A former leader of the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) has vowed to help the government tackle violence in the deep South.
Ismael Gaddafi, alias Sama-ae Thanam, who was released from prison in Pattani on Friday for good behaviour, expressed his intention to serve as a negotiator in peace talks with other separatist networks.
The 63-year-old was greeted by local leaders and residents after his release in his home town of Panare district in Pattani.
Mr Ismael said he would work with other militant groups to try and forge an understanding between separatists and officials, in a region where nearly 6,000 people
have died since the insurgency began in 2004.
He said he is determined to help improve the quality of life of residents in Panare district, where Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) secretary-general Panu Uthairat has asked him to oversee a halal industrial estate in tambon Nam Bor.
"I will work to my fullest capacity. I will invite business operators from Malaysia to invest in the industrial estate to generate income and create jobs for local residents," Mr Ismael said.
He also thanked Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the government, the 4th Army commander and the SBPAC for his early release from jail.
Mr Ismael, a former head of the armed wing of Pulo, was originally sentenced to life imprisonment for separatist activities in connection with violence in the southern provinces.
His prison sentence was later commuted to 27 years and nine months because of good behaviour. He served 17 years before he was released as part of peace efforts in the deep South.
During the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration, authorities agreed to transfer Mr Ismael from the Bangkok Remand Prison to a facility in Songkhla, so that he would be closer to his family. The Yingluck Shinawatra government then transferred him to Yala Central prison.
Mr Ismael's release is an indication of the government's commitment to peace negotiations, according to a source close to the talks.
The move shows the National Council for Peace and Order plans to come to the negotiating table in good faith, the source said.
Earlier reports have suggested peace talks between the government and separatist groups, facilitated by Malaysia, could resume by the end of the year.
The source said there had been constant calls for Mr Ismael to be released since his arrest, adding the Thai authorities often consulted with him while he was in prison to discuss ways to ease violence in the region.
Although the former Pulo leader is a well-known figure, not all observers believe that he can play a decisive role in the peace talks.
Many are worried that Mr Ismael may be out of touch with the current security situation and the depth of the insurgency problem.
But the source said Mr Ismael was in contact with more than 500 other separatist prisoners, including youngsters, during his time behind bars.