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BANGKOK: Separatist groups in Thailand's troubled south are set to restart talks with the government after a months-long break, raising hopes for a negotiated solution and an end to the violence tearing the region apart.

The resumption was confirmed to The Straits Times by the president of the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo), a long-established separatist group.

Speaking over the phone, Mr Kasturi Mahkota, who is based in Sweden, said: 'I can confirm the process of dialogue will start again officially at the end of March or early April.'

Pulo has an alliance with Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) - the most influential group in the south in terms of controlling militants on the ground.

For decades, an ethnic separatist insurgency has racked the Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, and part of Songkhla. Since the conflict escalated in 2004, about 5,000 people - mostly civilians - have died from the violence.

Just last Thursday in Pattani, a car bomb killed one person and injured 12. On the same day, in Narathiwat, two soldiers were injured by a roadside bomb.

Bangkok has flooded the south with troops. But it has also tried addressing sources of unhappiness: introducing local language as the medium of instruction in some schools, and increasing compensation and legal aid for victims of violence.

However, dialogue is seen as imperative if the long-running conflict is to be resolved.

Pulo had for many months been in talks with a Thai delegation from the previous Abhisit Vejjajiva government, meeting quietly in South-east Asian capitals outside Thailand.

That talks took place at all was seen as positive by analysts. But they largely remained in a confidence-building stage, with each side unsure the other would be able to deliver on any promise made.

Pulo wants older-generation insurgents held in Thai jails released as a goodwill gesture.

The Thai side wants the insurgency group leaders to demonstrate that they have the clout to stop militant activity in the south.

Talks petered out as Thailand became preoccupied with the general election in July last year and a new government took over and was soon swamped by the worst flooding disaster in over half a century.

The renewed hope is tempered with caution, but there are some encouraging signs this time around.

'The Thai delegation is stronger than before,' said Mr Mahkota.

A source familiar with the plans, meanwhile, said 'there are stronger elements in the process. Dialogue is now embedded in Thailand's National Security Council policy. This is important because it sets the direction for officials'.

But Mr Mahkota stresses that for the talks to gain traction, they need wider recognition and public acknowledgment from the Thai government, as a signal to groups and factions on both sides that they should recognise a single process.

The source who spoke to The Straits Times also said: 'The Thais have to come out unambiguously on the process; it should be more openly acknowledged.'

The Thai delegation is led by an army general. While that is seen as a good thing given the clout of the army in the Thai context, one disadvantage is that 'they (the army) don't want to talk about it. This has not been resolved'.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if a split in Pulo will be good for the process.

Last October, after Pulo leader Nur Abdurrahman abruptly dissolved the organisation's supreme committee, Mr Mahkota - until then a vice-president and chief of foreign affairs - was elected as president. He had been a key driver of earlier talks.

Those familiar with the talks point to another critical factor: the support of Malaysia, which shares an easily crossed border with the troubled Thai provinces.

In the past, there have been allegations - never proven - of insurgents training in Malaysia. And Malaysia is almost certainly used as a refuge by militants. For Thailand, cooperation from Malaysia's security agencies and Kuala Lumpur's support for the talks are important.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is due to visit Malaysia on Feb20 on an introductory visit, which analysts will watch for signs of meetings between security officials from both sides.

Asked about Malaysia's position, Kuala Lumpur's ambassador to Thailand, Ms Nazirah Hussain, last week said Malaysia's 'cardinal principle is non-interference in the internal affairs of another country' but the conflict did affect Malaysia because of the common border.

'(That's) all the more reason we would like the conflict to be resolved in an amicable and durable manner.'