Thailand and Malaysia are working closely to bring peace to the restive Thai south, as 131 Thai Muslims who fled across the border seeking safe haven remain in Malaysia, said the Thai foreign ministry.

Spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow also said comments by a Malaysian Islamic opposition leader on Saturday - that the problems in Thailand's southern provinces had to be negotiated, not met with violence - were not helpful.

He said both countries were working to resolve the status of the 131 Thai Muslims. "It is important for senior officials to avoid expressing views that undermine the close cooperation between the two sides."

The undocumented Thai Muslims fled into Malaysia's northeastern state of Kelantan last week, saying they left their villages in Narathiwat province after the army arrived.

The villagers also suspect local authorities had a role in the shooting death of a local cleric.

More unrest to follow

Nik Aziz Nik Mat, PAS' spiritual leader and Kelantan's chief minister, said more unrest would follow unless Thailand, a mainly Buddhist nation, addresses the grievances of its southern Muslims.

"The statement, either intentional or unintentional, runs counter to the close cooperation between the government of Thailand and Malaysia," Sihasak said.

The comments showed the chief minister was unaware of the reconciliation efforts Bangkok was making, Sihasak added.

Nearly 900 people have been killed in the past 20 months in the southernmost provinces, in attacks which analysts and authorities say are a mix of Islamic separatists, organised criminals and drug dealers.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday accused Islamic militants of trying to "internationalise" the unrest in the south, saying some of the 131 Muslims who fled were "militants in disguise."

Foreign Minister Khantathi Suphamongkhon the same day apparently contradicted the prime minister, saying the displaced people were innocent civilians and would soon be brought back to Thailand.