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

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 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.