PATANI MALAY(ORANG MELAYU) IN THE SOUTH OF THAILAND2

HISTORY

Prelude

The incorporated of Patani Kingdom by political intrigue and with out the consent of her leaderS and her people by the Siamese state in 1909 after the British dropped the “1897 Anglo-Siamese Secret Convention” and agreed upon a new “Anglo-Siamese treaty of 1902” marked as the end of Sultanate power and the end of Patani sovereignty. The centuries long detesting relation between the two states had come to an end, the Siamese with the help of the British, after overthrown the Sultanate power; gained an un-disputed control over Patani and the new centuries long “detested relation era” has started then-with the Patani Malay people(Orang Melayu). This long detesting relation is appeared later in the form of  armed struggle(Separatist movement by Siamese official) and peaceful petition(resurgence movement by Siamese official)of the Patani Malay people(Orang Melayu) from time to time, decade after decade, century to century up to present day.

Bunga Sireh the Wedding Patani Malay Procession

The legitimate claims of Siamese government and Siamese people over Patani had caused the feeling of “Anti-Siamese Rule and Fear of Siamese Cruelty” in every strata of Patani Malay society, especially the Patani Malay elites who had direct experiences with the Siamese state. This “Anti and Fear” had brought the unfinished difficulties affairs to both parties such as the economical hardship, the brutal killing , the feeling of un-trust, the non-welcome of Siamese government policy, the migration and exile of Patani Malay people and Patani Malay elites to the neighboring countries, the continuation of Patani Malay armed struggle, the discrimination by Siamese state, the assimilation policy of Siamese state, the migration of Isan people to settle down in the area called colony  in the former Patani kingdom etc., in short- for the Patani Malay : Siam had been regarded as the brutal invader and cruel discriminator, in turn : Siamese regarded Patani Malay as the treacherous Subjects and the Heinous alien(Khaek).

Engraved Memorial Stone on Sultan Ismail Shah Grave(The first Muslim King of Patani Daruslam)              
 Barahom Village, Muang District, Patani Province

Orang Melayu in the South of Thailand is a series of articles about the current unrest(started on January 4, 2004 )  in the present  day southern border provinces of Thailand.The objectives of this presentation is to uncover and discover the facts of the problem, to analyse  the root cause of the conflict, current events and possible solution to end the conflict.