Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government has said that it is ready to talk with insurgents but has failed to launch full-scale negotiations or drastically curb violence.

More than 6,500 people have been killed – mostly civilians – since 2004 in clashes between militants and security forces.

The culturally distinct area bordering Malaysia was annexed by Thailand over a century ago.

“Don’t ask about governance … in terms of development the government can provide everything,”Prayut told reporters, adding the conflict was making him “moody”.

His comments refer to the issue of greater autonomy for the area, one of the few demands made public by the shadowy rebel groups.

Prayut also denied the recent transfer of a top military negotiator, Nakrob Boonbuathong, was related to the failure of full talks to start.

“He doesn’t have to do the job until he is dead,” the junta chief barked at reporters. “The talks will still continue as planned, if we cannot talk today we will talk later.”

Prayut‘s administration has sought to increase economic activity in the rebellion-wracked provinces.

But regular shooting and bombing attacks persist, aimed mostly at authorities, though teachers and other civilians have also been targeted.

Yesterday a roadside bomb in Narathiwat province injured five volunteer security officers.

The loosely-coordinated network of insurgents does not have an official spokesman and rarely claims responsibility for attacks.

Rights groups have accused Thai authorities of suppressing local customs, torturing detainees and acting with impunity under sweeping emergency laws in place across the region.

Analysts say peace is unlikely to take hold if government negotiators refuse to recognise rebel demands for greater sovereignty.