Bangkok to host int'l meet on bird flu

Countries hit by bird flu that will attend the meeting are Vietnam, Japan, China, Cambodia and South Korea. Big importers of poultry meats and products - Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and the European Union - will also participate, Jakrapob said.

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said that Hong Kong and Laos would also attend the meeting.

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The meeting will also be attended by experts from the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, he said.

Jakrapob said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wanted to boost confidence among poultry product importers that the epidemic is manageable.

Thailand effectively managed to communicate this message in the case of Sars, the deadly flu-like virus which spread across the globe early last year.

The government has been accused of covering up information on the spread of avian flu and responding slowly to tackle the virus. Two cases of human infection were confirmed by the government on Friday.

According to government figures, Thailand is the world's fourth largest chicken exporter. It exported 500,000 tonnes of chicken worth Bt52 billion in 2003.