Pattani Province
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| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Capital: | Pattani |
| Area: | 1,940.4 km² Ranked 67th |
| Inhabitants: | 595,985 (2000) Ranked 39th |
| Pop. density: | 307 inh./km² Ranked 9th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-94 |
| Governor: | Phanu Uthairat (since 2005) |
| Map | |
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Pattani (Thai ปัตตานี) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south-east clockwise) Narathiwat, Yala and Songkhla.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] History
Historically Pattani was the centre of the semi-independent Malay Pattani kingdom, but paying tribute to the Thai kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya fell in 1767 Pattani 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 and Narathiwat were originally part of Pattani, but were split off and became provinces of their own.
There exists a separatist movement in Pattani, which after being dormant for many years erupted again in 2004. Grievances cited include long-standing prejudice and discrimination against Pattani Muslims by Thai Buddhists, including forcible repression of local language and script, 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.
[edit] 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. The Pattani Malays are very similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malays of Kelantan, Malaysia.
[edit] 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). |
[edit] 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 (Chenok in Malay), Thepa (Tiba), and Saba Yoi (Sebayu) were detached from Pattani and transferred to Songkhla in recent times by the Thai government.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Pattani province website (Thai)
- Pattani Erupts
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/thailand2.htm
- http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1268667,00.html
- Pattani provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
