The Malays of Patani: Fighting for Identity Survival in the Thai State

KAMIL AMIR

Abstract


ABSTRACT: The article discusses the conflict in Southern Thailand, and argues that the main force sustaining the violence is the Thai government’s refusal to accept the Malay identity of the South. The article analyzes the policies of two Thai Prime Ministers; Phibun Songkhram and Thaksin Shinawatra. The various assimilation programs and policies were seen as a threat towards identity survival by the Malays. This paper concludes that this feeling of being threatened manifested in the separatist tendencies of the more radical elements in the Southern Malay population. Until a greater effort is undertaken to accommodate the uniquely Malay identity of the South, the conflict shall be ongoing.

Key words: identity, Southern Malay, Phibun Songkhram, Thaksin Shinawatra, Patani

 

ABSTRAK: Makalah ini membincangkan konflik di Selatan Thailand, dan berhujah bahawa keganasan berterusan kerana kerajaan Thailand enggan mengiktiraf identiti Melayu di Selatan. Makalah ini meneliti polisi dua Perdana Menteri; Phibun Songkhram dan Thaksin Shinawatra. Pelbagai program asimilasi dilihat oleh masyarakat Melayu sebagai ancaman terhadap kelangsungan identiti mereka. Kesimpulan makalah ini mendapati perasaan terancam ini adalah sebab utama kecenderungan kumpulan pemisah di kalangan golongan radikal di Selatan Thailand. Selagi usaha yang lebih jitu tidak diambil untuk memberi ruang kepada identiti unik bahagian Selatan Thailand yang berciri Melayu, konflik ini pasti berterusan.

Kata kunci: identiti, Melayu Selatan, Phibun Songkhram, Thaksin Shinawatra, Patani


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