Southern Thai Malays Keep Language Alive

By Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri

NARATHIWAT, March 28 (Bernama) -- Despite Thai being the official language, the Malay Muslim community in Thailand’s southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani continues to hold firmly to the Malay language as a living part of daily life, passed down through generations.

Spoken widely in both villages and towns, Malay remains the main medium of interaction, reflecting a strong sense of identity and cultural continuity among the community.

Typically expressed in the Patani Malay dialect, the language closely resembles the Kelantan dialect in Malaysia, allowing for easy communication and long-standing cross-border ties.

The similarity not only bridges conversation but also strengthens social and economic links, particularly with Malaysians who frequently visit the region.

For many here, Malay is more than a means of communication, as it is also a marker of identity, heritage and history.

A Narathiwat resident, Abdul Rahman Yusof, 55, said the language continues to shape daily life.

“We have spoken Malay at home since childhood. Although Thai is used in formal education, Malay remains part of our everyday lives,” he told Bernama recently.

In Yala, food trader Siti Mariam Hassan, 43, said the shared dialect gives local traders an added advantage, especially when dealing with Malaysian customers.

“The Patani Malay and Kelantan dialects are very similar, so it is easy for us to communicate and create a friendly atmosphere,” she said, adding that differences in speech are minimal.

In Pattani, religious teacher Ustaz Ahmad Abdullah said Malay also plays a central role in religious learning at mosques and pondok institutions.

“Malay and Jawi script are essential in religious studies as many traditional texts are written in the language,” he said.

Bernama’s observation found that the continued use of Malay within families and communities has helped sustain the language among younger generations, and not merely preserved as a heritage.

-- BERNAMA