The first talks in three decades between Thailand's president of the Privy Council, Prem Tinsulanonda, and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad marked a special moment for both nations as well as both men.
Gen Prem, a former Thai prime minister, welcomed his special guest at his Sisao Thewes residence last Thursday, as part of Dr Mahathir's first official trip to Thailand.
Both men are in their 90s now and had a lot to catch up on as Dr Mahathir gave a strong indication that Malaysia is determined to help Thailand solve the violence in the insurgency-plagued far South.
Dr Mahathir told Gen Prem that he had assured Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, during his visit to Government House, that as Malaysia had received help tackling its own communist insurgency when Gen Prem was in office, he now felt obliged to help Thailand tackle its own unrest, according to Gen Prem's close associate Pitsanu Puttawong.
Dr Mahathir told the media later he would arrange a peace dialogue between Thai authorities and Mara Patani, an umbrella body consisting of several separatist groups, as quickly as possible.
Former 4th Army commander Udomchai Thammasaroraj was earlier this month appointed as the new chief of the Thai peace talks team in the region.
Malaysia has just installed a former inspector-general of police, Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor, in its equivalent role.
Mr Abdul Rahim recently held talks with Gen Udomchai for the first time and they agreed the peace dialogue with Mara Patani would resume next month, though the exact date of the event has not yet been determined.
Gen Prem was the prime minister between 1980 and 1988, while Dr Mahathir has also held his country's premiership between 1981 and 2003.
"Gen Prem's premiership period coincided with that of Dr Mahathir for around seven years and they got to know each other and became close," Gen Pitsanu said. "They worked together to solve the problems in relation to the communist insurgency that was troubling Malaysia at that time."
During that time, Dr Mahathir also assisted Thailand in maintaining peace in the country's far South.
Back at the Sisao Thewes residence, Gen Prem, 98, gave a warm welcome to Dr Mahathir, 93, during the visit.
The former Thai premier even stood in front of the house, waiting for Dr Mahathir, who came in a convoy of cars. He was reported to have been standing for several minutes with the support of military officers.
Despite his frailty, Gen Prem still had a big smile for his old friend, who he had not met in person for more than 30 years.
Once the Malaysian prime minister got out of his car, he performed a wai to Gen Prem, who reciprocated. They then shook hands and walked inside the house.
Gen Pitsanu said Gen Prem told him that Dr Mahathir was an old friend and he was very happy when he learnt that the Malaysian leader had suggested paying a call on him during his official visit to Thailand last week, where he spoke with Gen Prayut and also gave a speech at Chulalongkorn University.
According to Gen Pitsanu, Gen Prem had occasionally sent handwritten letters to Dr Mahathir over the past 30 years as they had been unable to meet in person.
The letters were sent through the Privy Council, of which Gen Prem is the chairman, and then onwards via the Thai foreign ministry which delivered the letters to Malaysia.
In his most recent message, Gen Prem congratulated Dr Mahathir on his election victory in May this year.
"This was in line with the Malaysian people's wish for you to return as prime minister," Gen Prem was quoted as saying to Dr Mahathir in English.
Gen Prem also told Dr Mahathir that he looked to be in good shape and his 93 years of age should have no bearing on his ability to lead Malaysia.
Gen Prem later handed a painting of The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban as a gift to the Malaysian leader, who gave him the picture of Malaysian Government House in return.
After the talks were concluded, the Privy Council president walked the Malaysian premier back to his car.
Dr Mahathir lowered his car window to perform a final wai to Gen Prem before he sped off to his next engagement.
According to observers, Dr Mahathir's visit to the Sisao Thewes residence is another example of what is hoped will be closer ties between the countries now that Dr Mahathir has taken power. It is hoped that Thailand and Malaysia will be able to work more closely together to solve the southern unrest in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
The meeting also ended on a poignant note as neither man dared to suggest when a further meeting between them might occur. In fact, this may have been the last time they will ever meet.
Gen Pitsanu said Gen Prem needs to undergo regular health checks every month due to health conditions related to his advanced age.
However, he did say that after the treatment Gen Prem seems to be in better health, although he is attending less public events than before.
Despite rumours, he also insisted Gen Prem would not move out of Sisao Thewes residence as suggested. "He will not go anywhere," Gen Pitsanu said.
