Attempts to quell the insurgency on the southern border will not be derailed by the unexpected result of general election in Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Thursday.
Gen Prawit welcomed the return of Mahathir Mohamad to power and said he was confident there would be no disruption of the peace talks process between Thailand and Mara Patani, an umbrella organisation of insurgent groups in the restive South.
The talks have been held in Malaysia, which under outgoing Prime Minister Najib Razak has acted as a facilitator.
The Barisan Nasional led by his United Malays National Orgnisation was swept out of power in the elections on Wednesday by Mr Mahathir's opposition Pakatan Harapan.
Official results showed that 92-year-old Mr Mahathir's opposition coalition had won 121 parliamentary seats, which was enogh as they needed only 112 to form a government.
The ruling BN won 79 only seats, down from 133 at the previous polls.
