But in certain other respects, the new southern Thai dialogue somewhat resembles the previous six or more dialogues. There is little evidence that the Thai military is on board; Army Commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha has sounded distinctly skeptical. There is no clear signal that a political solution might be on the table; mixed signals have been issued by different government agencies about the options for future discussion. A particularly unhelpful role has been played by deputy prime minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who has been tasked with overseeing the security issue in the South. His outspoken statements to the media have often seemed like deliberate spoiling tactics by the Bangkok government. The 9-member Thai team has gone to the talks with little prior preparation, and apparently without having agreed a clear collective line. The team includes three core figures, Paradorn, Tawee Sodsong who heads the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Organisation, and General Nipat Thonglek, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry of defence. A senior ISOC officer, Major-General Nakrop Boonbuathong, serves as the eyes and ears of the military, keeping Army commanders closely informed concerning the progress of the talks. The team also includes a Muslim civil society leader and a Pattani-based Buddhist academic, both of whom lend additional credibility to the negotiation process, though their precise role during the negotiations has not been clearly defined.