Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will hold talks with his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad about the future of southern peace talks when they meet late next month.
Gen Prayut said yesterday the meeting was postponed from early to late next month because Dr Mahathir was busy.
"At this point, Malaysia will continue supporting and serving as a facilitator for peace talks. Malaysia wants the talks to be successful," said Gen Prayut.
Asked if he would consider replacing Gen Aksara Kerdphol, head of the Thai negotiating team, Gen Prayut said he had yet to make a decision on that.
Gen Akanis Mueansawas, a former soldier who is familiar with southern security issues, has emerged as favourite to replace Gen Aksara, said an informed source.
The source said that Thai officials working in the restive southern border provinces were watching to see whether Malaysia's approach might change under its new leader.
The officials are also wondering if Mara Patani, an umbrella organisation of insurgent groups in the region, might also amend its negotiating team, according to the source.
