Anti-Malay Sentiment - Thailand

Thailand

Southern Thailand and particularly the province of Pattani is the home of the ethnic Malays in Thailand. In the 18th century after the Thais captured the Malay-dominated provinces in the south, the Thai consciously avoided referring to the people as Malays and instead preferring the term Thai Muslim. For the purpose of integration, Malay identity was discouraged by the Thai state. Due to such policy, young Malay fluency in Malay is decreasing. This had led to prejudice against Muslims in general instead of specifically against the Malays.

At present, there are Malay separatists in southern Thailand demanding that the Malay-Muslim dominated provinces are granted independence. This has led to killing done by Muslim terrorist. Indiscriminate arrest of Malays has fueled distrust and resentment against the Thai authority among the locals.

Thaksin had declared a militant law in southern Thailand. Former Prime Minister Thaksin has been blamed for action that lead to an incident at Tak Bai that led to the death of a number of Malays.