Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today expressed readiness to hold talks with leading opponents of a controversial Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline, for which construction is about to start.

"I have told many NGO (non-government organisation) leaders, including opponents to the gas pipeline, that I am ready to talk, no problem," Thaksin told reporters in Bangkok.

"I have no hard feelings at all, I can work with everybody," he said.

He offered not date for talks with the opponents.

Despite the presence of hundreds of anti-pipeline demonstrators, construction is due to begin on the one billion dollar project July 1, police told AFP .

Thaksin rejected recent press reports of exaggerated tensions in southern Thailand's Songkhla province, site of the project, after hundreds of additional police were deployed to prevent any violent clashes between company workers and opponents.

"Protests were peaceful. There has been no confrontation as the reports said," Thaksin stressed.

The Nation newspaper said tensions grew Monday as protestors and police gathered on the proposed site, with Muslim leaders from the area intent on negotiation reportedly turned away by police.

Vows to overcome opposition

Thailand's government has repeatedly vowed to override the concerns of residents and environmentalists who say the project will cause grave ecological damage.

Thaksin has pledged to protect the workers set to lay the gas pipeline and build the separation plant in Chana district, where the pipeline is to come ashore.

Last December, 2,000 villagers clashed with Thai police, injuring dozens ahead of a joint cabinet meeting between leaders of the two countries.

Malaysia's Petronas and Thai energy giant PTT are equal partners in Trans Thai Malaysia Co (TTM), the operator of the long-delayed project.

Under the scheme, originally due to begin operations in 2002, the gas would come ashore in Songkhla and be distributed by pipeline to both countries.

The offshore rig is in place and pipes have been laid from the gas field towards the coast, but the new infrastructure still awaits a link to the mainland. - AFP