PATANI MALAY ( ORANG MELAYU )IN THE SOUTH OF THAILAND

The Patani Malay(Orang Melayu) formed the largest minority ethnic community in Thailand and lived in the southernmost provinces bordering with Malaysia. The Patani Malay people, a devouted Muslim people, are the descendants of Malay ethnic; the largest ethnic stock in southeast Asia homed in South of The Philippine ( Moro), Brunei, Malaysia, South of Thailand(Orang Melayu), Cambodia, Indonesia, Islands in Pacific, Srilanka and others. Due to their believed and had strong dedication to the Islamic faith, the Patani Malay has a distinct identity in Thailand. A vast majority of the Thai are Buddhist; only 10% are Muslim. However, since the beginnings of the ancient Patani Malay kingdom, now in Thailand, Islam has had a major influence on the culture, tradition and the way of Patani Malay people-living.

The history of the Patani Malay has been punctuated by revolt and revolution. Over the years, their unique Muslim Malay  culture, historical awareness and  the discrimination practiced had led to many separatist movements against the Thai government overlordship. Because the southern border provinces(the provinces of modern day Patani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla ) are located a great distance from the center of the Thai government, together with  the contradiction of ideal, culture, religion, races and many more, the Patani Malay people has developed a feeling of uniqueness and independence. However, each time the government tries to centralize control in the state and the injustice prevailed, their independence is threatened. This has resulted in a displeasure and resentment for the Thai government. The latest armed revolt of Patani Malay Separatists movement started in January 4, 2004.

Location The Patani Malay or Muslim Malay of Patani are living primarily in Patani Raya, the southern provinces of Thailand. The majority or approximately 2 million lives in the provinces of Patani, Yala, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla near the border to Malaysia. Patani Raya, once the independent Malay-speaking sultanate, is the heartland of Muslim in the South of Thailand. North of these five provinces, there are almost a million other Malays in the central-southern provinces. Another million lives in the greater Bangkok area. The Malays are not recent immigrants. Their descendants settled on the lower Kra Isthmus centuries ago, yet they have never willingly assimilated into modern Thailand. Few have found their way to local or central government, however this is changing.

Language and Dialects

The Malays of South Thailand can be divided into three linguistic groups: 1) Those who speak Patani Malay dialect and use the Jawi/Arabic script (the Patani Malay speakers). 2) Those who are semi-assimilsed. They speak and read Thai, the national language (the Thai speakers). They can speak Patani Malay but cannot read Jawi. 3) Those who are assimilated. They speak and read Thai only.

Education The government policy is compulsory education for primary grades, so a growing segment of people are more literate in Thai language. Malay school children often drop out after primary education, uninterested to continue their studies in Thai medium. Some further their schooling in private religious schools where they study Thai secular subjects and Islamic subjects.  Livelihood The provinces of South Thailand are primarily rural with only about 12% living in urban areas. Most Malays are agriculturists, growing rice, fruit, vegetables or rubber. Although rice is the staple food, the local economy is not based on wet-rice agriculture. The southern provinces depend on rubber and fruit orchards and fishing. However, as world prices for rubber and tin declined in the 1970s, some Patani Malays went to work in the Middle East or Malaysia, while others became more involved in fishing. Those involved in fishing must now be part of a boat crew owned by Thai or Chinese business men. Culture The Malays of South Thailand live in close-knit communities. They place a high value on social acceptance within their community. Many Patani Malay Muslims feel threatened by the Thai Buddhist majority in Thailand. Young people are being strongly influenced by what they see on TV and films. Drug abuse and immorality is increasing much to the concern of civic and religious leaders. There is a high incidence (70 to 85%) of HIV and AIDS among Patani Malay drug addicts in the towns of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla.

Religion

The Patani Malays are Muslim and the majority(99%) believed in the Sunni  of Sha-Fe-Ei school of thought  of Islam.

Patani Malay Population in Patani Raya, Thailand and other countries Patani Raya Population 1998 Est. Pop. 2005 Est. Malay Muslims (% of total population) Narathiwat 662,234 754,000 603,000 (82.0%) Pattani 599,219 685,000 552,000 (80.7%) Yala 429,501 493,000 339,000 (67,9%) Satun 256,800 303,000 205,000 (67.8%) Songkhla 1,210,921 1,390,000 322,000 (23.2%) Total: 2,021,000 Diaspora of Patani captives and immigrants in Central and East Thailand Population 1998 Est. Pop. 2005 Est. Malay Muslims (% of total population) Nonthaburi 826,464 986,000 42,000 (4%) Ayuthaya 730,740 788,000 38,000 (4.8%) Bangkok 5,647,799 6,360,000 261,000 (4.1%) Nakhonpathom 711,116 820,000 61,500 (7.5%) Phetchaburi 456,527 470,000 12,000 (2.5%) Nakhonnayok 241,939 260,000 15,500 (5.9%) Trat 221,904 240,000 7,000 (2.8%) Rayong 515,008 574,000 6,500 (1.1%) Conburi 1,053,433 1,185,000 19.000 (1.6%) Chachoengsao 636,323 698,000 44,500 (6.4) Total: 506,000 Assimilated Malay in South Thailand Population 1998 Est. Pop. 2005 Est. Malay Muslims (% of total population) Ranong 151,868 165,000 18,000 (10,9%) Phuket 221,835 250,000 43,000 (17.1%) Pattalung 498,805 520,000 43,000 (17.1%) Nakonsithammarat 1,511,857 1,600,000 99,000 (6.2%) Krabi 351,548 370,000 128,500 (34.7%) Trang 584,154 610,000 83,500 (13.7%) Prachupkhirikhan 468,880 500,000 5,000 (1%) Suratthani 861,233 900,000 18,000 (2%) Total: 452,000 Patani Malay immigrants and their diaspora in other  countries  Est. Patani Malay Malaysia 490,000 Indonesia 150,000 Saudi Arabia 55,000 Total: 695,000