what was new about the 27 February announcement? The direct involvement of serving prime ministers in both Thailand and Malaysia was a striking development, suggesting a much greater level of executive commitment. For the first time since taking office in mid-2011, Prime Minister Yingluck appeared to be making the South a top priority. A public signing ceremony with NSC chief Lt-General Paradorn Patthanatha-butr, seen as close to Thaksin, was also unprecedented. Malaysia prime minister Najib Razak’s statement that further talks world take place in two week suggested some significant momentum. Najib has every incentive to push for progress: he badly needed some favourable coverage as he approached a very challenging 5 May general election, which saw his party perform badly and significantly undermine his standing