Thailand is hoping the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will recognise its efforts in tackling the southern insurgency following a diplomats' visit to the region by the OIC last week.
Fifteen foreign ambassadors and representatives of 17 OIC diplomats based in Thailand were taken on Thursday to Pattani and Yala provinces by Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.
He wanted them to see for themselves how Thailand is handling the violence in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
The government hoped the OIC would be balanced in reviewing the situation in its annual report after its diplomats saw that the situation is not as bad as it would appear from news reports.
Mr Surapong asked the OIC ambassadors to report to their countries the progress they saw in the South.
He expressed disappointment over the OIC foreign ministers' meeting in November, when the organisation's secretary office said the Thai government had made "meagre" progress in solving the insurgency.
This was despite Kassem El-Masry, OIC ambassador and special envoy of the OIC secretary-general, expressing satisfaction with the government's work during a visit to Thailand in May.
Indonesian ambassador to Thailand Lutfi Rauf said what he saw in the news was different from what he saw that day. He also asked what the difficulties were in negotiating a long-term resolution to the issue.
Southern Border Provinces Administration Center officials said the government was willing to talk to the insurgents but some are concerned about their safety if they join the dialogue.
Turkish ambassador to Thailand Osman Bulent Tulun said the annual OIC draft resolution, to be released during the next foreign ministers' meeting, would be positive towards Thailand's handling of the issue because many member countries approved of the government's efforts to solve the problem.
A senior military official told the diplomats that the Royal Thai Armed Forces was planning to withdraw three battalions of troops from the three provinces by September.
After the troops pull out, the paramilitary and police will be responsible for security and surveillance in the region.
The official added the government would revoke the emergency decree in affected areas once violence ceases.
Since 2004, more than 14,000 people have been killed or injured by the insurgent violence. The unrest peaked in 2007, when 2,475 violent cases were reported. Since then the figure has declined. Only 963 cases were reported last year.