Myanmar says Thai meddling over Suu Kyi trial

By Aung Hla Tun

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar accused neighboring Thailand of meddling in its internal affairs on Sunday after Bangkok said the trial of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi threatened the junta's "honor and credibility."

Myanmar said the statement issued last week by Thailand, amid growing international outrage over Suu Kyi's trial, was factually wrong and "deviated from the practice of ASEAN."

Thailand holds the rotating chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), one of the few groups that allows the former Burma as a member.

"It is tantamount to interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs," said a statement read out on state-owned MRTV.

Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty on Friday after a prison court formally charged the Nobel Peace laureate and her two female housemates with violating her house arrest by allowing an uninvited American intruder inside her home.

If found guilty, the 63-year-old Suu Kyi faces up to five years in prison.

John Yettaw, the 53-year-old American who swam to Suu Kyi's home on May 4 because he had a dream that her life was in danger, also pleaded not guilty.

He is charged with immigration violations, illegal swimming and breaking a state security law.