The Expansion of Islam in Pattani, South Thailand: A Historical Analysis

Abstract

This qualitative study discusses the dissemination process of Islam in Pattani, South Thailand, starting from the period of Hindu-Buddhist kingdom to the current state by focusing on the influence of Acehnese Muslims in the progress. The data were gathered by consulting related documents and conducting six-moth observation of Pattanians behavior. The intertwined connection between Aceh and Pattani was informed by the existence of tombstones similar to those from Aceh on the Pattanian kings’ tombs, the Story of Pattani and the Pasai village. Also, two Muslim scholars contributed to the development of Islam in Pattani. An Acehnese pious scholar, Sheikh Said, and an eminent Pattanian scholar, Sheikh Daud al-Fatani, played a substantial role in modelling Islam in the Pattani Kingdom and to its civilians. However, after the kingdom fell, it was incorporated into the Siam Kingdom. And today, Muslims only make up a minority group under the Buddhist Thai authority.