Malaysia is to form a patrol regiment to guard its northern border with Thailand, a senior miliary officer said Wednesday.

Army Field Command Chief Masood Zainal Abidin said the regiment would prevent encroachment, smuggling and other illegal activities in the region, according to the official Bernama news agency.

Making the announcement after a biannual Malaysia-Thailand Regional Border Committee meeting in Penang, Masood said the chief of the armed forces would soon announce details of the new regiment.

More than 840 people have been killed in the past 19 months in Thailand's restive south bordering Malaysia in near-daily attacks. Authorities and analysts say the violence stems from a mix of Islamic separatists, organised criminals and narcotraffickers.

Masood said southern Thailand's security problems were an internal affair and Bangkok had not asked for help from Malaysia.

"However, we are prepared to extend our assistance if it is needed to ensure peace in the border areas," he said.

Malaysia and Thailand have said the violence plaguing southern Thailand is having an adverse economic impact on the region and have pledged to work together to combat the Muslim separatist rebellion there.