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Accompanied by top military brass, including Army chief General Anupong Paochinda and police chief, Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Samak provided no details but stated that insurgents wanting to surrender can do so by reporting to the authorities.

"I want to tell all those people (Malay insurgents) who have been mislead into taking up arms and creating disturbances to stop because all sides want peace. And if the misled people want to surrender they can do so by reporting to the authority," Samak said.

Samak's visit to the insurgency-hit south yesterday for the first time since he took office more than three months ago.

The premier, who used to host a television cooking show, said he would prepare a meal of basil chicken for about 30 soldiers to boost their morale.

"It's my duty to visit this area," he said.

The PM, including his Interior chief Chalerm Yoobamrung, has come under criticism for not paying enough attention to the deep South where 3,000 people have died since January 2004.