The Thai government has thanked Malaysia for the constructive role it has played in facilitating peace talks on the conflict in southern Thailand while reaffirming its commitment towards resolving the problem peacefully with the participation of all sides.

According to the goverment's deputy spokesman Lt-Gen Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had relayed this message during a courtesy call by Malaysia's Armed Forces chief Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.

"The Thai government reaffirmed that it would resolve the (southern Thailand) problem under peaceful means and with the participation of all sides.

The prime minister also thanked the Malaysian government," Weerachon said in a statement in Bangkok today.

The Thai prime minister, according to him, also commended Malaysia's role as the facilitator in the informal talks between the Thai government and a group representing southern Thai militants.

Zulkifeli (photo) was on a farewell tour to Asean countries before officially taking up his new post as the new National Security Council (NSC) director-general in the middle of this month.

Prayut also congratulated Zulkifeli on his promotion as Malaysia's new NSC director-general and believed that he will uphold the longstanding good and close relation between the two countries.

Zulkifeli, said Weerachon, had ensured that he would work closely with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, who is also in charge of national security.

Before arriving in Bangkok, the armed forces chief was in Myanmar for his farewell tour and several other countries.

Zulkifeli in his reaction according to Weerachon, had also reiterated Kuala Lumpur's readiness to join hands with Bangkok to resolve the southern Thai problem.

Weerachon said both countries had established a joint committee on the southern problem comprising multi agencies from both sides, that are not only focusing on handling security issues but also economic matters.

After meeting Prayut, Zulkifeli also made a courtesy call on Thailand's Deputy Defence Minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr at the Defence Ministry before departing for Kuala Lumpur.

- Bernama