Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (C) and his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva (R) attend a ceremony to rename a bridge in Narathiwat province, south of Bangkok, December 9, 2009.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BANGKOK, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak Wednesday jointly presided over a ceremony to inaugurate the Friendship Bridge over the Su-ngai Golok River to link Thailand and Malaysia.

    The Friendship Bridge over the Su-ngai Golok River is located between Boo-geh-dta village of Waeng district in the Thai southernmost province of Narathiwas and a village of Boo-gid-bu-nga in Malaysia's Kelantan state.

    "I have no doubt in my mind that this Friendship Bridge will serve its noble purpose and boost various economic, social and cultural activities between our two countries," Thai News Agency quoted Razak as saying at the ceremony.

    The trip to Narathiwas is part of Razak's three-day official visit to Thailand starting Dec. 7.

    Security has been beefed up in the restive deep South, which comprises mainly the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwas, and the four districts of Song-kla province.

    Over 3,500 people have been killed in the daily violence by suspected separatists since January 2004.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (C) and his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva (3rd R) attend a ceremony to rename a bridge in Narathiwat province, south of Bangkok, December 9, 2009.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Razak told local people that he would like the group, which has created the daily violence, to turn to cooperate with the Thai government in developing the southernmost community, Ab-dul-roa-sak Ar-li, president of Narathiwas's Islamic committee said Wednesday.

    Razak would like to see the group to believe in seriousness of the Thai government led by Premier Abhisit in solving the southernmost provinces' problems, Mr. Ar-li said.

    On Tuesday the Malaysian prime minister said the southernmost unrest is a chronic problem, while he has supported measures implemented to tackle the problems by the Thai government.

    "We understand it is going to be a lengthy process, but the Thai government under Prime Minister Abhisit has specific plans to move forward in a positive and constructive manner, and it is incumbent on the people of southern Thailand to respond," Razak said. The discussion between the two governments has created understanding and led to a better direction, Abhisit said.

    After jointly presiding over the inaugural ceremony, the two leaders visited a school in the city of Narathiwas, where courses in English and Arabic are available for youth.

    Thai Prime Minister Abhisit said the Malaysian government is willing to support the southernmost Thai youth on education such as language and training programs.

    In a related development, Thai Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam said he is confident of security measures implemented during the visit of the two leaders.

    Some 718 policemen have been deployed in the city of Narathiwas and Su-ngai Go-lok district to ensure security.

    The series of bomb attacks Wednesday in the deep South is aimed at expressing dissatisfaction among the suspected insurgent groups against the close ties between Malaysia and Thailand, the deputy interior minister said.