Any settlement will have to include greater self-determination for the Malay-Muslims and some measure of autonomy. This will imply less influence for the Thai security agencies in an area where the army has long held ultimate control. It remains to be seen how much space for negotiation key actors within the palace and army will grant the government. There is an obvious risk that these conservative guardians of national unity will obstruct a settlement that would give autonomy to the Malay-Muslim south.