Experiences of Religious Pluralism in Thailand: Lessons for Southeast Asian Countries

International Journal of Interreligious and Intercultural Studies (IJIIS) ISSN: 2654-2706, Volume 2, Number 1, April 2019

EXPERIENCES OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IN THAILAND: LESSONS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES

Montri Kunphoommarl Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, Thailand

Abstract

This paper used the historical approach to overview the patterns and practices of religious pluralism in Thai context. The past research work on religious pluralism will be examined in order to ›nd out what concepts and approaches have been used and how they could implement in reality. Most Thai people practice in Buddhism, and they do not have any conﬁicts with other Thai Muslims or Christian. They live peacefully and harmoniously in co-existence among different religious adherents. The case of Thai Buddhist and Thai Muslim live together happily in the Southern communities will be employed and discussed using social and cultural capital analytical approach. The factors and conditions concerning with religious pluralism are analyzed more in details. The applications of religious pluralism in the study to other Southeast Asian countries will also recommend.

Introduction in these areas. In the southern part of Thailand, 3 During the period from January provinces. Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat 2004 to June 2013, the unrests peaked are rich in natural resources. Both Thai in these southern border provinces Buddhists and Muslims settle down in (Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat) including these areas since 1634. These provinces four districts in Songkhla province. were a multicultural society area as seen The peak ›gures showed the period by the archaeological sites, such as the represented during 114 months with mosque and temple. Therefore, both 13,434 incidents of unrest. The result Buddhists and Muslims live in harmony of deaths was 5,755, 2,213 (38.45%)

68 Montri Kunphoommarl Buddhists and 3,394 (58.97%) Concepts and Theories Muslims and 148 (2.58%) unidenti›ed. Community Capital Theory The injured people were 10,200; Main theory used in this study 6,024 (59.05%) Buddhist, 3,211 is community capital. Flora, Flora (31.47%) Muslim and 966 (9.46%) and Fey, (2004) de›ned capital as, unidenti›ed. (Source from http://www. “Capital is any type of resource capable deepsouthwatch.org/node/4570 access of producing additional resources… 12 May 2014) When those resources or assets are However, Thai Buddhists and invested to create new resources, they Muslims in Sai Khao Subdistrict, Khok become capital.” Thus, community Pho District, Pattani Province, Thailand capitals represent assets in all aspects lived in harmony under the coexistence of community life. The community of cultural diversity. They have capitals framework used as an approach encouraged cooperative and exchange to analyze how communities work. work pattern in public or community The seven types of capital include work. In 2006, Pattani Provincial 1) natural; 2) cultural; 3) human; 4) government selected Sai Khao social; 5) political; 6) ›nancial; and 7) Subdistrict as the “Santisuk Subdistrict” built. The overview framework of the (Peaceful and Happiness Area) after community capitals is as the following: the unrest incident occurred in the area. 1. Natural capital refers to those assets This Subdistrict was selected as a study that abide in a location, including site for learning how they live together resources, amenities, and natural in harmony without any confiicts beauty, the it might include parks, and actively take care of community farm land, and features of landscape security. or of nature. Research Objectives 2. Cultural capital includes what heritages are valued, collaboration 1. To study the characteristics of the Sai across races, ethnicities, and Khao Subdistrict that promote Thai generations, for examples, ethnic Buddhist and Thai Muslim to live in festivals, multi-lingual populations, peacefully styles. or strong work ethic. 2. To analyze the factors and conditions 3. Human capital includes the skills and that support religious pluralism abilities of people, and leadership (Thai Buddhist and Thai Muslim) ability to lead across differences, to construct way of life without for examples, local leadership confiicts. development. 4. Social capital refiects the connections between people and

69 Experiences of Religious Pluralism in Thailand: Lessons for Southeast Asian Countries

organizations, both close ties that Research Methodology build community cohesion and Qualitative research technique weak ties that create and maintain employed in this study. It focuses on bridges among organizations and document research and reviews of communities. research work conducted during the 5. Political capital reﬁects access to past 10 years. The concepts and theories power and power brokers, such mainly based on community capitals as access to local, county, state and multicultural perspectives used for government of›cials. descriptive and analytical explanations 6. Financial capital refers to ›nancial the results of the paper. resources available to invest in community capacity building, Research Results business development, and social The results of this study will entrepreneurship. discuss on the following three items. 7. Built capital refers to the Firstly, the general basic information of infrastructure that supports the study area – Sai Khao Subdistrict, the community such as Khok Pho district, Pattani province telecommunications, street, roads, was summarized. Secondly, the water and sewers. main characteristics of study site and Multiculturalism Theory discusses how these characteristics Multiculturalism is the co-existence help promoting the coexistence of of diverse cultures, where culture living together in harmony among includes racial, religious, or cultural multicultural community like Sai Khao groups, and manifested in customary case will be described. Thirdly, this behaviors, cultural assumption and paper aims to ›nd out and analyze the values, patterns of thinking, and factors and conditions that construct the communicative styles. living peacefully style between the Thai According to Andrew Heywood Buddhists and Thai Muslims people in (2017), reﬁects two forms of such community. multiculturalism. They are descriptive Basic and General Information of Sai and normative ones. As a descriptive Khao Community term, it refers to cultural diversity and The study site (Sai Khao as a normative term, multiculturalism community) was in Sai Khao implies a positive of communal Subdistrict, Khok Pho District, Pattani diversity, based on the rights of different Province. It is about 6 kilometers groups to respect and recognition or to from Khok Pho District with the total the larger society of normal and cultural area of 44,130 square kilometers or diversity. 27,581 rai. Topography of this area is

70 Montri Kunphoommarl mainly lowland which is quite good for Muslims are organized the social agricultural practices with partly plateau activities in Sai Khao Subdistrict as the adjunct to the San Kalakiri mountain following: range. 1. National Children’s Day, ICT The total number of households is Learning Center (January); 1,242 households, with 4,108 people, 2. Sport Cup Competition, divided into 2,009 men and 2,099 organized by Sai Khao Subdistrict women. They are Buddhists about 42 Administrative Organization (April), percent, and Islam about 58 percent. 3. Wild racing and mountain biking The main occupation in Sai Khao event as well as indigenous and District is agriculture work. The ancient food activities (July) farming area was about 3,442 rai of rice 4. National Mother’s Day (August) product; land area about 1,256 rai, with 5. National Father’s Day (December) agricultural plants such as peanut, corn; 6. Guan Ahroh (Muslim food making garden area about 11,506 rai, with the festival) (December and January) product of rubber, durian, long kong Timeline of Sai Klao Subdistrict (lansium), coconut. Garcinia. Sai Khao Subdistrict was an old The education system consists of community with three hundred years 2 primary schools located in Moo 3 of religious places. Thai Buddhist and Moo 1; and a secondary school as and the Thai Muslims also connected pondok school (Muslim school) in Moo community to unite by helping to build 6. The religious institutions consist of 1 a mosque in this Subdistrict in 1634. Buddhist temple located in Moo 3, and In 1914, according to the Local 4 mosques which 2 mosques in Moo 1; Government Act 1914, the ›rst leader of and each one of mosque in Moo 4 and Chief Executive of Sai Khao Subdistrict 6. was Muslim village head; Khun Sawak Both Thai Buddhists and Thai Waluakit (Che Sa Tam).

Table 1. Six villages, Tambon Sai Khao

Population Number of household Male/Female Moo 1, Ban Yai 943 275 458/485 Moo 2, Ban Luang 561 172 277/269 Moo 3, Ban White Sand House 683 264 343 /365 Moo. 4, Ban Khuan Lang Ses 758 201 347 /367 Moo 5, Ban Sai Khao 527 177 254 /283 Moo. 6, Ban Lam 337 153 330/330 Total 4,108 1,242 2,009/2,099 source: Sai Khao Subdistrict Administrative Organization Access June 4, 2012

71 Experiences of Religious Pluralism in Thailand: Lessons for Southeast Asian Countries

During 1976-77, there was a big of people in the community. Some ﬁight between the police patrol and villagers and civil servants were shot the communist alliance in Sai Khao and bombed. This situation made Subdistrict. This incident caused the the relationships among the villagers villagers shocked and scared of the become alienated and stayed away from community insecurity. each other, not the same as in the past. In 1998, the Climbing San Karakiri In 2006, after the unrest in the mountainous project was organized by South occurred, the villagers formed the villagers of Sai Khao Subdistrict themselves as volunteers for the security and cooperative with Sai Khao waterfall guard in Sai Khao Subdistrict. The conservation of›ce and Subdistrict volunteers were both Thai Buddhists Administrative Organization. The and Thai Muslims actively involved in purpose of this activity was to increase this activity. Then Sai Khao Subdistrict more income for villagers due to the era was selected from Pattani Province to of the economic bubble burst in 1997. become the ›rst Santisuk or peaceful In 1999, Phrakhru Thammakikosol, Subdistrict. the abbot of the Sai Khao Temple died In 2011, a cultural conservation which making both Thai Buddhists and ancient food festival organized and Thai Muslims joined together in for the ›rst time by villagers in Sai this ceremony. In addition, some Thai Khao Subdistrict. The main purpose Muslims also showed their sympathy of cultural conservation festival was for the death of the abbot of Sai Khao for the community meeting of all ages, temple. old people, young people and children. In 2004. The villagers were They learned about various cultures, empowered and transferred academic traditions and traditional dishes of knowledge to increase community Muslim food, with activities called economic strengths and to be self- Guan Ahroh, an ancient food of Malay reliant community by Faculty staffs Muslims. Both Thai Buddhists and and students of Prince of Songkla Thai Muslims actively participated in University, Pattani campus. The project Guan Su Chu activity from the start to was based on Community Strengths and ›nish. Grassroots Economic Development. The success of social activities In 2004, there were unrest in depended on the operation and the southern border provinces which collaboration of all types of community affected on Sai Khao Subdistrict as well leaders, including local leaders, as the other communities, including the both Chief Executive of Subdistrict impacts on life and property safety. The Administrative Organization and impact also covered the relationships village heads, natural leaders, religious

72 Montri Kunphoommarl leaders. They supported physical work and marriage relationship by cross and budget, both by donations from culture activities. Some of them villagers and annual budget from became close friends from the same government agencies. school for such a long time. These Characteristics of Sai Khao relationships help create consistency Subdistrict as Peaceful Happiness of love and harmony especially in Community working together without caring The ›rst objective is to study about their differences in religion. the characteristics of the Sai Khao Moreover, they believe to have the Subdistrict that promote Thai Buddhist same ancestor and they have joined and Thai Muslim to live in peacefully both the Thai Buddhist festivals and styles. From the above information, the Thai Muslim festivals in various main characteristics are summarized as types of activities follows: 3. Natural Resources - The 1. Leadership – Religious leaders availability of natural resources in supported community potential, Sai Khao Subdistrict are abundance especially the abbot of Sai Khao in terms of water and land quality Temple named Phrakhru Sri for agricultural production. These Ratanakorn, as ›rst pioneer abbot resources provide secure occupation to make tourist attraction from Sai and reduce labor migration to Khao Subdistrict to the Sai Khao Bangkok or elsewhere. It also Waterfall. In addition, the former decreases poverty alleviation abbot of the Sai Khao Temple, and natural resource conﬁict encouraged the education promotion management for empowerment for Thai Buddhist and Thai Muslim of community strengths and self- children in the community through reliance. scholarship funding. Moreover, 4. Communication Language – The village leaders, such as Uncle southern part of Thailand had Prasert, former Kamnan (Head of Sai their dialect that generally use to Khao Subdistrict and former Chief communicate with each other. Even Executive Sai Khao Subdistrict though Muslim people use Malay Administrative Organization) language but both of Thai Buddhists persuaded Thai Buddhist and Thai and Thai Muslims still use the Muslim to participate in community southern dialect for communication. activities. Although, the Muslim people speak 2. Kinship System - Thai Buddhist and the southern dialect in everyday life Thai Muslim emerged their strong but they did not feel that they lose relationships in the past from cordial their identity and Malay language.

73 Experiences of Religious Pluralism in Thailand: Lessons for Southeast Asian Countries

Factors and Conditions of Sai Khao development or work, for example, Subdistrict as Peaceful Happiness working together to make dams, Community making roads in Buddhist temples, The second objective is to analyze digging grasses at the Muslim burial the factors and conditions that support cemetery. This could be called religious pluralism (Thai Buddhist and “Trust Capital” which could lead to Thai Muslim) to construct way of life common consciousness or public without conﬁicts. mind and will certainly strengthen 1. Social capital – different religious Sai Khao Subdistrict. group participation: There are group 2. Political capital – Equal power of agricultural product variants or between different religious leaders: bananas group started in 1986 with, There is a rotation process in 20 Thai Buddhist group members, the position of Chief Executive and 2 Thai Muslims members and Subdistrict Administrative receive dividends per share from Organization between the Thai OTOP product sales about about Buddhist and Muslim leaders. If 500 baht per person every month. In the current Chief Executive of Sai addition, there is a group of Garcinia Khoa Subdistrict Administrative and the cloth making group, with Organization, for example, is Thai 5 members of Thai Muslim and, Buddhist, then the next Chief 8 Thai Buddhists. A saving group Executive will be Thai Muslim called one baht saving per day autonomically because there will with 1,355 group members, 870 be no other Thai Buddhist apply Thai Buddhists, 495 Thai Muslims, for the Chief Executive position and totally of revolving fund for competition. Then the rotation welfare bene›t of 1,189,685 baht, system is quite good practice to with the total members’ deposits of reduce conﬁicts in the leadership 1,903,882 baht. - Different religious position among the multi-cultural group voluntary work: The bond community. In addition, there are support between different religions efforts to share quotas for Thai inherited from the ancestors create Buddhists and Thai Muslims in help from both Thai Buddhist and the position of Chief Executive Thai Muslim in the merit ceremony. of Subdistrict Administrative According to the traditions of Islam Organization. For example, if the and of Buddhism, both exchange Chief Executive of the Subdistrict candy food for each neighbor. Administrative Organization is They exchange or reciprocity of a Thai Muslim then two Deputy labor in the manner of sharing of Chief Executives of Subdistrict

74 Montri Kunphoommarl

Administrative Organization will be 4. Cultural capital – Same language, 1 Thai Buddhist and 1 Thai Muslim. kinship: Both Thai Buddhists - Capacity of various religious and Muslims accept each other’s leaderships – the leaderships are religious differences and participate formal and non-formal leaders in other religious activities without in terms of religious leaders any conﬁicts in belief. For example, and occupational group leaders. if there is an event held at the Religious leaders consist of abbot, temple, Thai Muslims will go to Sai Khao Temple and Islamic head of help sweep or clean up the temple. the ancient mosque named Bagnola If there is a job at the mosque Thai or Najmudin. According to the Buddhists mobilize people to help local government structure leaders willingly. consist of the Chief Executive 5. Built capital œ Unique identity: of the Sai Khao Subdistrict The main built capital comprises of Administrative Organization and a 300-year ancient mosque located the Deputy Chief Executive of the at village number 4 (Khuan Lang Sai Khao Subdistrict Administrative village) to be considered as unique Organization, Kamnan or Head identity in the architecture of Sai of Subdistrict Sai Khao, and Khao subdistrict. The ancient village headman of village number mosque combines the ideas and 1-6, informal leader or former cultures of Thai Buddhist and Thai experienced leaders and elderly Muslim with the appearance of the leaders. In addition, there are mosque style of pavilion. At present leadership development programs in time, the Fine Arts Department has Sai Khao Subdistrict. registered 300-year ancient mosque 3. Financial capital – Community fund as an archaeological site. raising: Sai Khao Subdistrict raise 6. Natural resources capital – funds from making the tiny rolled Common Property: The abundance metal amulet inscribed with magic of fertile land, forestry and waterfall words called Narai Transforms in for agriculture and tourism purposes order to earn money for religious make huge agricultural products development purpose such as for and increase more income for local construction of Sai Khao temples people in Sai Khao subdistrict. and mosques. They also devote educational Scholarship supports for Conclusion and Suggestions both Thai Buddhist and Thai Muslim Refer to the ›rst objective, the students to further study at higher research results show that there are four education. main characteristics for Thai Buddhist

75 Experiences of Religious Pluralism in Thailand: Lessons for Southeast Asian Countries and Muslim in Sai Khao subdistrict to actively becomes key point that lead live together happily and peacefully. to public consciousness among all Firstly, the leadership role has participating members. played actively in supporting tourist Second, Political capital shows destinations such as water fall route, the leadership spirits in rotation and higher education scholarships for of leadership position among Thai students. Buddhist and Muslim by transferring Secondly, the kinship system the chief of Sai Khao subdistrict through bloodline, cordial and marriage administrative organization (SAO) from relationships make both Thai Buddhist Thai Buddhist to Muslim after the Thai and Muslim work together and help Buddhist served the full term (4 years) each other doing religious activities of the Chief position. Moreover, there well. are a quota system for deputy chief Thirdly, natural resources position at SAO – one position for Thai availability could be sustainable uses Buddhist and the other for Muslim. to uplift the quality of lives, increase Third, Financial capital is based income for two believers-Buddhist and on the raising funds for religious Muslim. development and education purposes Fourthly, language for through two main activities – the communication for these two religious Narai Transform products and higher groups is southern Thai dialects that educational scholarship. commonly uses in everyday lives. All Fourth, Cultural capital reﬁects of them especially the Muslim dare to the strong kinship relations and the speak Thai without any fear of losing acceptance of different religious belief their own identity. between Thai Buddhist and Muslim For the second research objective, people. Most of them help each other the research results on community during they join both Buddhist and capital that affect the coexistence Islam religious ceremonies or activities. between Thai Buddhist and Muslim Fifth, Built capital consists of in Sai Khao can be summarized as the the registered 300 ancient mosque as following: archaeological site by the Fine Arts First, Social capital helps create Department. strong ties between Thai Buddhist Sixth, Natural resource capital in and Muslim in group development for terms of fertile agriculture, forestry, example One Tambon One Product land and waterfall could be served for (OTOP) Group members, the group agricultural and tourism purposes. members who are Thai Buddhist and Muslim exchange knowledge and

76 Montri Kunphoommarl Suggestions Second, the deliberative dialogue The case of Sai Khao community between the two different community should be applied as lessons learnt members should be strengthen in order to the other different religious to summarize the unique religious communities in 2 points. identity and create the common First, the community capitals such ideology and interests which help as social capital and cultural capital sustain the religious pluralism in the should be key approach for community long term.[] self-identi›cation or assessment among the different religious community.

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