign that
ended April 30, according to official figures.

"Everything that has been done is according to our modern
constitution... everything is according to law," Thaksin told a select
group of reporters at his office.

Thaksin last week declared the anti-drug campaign a huge success, but
had not until now responded to the allegations so explicitly.

Thaksin said that only about 35 people had been shot by the police in
self defense, which he said was permissible by law. He said most of
the killings were because of gang wars and suspected informers being
shot to death by "big bosses" who were afraid that "fingers would be
pointed at them."

"The success of this campaign has helped the whole world, especially
the western countries. Otherwise it (the drug problem) will spread to
the whole world. I'm not claiming credit for the whole world, but they
have to understand that we have done our duty as a member of the world
community," he said.

Also on Wednesday, a U.S. Embassy spokesman told The Associated Press
that the Bush administration has "made very clear that we have serious
concerns about the number of killings that may have been associated
with Thailand's war on drugs."

The spokesman, who did not wish to be identified, said the United
States told Thailand that it "needs to ... investigate all unexplained
killings and identify and prosecute those responsible," he added.

He said the United States has voiced its concern at "increasing
levels... and at increasing volume."

Thaksin also spoke about the impact of SARS on Thailand's economy -
which he said will be minimal and temporary.