Thailand's foreign minister said Wednesday he has stopped speaking with neighbouring Malaysia, amid an escalating war of words sparked by 131 Thai Muslims who fled across the border into Malaysia.

Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon told reporters that he had cut off contact with his counterpart Syed Hamid Albar "since he used such inappropriate words" at the weekend.

"We have always been in touch and understood each other well, but when he gives interviews to the press his remarks take on a different character," Kantathi told reporters.

"We want them to show sincerity, then we will contact them again," he said.

Kantathi said Thailand still has some contacts with Malaysia, but was waiting for its neighbour to send a positive signal through diplomatic channels.

The minister said the "inappropriate words" came in an interview where Syed Hamid defended his country's right to criticize Thailand.

Sincerity wanted

"Why does he have to use this word? We should be cooperating and exchanging views and ideas in order to solve the problem," Kantathi said.

"We're not telling them to change their policies or whatever, we just want to say it's not constructive to use certain words when talking with the media. I want to see sincererity," he said.

Bilateral relations have deteriorated since 131 Thai Muslims from southern Narathiwat province crossed the border in August, saying they were fleeing separatist unrest, and triggering a tussle between the governments over their fate.

The latest war of words came after a group of Malaysian activists launched a boycott of Thai goods.

Syed Hamid reportedly said at the weekend that Thailand should be more "mature" over the boycott, after Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra lashed out at the activists.