Salih Mutlu Sen, Turkey’s permanent representative to the OIC, led the eight-member delegation to the predominantly Muslim area, where violence has caused the deaths of more than 6,500 people since 2004.

The authorities in the deep South took them to see the “Bring people back home” project at the Internal Security Operation Command office in Pattani, to which defectors from armed insurgency groups have reported themselves.

“I hope that the OIC delegation will understand we are using a different way to solve the problem,” Prayut told reporters. “We don’t use force, but enforce laws and develop the economy in the [troubled] areas, as well as [being] open to all stakeholders.”

While many separatist organisations have described the project to bring defectors home as a “cheap political play”, security officials claim that 96 defectors have reported themselves to the authorities so far this year, including those from separatist groups Barisan Revolusi Nasional and the Patani United Liberation Organisation.

Thai nationality has already been verified for 37 of them.

Salih said he agreed with the project, which allows insurgents to defect and return home.

The OIC would help closely monitor the well-being of the Muslim minority in predominantly Buddhist Thailand, but would never support violence, he added.