Living Together as a Community in Multicural Society : A Case Study on Traikho Subdistrict, Khokpho in Pattani Province

Abstract

This research explores Living Together as a Community in Multicural Society : a Case Study on Traikho Subdistrict, Khokpho in Pattani Province. Due to the ongoing unrest situation in the areas of three southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla Province which has started since 2004, Sai Khao community has been affected in such a way that suspicion occurs between Buddhist residents and Malay-Muslim residents, and this issue might cause a long-term impact unless the community finds a way to solve it. This qualitative research aims to study factors that are supportive to peaceful coexistence and a way to maintain relationship between Buddhists and Malay-Muslims living in Sai Khao Sub-district, Khok Pho District, Pattani Province under the unrest situation that has been going on in the southern border provinces since 2004.
The study shows that natural resources capital, strong community leaders, just administration system, kinship relationship and using the same dialect are elements that contribute to peaceful coexistence between Buddhists and Malay-Muslims living in Sai Khao Comumunity. While the unrest continues, Sai Khao Community has applied a model of reconciliation to maintain relationship between Buddhists and Malay-Muslims by compromising, persuading, explaining and making an understanding and doing activities together, which are considered to be effective ways and bring about sustainable outcomes.