Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday accepted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's invitation to a meeting to discuss possible solutions to the continuing violence in the southern border provinces.
"The Democrat Party has always said it is ready to cooperate," the opposition leader said. "But the prime minister must play an important role to ensure unified management."
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung seemed to have different views than the army regarding the problems in the deep South and this could create confusion, Mr Abhisit said.
Ms Yingluck was therefore the person who needs to set the policy, to stop the confusion, and she must link the relevant practices and regulations.
The surrender this week of 91 suspected separatist militants in the far South relates to Article 21 of the security law, and this issue must be clarified, he said. Operations officials might be concerned with the new structure, such as the government's new southern command centre.
Mr Abhisit said he and some Democrat MPs would attend the meeting on southern unrest scheduled to be held next Tuesday, but the prime minister must still act responsibiy by attending parliamentary meetings.
The premier should not continually call outside meetings to evade questions raised in the parliament, he said.