The History of Muslim of The Chao Phraya Basin

Abstract

This academic article aims to study the history and background of the Thai Muslims in the central part of Thailand by gathering information from historically significant documents, research, and academic texts that recorded the story of the first Muslim settlers under the Ayutthaya period by sailing to trade in the Chao Phraya River basin. The Muslims have a variety of careers, such as government, trading, farming, and fishery. The Muslims came to have a good relationship with the Ayutthaya period with various nationalities such as Persian, Arabian, Malay, and Cham. Areas in the Chao Phraya River basin since the Ayutthaya, Thonburi, and Rattanakosin periods are abundant and prosperous. As a result, an increasing number of Muslims settling in this region consists of Muslims from many nationalities who have traveled to pursue a career and resided in the central part of Thailand from the past until they became Thai people.
The study of the history of Muslims in the Chao Phraya River basin found that Muslims lived together in a large community along the canal because they came to trade and settle in the Ayutthaya area through sailing in that period. Muslims have the same faith, ministering, and various
occupations and have played an important role in Thailand's society,
economy, and politics from the Ayutthaya period until now. A Muslim
community was already found living in the Thonburi and Rattanakosin
period due to it being a commercial outpost town, and there was also a community of Muslims from Pattani living there. In each period, the Muslims will cooperatively build a place of worship that is the spiritual anchor of the people in the communities and a source of religious learning in order for the people adhere to good morals and be moral people of the land.