Everything about Pattani Province totally explained
Pattani (
Thai ปัตตานี) is one of the southern
provinces (
changwat) of
Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south-east clockwise)
Narathiwat,
Yala and
Songkhla.
Geography
Pattani is located on the
Malay Peninsula, with the coast of the
Gulf of Thailand in the north. In the south mountainous landscape with the
Sankalakhiri mountain range, including the
Budo - Su-ngai Padi National Park, is located at the border to Yala and Narathiwat, protecting hill forests with rare vegetation such as the Bangsoon palm (
Johnnesteijsmannia altifon) and Takathong
rattan, as well as birds like the
hornbill. Namtok Sai Khao on the border with Songkhla and Yala is a forest park, remarkable for the Sai Khao waterfall.
History
The name Pattani is actually the
Thai corruption of
Patani, its original name means 'this beach' in
Patani Malay language. In standard malay, it's "Pantai Ini".
Historically Pattani Province was the centre of the semi-independent
Malay Sultanate of Patani Darul Makrif, but paying tribute to the Thai kingdoms of
Sukhothai and
Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya fell in
1767, Sultanate of Patani gained full independence but under King
Rama I it again came under Siam's control.
In
1909, it was annexed by Siam as part of
Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 negotiated with the
British Empire. Both Yala (Jala) and Narathiwat (Menara) were originally part of Pattani, but were split off and became provinces of their own. Satun (Sentul) and Songkhla (Singgora) were nearby states.
There exists a
separatist movement in Pattani, which after being dormant for many years erupted again in 2004. Grievances cited include discrimination against Pattani Muslims by Thai Buddhists, including forcible repression of local language and script, police brutality and corruption, as well as religious practices. As such, the revolutionary movement has increasingly taken on Islamic overtones, but remains largely isolated from global Islamic militancy, with the exception of proposed cooperative ties with neighboring Malays.
Demographics
Pattani is one of the four provinces of Thailand where the majority of the population are
Malay Muslim, making up 88% of the population. They speak the
Patani Malay language. The Pattani Malays are very similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malays of
Kelantan,
Malaysia.
Symbols
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The seal of the province shows the cannon called Phraya Tani, which was cast in the Pattani province. It was brought to Bangkok in 1785, and is now on display in front of the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok.
The provincial flower is the Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), and the provincial tree the Ironwood (Hopea odorata).
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Administrative divisions
Pattani is subdivided into 12 districts (
Amphoe), which are further subdivided into 115 communes (
tambon) and 629 villages (
muban).
The districts of
Chana (Malay:
Chenok),
Thepa (Malay:
Tiba) and
Saba Yoi (Malay:
Sebayu) were detached from Pattani and transferred to
Songkhla in recent times by the Thai government.
Tourism
Local Products
Pattani has many interesting local products such as dry squid, Budu sauce, fish chips, preserved look yee, brassware, Pateh,etc.
Culture
Festivals
Chak Phra Festival (ประเพณีชักพระ) This annual festival has been organized to commemorate the day that Lord Buddha came back from the heaven. Buddhists in Amphoe Khok Pho and nearby will accompany the decorated boat procession from all temples. The procession will be composed of beautifully dressed people. Activities include dancing and offering food to Buddhist monks at the District Office’s field for 5 days, 5 nights.
Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Fair (งานสมโภชเจ้าแม่ลิ้มกอเหนี่ยว) This fair is celebrated annually 15 days after Chinese New Year. Highlighting the event is the procession to carry the wooden sculpture of Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao-a goddess which is respected by the Chinese in Pattani. This annual fair also features extraordinary arts of endurance such as walking on fire. Before joining the festival for 7 days, participants of the fair need to be vegetarians by having no-meat food at least 7 days before the festival. Normally, the fair is celebrated widely by the people of Pattani and of nearby provinces.
Fishing Sports in Sai Buri (งานแข่งขันกีฬาตกปลาสายบุรี) The event is annually held on the second weekend of May at Hat Wasukri, Amphoe Sai Buri. Due to the long coast and the great amount of a variety of fish, this sport has become very popular and exciting.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Pattani Province'.
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