He’s made good will gestures. He’s made concessions.

He’s reached out.

But the jihadis keep slaughtering people indiscriminately.

What’s a military-installed prime minister to do?

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Wednesday that separatists fighting in Muslim-majority provinces have refused to take up his offer to launch peace talks.

“As of now, there has been no progress on starting negotiations, because that would require the agreement of both sides. So there are no talks for now,” he told reporters.

“My government is still adhering a policy of non-violence, but cooperation from the people is crucial,” he said.

Since Surayud took office following a military coup last year, he has made a series of peace gestures to the militants fighting along the southern border with Malaysia.

But the violence has only escalated since the coup, and the government has deployed thousands more troops and paramilitary forces to the region.

Go figure.

(Hat tip: Jihad Watch.)