Beautiful Beaches
| There are two accounts of how the name "Pattani" came into being. One story goes that about AD 1500, Sultan Ismail Shah was looking for a capital for his kingdom. When he came across an ideal place along Thailand's coast he exclaimed, "Pantai ini [This beach]!" According to another account the same sultan found a farmer's hat at the spot and called his new capital "Pak Tani [farmer]." It's hard to know which story is true. What can truthfully be said is that the Pattani Malay can look back on a long, rich history-and that the beaches along Thailand's coast are indeed beautiful! |  |
Who are the Pattani Malay?
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The Pattani Malay are Thai Muslims of Malay ethnicity. The majority of the Pattani Malay live in South Thailand, in the border provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani. They make up over 80% of the population of these provinces.
Livelihood
The Pattani Malay often support themselves through fishing, rubber tapping or by growing fruits and vegetables. Some also work in fish factories, in small businesses or as day laborers. Many struggle to make ends meet.
Culture
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Drug abuse and immorality are increasing, much to the concern of civic and religious leaders. There is also a growing incidence of HIV and AIDS among Malay drug addicts in the towns of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Beliefs
There is a saying: "To be Malay is to be Muslim." In the last ten years, Da'wah, a Muslim missionary revival movement, has been very active. Local people have become more faithful in the practice of their religion, fasting, observing prayers and promoting religious education.
Prayer Points
- May more Malay read and hear the story of Jesus. May their hearts be touched as they read and listen.
- Pray that the Pattani Malay would begin to experience God's power to meet their needs.
- Pray for those who are disillusioned with religious practices, that in Jesus they would find new hope.
- Pray that God would reveal himself through dreams and visions.
- Pray for Malay followers of Jesus to walk faithfully with God, despite their lonely circumstances. May they have courage to pray in Jesus' name when relatives are sick, in financial need or troubled by evil spirits.
- Pray that the Pattani Malay would be transformed by the Good News and that indigenous fellowships will be established that will transform the communities around them.
Read the full profile
Learn more about the Pattani Malay
(External Links)
Joshua Project People Profile
Wikipedia
Pattani Malay Human Rights Organisation
Pattani News
Conflict in South Thailand (Jakarta Post, September 2008)
Pattani Malay Language
South Thai Language