The Pattani Malay peoples of Southern Thailand

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Located on the east coast of Thailand, just north of the Malaysian border, the Pattani province is home to more than 1 million Pattani Malays, of which nearly all are Sunni Muslims.

Pattani Malays History and culture

The Pattani Malay people once had their own powerful and prosperous kingdom, until they were invaded and taken over by what was then called Siam (Thailand). This once strong and proud people are now a small minority within Thailand. Over the years, their unique Muslim culture has led to many separatist movements against the Thai government as they have developed a feeling of independence. There continues to be unrest among the more fundamental Islamic groups with an average of one bombing a month, usually targeting government offices.

Most Malays are rural people and live in villages known as kampungs. Fishing, rubber and rice farming are the main industries but tourism is a fast growing industry in the peninsular. The Pattani Malays can be divided into two linguistic groups: those who speak the Pattani Malay dialect and use the Jawi -modified Arabic script, and those who speak and read Thai. Many are illiterate as they usually only attend school until grade 6. The Malays live in close-knit communities and place a high value on social acceptance within their community. The typical family has a distinct and ordered structure, each member having their unique role to play within the extended family, and the father is the undisputed head. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is seen as rejection of not only a religion but of culture and family.

Gospel work among the Pattani Malays

In Thailand there is relative religious freedom but this could change with the emergence of more Muslims entering into government. Work with the Pattani Malay started in 1952 with evangelism being done through market and village visits, open-air campaigns, literature drives, medical work and leprosy clinics. A number of other different methods have been undertaken over recent years, most predominantly through meeting the social needs of the people. By 1992, there were only 100 believers with approximately 60 of these being baptised and continuing in the faith to varying degrees. The previous workers have laid a good foundation for this present generation of Christians to bring the Gospel.

Pray for the Muslims of Thailand

* Pray for the children to have an open heart, ready to hear and receive the Good News of the Gospel.

* Pray for the Fundamentalist groups to have a revelation of Jesus and the power of the Cross and that they would use their zeal for peace and the proclamation of the Gospel.

* Pray for the Government to have wisdom in their decisions and rule justly.

* Pray for national Christians to rise to the challenge of evangelising their own people with wisdom, understanding God’s leading in every situation.