Malaysia cast doubt on claims by neighbouring Thailand that it has photographic evidence that Thai Islamic militants had trained in Kelantan.

"It is not easy to prove anything from photos. It is not easy to prove that the pictures were taken in Malaysia or anywhere in the world. It can also be in Thailand," said Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid.

Azmi said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had already denied charges that the rebels are trained in Malaysia.

"It will be good if the Thai government could communicate officially through the proper channels," he told AFP.

The Thai government said yesterday it had photographic evidence of training grounds in Kelantan. The state borders southern Thailand, where an Islamic separatist insurgency has killed more than 560 people this year.

Arms training

"Our intelligence reports said they were conducting arms training and there are more than 10 key members in Kelantan state," Deputy Interior Minister Sutham Sangprathum told reporters.

"We have several photographs of training areas in Kelantan," he said. "We are ready to hand these photos over to Malaysia if they wish."

Sutham did not indicate how many militants were currently hiding across the border, but said "we want Malaysia to arrest these people and hand them to us".

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday that one group of insurgents had trained in Malaysia but without the knowledge or support of the Malaysian government.

The charges were quickly denied by Abdullah.

"Malaysia is not a base to be used by any group to make plans against any country," he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star newspaper.