Achara Ashayagachat and AFP

Foreign diplomats will be briefed again this month about the government's anti-drugs crusade after the US joined other countries in expressing concern about the high death toll.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow said US ambassador Darryl Johnson expressed Washington's disquiet to Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai at a meeting on April 30.

``It was not a demarche as such, as it was not a protest note to the government but a list of talking points the Americans gave to the ministry,'' Mr Sihasak said.

The US action followed previous expression of concern from European countries, Australia and South Africa about the three-month war against drugs in which more than 2,300 people have died. The government's first briefing was in March.

The government insists drug dealers have been killing each other off to avoid prosecution, but critics charge most deaths were summary executions of drug suspects by the authorities.

The Bush administration was asked by congressmen about the campaign. The embassy sought clarifications in response, Mr Sihasak said.

The spokesman denied that the US linked the matter to state aid or Mr Thaksin's visit to the US on June 9-11 at the invitation of the US-Thai Business Council, when he is due to meet President George W Bush.

Mr Thaksin defended his war on drugs yesterday, saying the crackdown had benefited Western countries.

``Everything that has been done is according to the constitution of Thailand, and also under the law,'' Mr Thaksin said.

Police have admitted to shooting dead 51 people, but Mr Thaksin said there were only ``about 35 cases of extraordinary killings'', all involving officers shooting in self-defence.

Mr Thaksin suggested that foreign countries should be grateful for Thailand's efforts to curb the drug trade.

The success of the drugs campaign here in Thailand has helped the whole world, especially Western countries,'' he said. I'm not claiming support from the whole world, but at least understand that what we have done here is [our duty as] part of the world community.''