One of the insurgent groups blamed for southern Thailand's unrest has welcomed an offer from Malaysia to mediate between Bangkok and Thai Muslim groups, a report said today.

The Patani United Liberation Organisation (PULO) said the move was timely, but expressed concern over Thailand's commitment to talks, the New Straits Times reported.

"We are very happy with the initiative taken by Malaysia to help the people in southern Thailand, but what is worrying us is the inconsistency and mild efforts of the Thai government," Kasturi Mahkota, foreign affairs officer, told the newspaper.

"PULO hopes the latest drive will bear fruit as Thai authorities had previously agreed with Malaysian initiatives but failed to implement them," he said.

1,900 dead over three years

Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi this week offered to act as a mediator in the conflict that has left more than 1,900 people dead over three years, state media reported Tuesday.

Thai Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said foreign ministers from both nations were working out the details of the proposal.

But Thailand's foreign minister, Nitya Pibulsonggram, later denied this.

The region has a history of separatist violence ever since Thailand annexed it a century ago. It was previously an autonomous ethnic Malay sultanate.