Thai security officials have opened talks with representatives of 131 Thai Muslims who fled to neighboring Malaysia saying they feared for their safety at home, the foreign minister said today.

Lieutenant General Chayasit Linthong, director general of the army's intelligence office, met with his Malaysian counterpart and 10 representatives of the Thai Muslims to discuss their demands, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said.

Chayasit left for Malaysia on Monday.

"The talks are to help them feel confident about their safety when they return to Thailand," Kantathi said in a statement.

Kantathi said Chayasit would visit Malaysia again next week, when he plans to meet with all 131 Thai Muslims.

Meeting Najib

Thai deputy prime minister Chidchai Vanasathidya left Thailand for Malaysia today where he was set to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Ties between the two neighbours have deteriorated since the group of Thai Muslims from southern Narathiwat province crossed into majority-Muslim Malaysia in August, saying they were fleeing unrest. The move triggered a diplomatic tussle over their fate.

Nearly 1,000 people have died in unrest in Thailand's mainly Muslim provinces bordering Malaysia since January 2004.

Analysts and authorities blame the almost daily attacks in the region on Islamic separatists, organised criminals and local corruption.