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Thai PM holds talks in Malaysia Thai PM 'to reach out to Muslims'
(about 6 hours later)
Thailand's new Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont has arrived in Malaysia for talks with his counterpart Abdullah Badawi. Thailand's new Premier Surayud Chulanont has said he will use peaceful means to try to resolve the Islamic insurgency in the country's south.
The talks are expected to focus on the bloody insurgency in Thailand's south. Speaking after a meeting in Malaysia, Gen Surayud said he wanted to reach out to Muslims in the troubled region.
There is hope that Gen Surayud's regime will do more to tackle the violence than Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup last month. His comments signal a different approach to the hardline stance taken by his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup last month.
Malaysia recently said it was willing to play a bigger role in the peace process, if asked to do so by Bangkok. The southern violence has claimed more than 1,500 lives since January 2004.
The ongoing insurgency in Thailand's southernmost three provinces has claimed more than 1,500 lives since January 2004.
Officials blame Muslim rebels for much of the unrest, although criminal gangs are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.Officials blame Muslim rebels for much of the unrest, although criminal gangs are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.
Thailand's new rulers have said they want to hold talks with the insurgents - a policy change from Mr Thaksin, whose government repeatedly refused to negotiate. Thailand's new rulers have already said they want to hold talks with the insurgents - another policy change from that of Mr Thaksin, whose government repeatedly refused to negotiate.
Peace talksPeace talks
During his one-day meeting in Malaysia - his first since taking office after the 19th September coup - Gen Surayud is due to hold talks with both Mr Abdullah and his deputy Najib Razak. This is Gen Surayud's first official trip to Malaysia since he took office after the 19 September coup.
Officials say the violence in southern Thailand will form a large part of both discussions. The main topic for discussion was the violence in southern Thailand - an issue which has long been a source of friction between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
The unrest in the area has long been a source of friction between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. "I told the Malaysian prime minister that I would talk to the Muslim leaders in the south, to the kids in schools.... That's the way I am trying to present myself - by way of talking," Gen Surayud told reporters after his meeting with his counterpart Abdullah Badawi.
Mr Thaksin accused the Malaysian government of allowing separatist guerrillas to cross the border with impunity. He said the two leaders would try "to get in touch personally, and try and find our way through troubled waters in southern Thailand".
The people of southern Thailand have much in common with Malaysians, including their Islamic faith and strong ethnic and cultural links.The people of southern Thailand have much in common with Malaysians, including their Islamic faith and strong ethnic and cultural links.
Malaysia's former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has already offered his services and recently met with insurgent leaders.Malaysia's former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has already offered his services and recently met with insurgent leaders.
In an interview with the BBC, Dr Mahathir said the rebels "have to accept the fact that they are Thai citizens", although he added that they could request some special consideration because they were not Buddhist Thais.In an interview with the BBC, Dr Mahathir said the rebels "have to accept the fact that they are Thai citizens", although he added that they could request some special consideration because they were not Buddhist Thais.
Dr Mahathir held a series of talks with insurgent leaders over the past year, under a peace initiative that was reportedly backed by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.Dr Mahathir held a series of talks with insurgent leaders over the past year, under a peace initiative that was reportedly backed by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Malaysia recently said it was willing to play a bigger role in the peace process, if asked to do so by Bangkok.