The Thai team engaged in peace talks in the insurgency-plagued deep South has seen a marked drop in violent attacks in the restive region, the crowning achievement of its efforts over the last four years, according to chief negotiator Gen Aksara Kerdphol.
His remark was included in an annual report sent recently to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Prawit Wongsuwon.
Gen Aksara said the team had previously requested more stringent law enforcement and military operations to crack down on violence there, forcing the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) to join the peace talks.
The region saw 584 cases of violence in 2014 when the peace negotiation team was set up, he said, adding the number of cases fell to 264 in 2015, 193 in 2016 and 140 last year.
The team has reportedly employed more advanced negotiating techniques in the last three years.
Gen Aksara said the situation is now almost under control. No foreign organisations have stepped in to interfere, he said. Rather, they have supported Thailand in tackling the problem peacefully under the "Understand, Access and Develop" principle promoted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away two years ago.
Gen Aksara conceded officers are still unable to talk directly with leading figures from the Mara Patani umbrella network but that Malaysia was pitching in by acting as a mediator when needed.
A safe house has also been set up in Pattana, he added.
