The army is frustrated by the continuing violence and lack of progress at peace talks on bringing an end to the insurgency in the far South, a spokesman said on Friday.
Despite three rounds of negotiations on peace talks, the violence continues. They were killing while talking peace, Maj Gen Surachart Jitjaeng, who is in charge of a public relations panel to promote solutions to the restive region, said.
That was frustrating for all Thais, "but we remain patient in the hope of seeing peace restored for the people", he said.
A Thai delegation led by the National Security Council chief has begun talk with representatives of Barisan Revolusin Nasional separatist group on ways to curb the violence in the southernmost region.
The last meeting, set for Oct 20, was deferred as it would have be held only five days before the ninth anniversary of the Tak Bai killings in Narathiwat.
Security authorities are now worried about local politicians having become targets of insurgents.
Maj Gen Surachart said they were training defence volunteers in all tambons to aid the authorities.