The Malay Minority in Thailand: Some Observations

Abstract

Compared to other countries in Sotheast Asia, Thailand is quite a homogeneous sociefy. More than 80 percent of her population are of the same ethnic rrce. They speak the same language, believe in the same religion, share the same history and belong to the same culture. Yet, this does not mean that Thailand is entirely free from the problern of minority disaffection. 1 In fact, it may even be said that there has never been a time when the awarenels of this problem on the part of the authorities is as high as the present time. The case of the Thai Muslims in particular has recently proved to be of great concern among policy makers. It seems. however, that the gorrernment has yet to come up with a clear-cut.program of actions which wiil cope satisfactorily with both the expressed demands of the natives and the considerations for the security of the nation.