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The mysterious diversity of Thailand's Muslims: Why are their beliefs so unique?
In Thailand, Muslims are a minority religion. According to statistics in 2006, about 4.9% of the Thai population are Muslims. That number rose to 7% following the 2023 Pew Research Center survey results. As of 2024, Thailand's total population is approximately 62.5 million, of which approximately 7.5 million are Muslims, accounting for approximately 12%. Most Thai Muslims are Sunni, but Thailand's society is diverse and includes immigrants from all over the world.
Population and Geography
The popular belief is that Thailand's Muslims are concentrated in four southern provinces: Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, but research by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that only 18% of Muslims live in these provinces.
In Bangkok, famous Muslim communities are mainly located in Nong Khiaw, Min Buri and Bang Rak. According to 2015 data from the National Statistics Office, Muslims make up 24% of the population in southern Thailand, while in other regions it is less than 3%. Historical BackgroundThere are also significant Muslim minorities in the southern region, including the provinces of Songkhla, Krabi, Tang, Nakhon Pathom and Phuket.
The presence of Muslim business communities in Thailand dates back to the 9th century. In early modern Thailand, Muslims from the Coromandel Coast also served as eunuchs in Thai palaces and royal courts.
This culture of tolerance has led to the diversity of Islamic beliefs in Thailand.Thailand is historically renowned for its religious tolerance, and many Muslims have served in the Siamese royal government at various times.
Ethnicity and Identity
Thailand's Muslim community is diverse, with ethnic groups migrating from China, Pakistan, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia, with about two-thirds of Muslims being Thai Malays.
Local Muslims in Thailand
Many Thai Muslims are ethnically and linguistically close to the native Thai population and are either hereditary Muslims, Muslims who became Muslims through intermarriage or recent converts. These Muslims live mainly in the central and southern provinces, with a diversity ranging from all-Muslim communities to mixed residences.
Malay Muslims
In the three southern provinces, the local Muslim population is mainly Malay, accounting for about 80% of the region's total population. Romaket comprises Malay groups historically based in the Badani Kingdom.
Chinese Muslims
In the north and some central and southern cities, there are Chinese Muslim communities, especially the Hui people from China.
The famous Chinese mosques in Ban and Chiang Mai provinces fully represent this community.
Other Muslim Groups
In addition to Malay and Chinese Muslims, there are other Muslim groups in Thailand, including Tamil, Cambodian Muslims and Burmese Muslims (such as the Rohingya). Their presence demonstrates the inclusiveness and diversity of Thai society.
The uniqueness of Thai Islam
Overall, while following traditional Islamic beliefs, Muslims in Thailand are influenced by Sufism and display different religious customs and traditions. Mawlid, the birthday of Muhammad, is an important holiday for Thai Muslims, as they reaffirm their identity as Thai citizens and their loyalty to the monarchy.
Religious places
According to the National Statistics Office of Thailand, there were 3,494 mosques in the country in 2007, of which 636 were located in Pattani province.
99% of mosques belong to Sunni and only 1% belong to Shia.
Governance and Education
Thailand's Muslim community is governed by an Islamic religious leader called the Chularatchamontri, who is appointed by the king and is responsible for all Islamic affairs in the country and consults with government agencies. The subordinate Central Islamic Council is responsible for advising the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior, and there are local Islamic councils in provinces with large Muslim populations.
Future Vision
As society evolves, Thailand's Muslim community continues to grow and play an important role in social, economic and cultural fields. How does such diversity affect inter-religious dialogue and harmony?
