Thailand resumes talks with separatists

Thai military officers representing the defence ministry had met recently with Bersatu leader Wan Kadir Che Man for talks aimed at ending violence in the Muslim majority south, the defence department source said.

"There are talks between Thai officials and Wan Kadir... the talks are ongoing at an official level," the source told AFP, without indicating when the low-level talks had resumed.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had agreed to the initial meeting in May saying the government was not recognising the group but wanted to obtain information to help it quell the violence which has killed more than 200 people.

However the proposal met with resistance, particularly from Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh who is responsible for security affairs and who said the talks were dangerous and would boost the status of the separatists.