RAMADAN IN BANGKOK: DEVOTION AND DIVISION WITHIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 006773 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS; EAP/PD E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2016 TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV PHUM TH KPAO SUBJECT: RAMADAN IN BANGKOK: DEVOTION AND DIVISION WITHIN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY REF: BANGKOK 07750 Classified By: AMBASSADOR RALPH L. BOYCE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Summary: PAO celebrated a Ramadan evening with the Secretary General of the Thailand Central Islamic Committee SIPDIS Pichet Sathirachaval and his family at the Bangkok Central Mosque, providing a glimpse into Thai Muslim life in Bangkok during this religious festival. Pichet told PAO about Canadian and Japanese assistance programs to the Muslim South and proposed that the United States establish a free trade zone in the troubled provinces. He and several other Thai Muslim guests called for full democracy to be restored to Thailand, at least partially because they are anxious to launch their new Muslim party. Intra-Muslim divisions and jealousies were noted privately with PAO. Suggestions that the Ambassador might attend the upcoming Prophet's Birthday celebrations drew concern. PAO, who was requested to wear Islamic garb including hijab, was told this was the first time an American had attended these celebrations and that most foreign visitors were Iraqi, Iranian and Malaysian. End summary. Ramadan in Bangkok -------------- ¶2. (C) Secretary General of the Thailand Central Islamic Committee (formerly Minister of Communications and Minister of Commerce) Pichet Sathirachaval and his wife Suree hosted PAO and her husband at a small, informal iftar (break-fast) dinner at the Bangkok Central Mosque on October 20. The invitation was offered after PAO demonstrated an interest in and knowledge of Islam and Arabic at the Ambassador's iftar a few days earlier. PAO, dressed in long skirt and hijab (head scarf) as requested, presumably as a sign of respect and possibly to blend in more easily, showed up at the Central Mosque just after sun-down to witness several thousand people praying, eating and shopping in the open-air mosque grounds. Interlocutors told PAO that this year's festival, held every night of Ramadan, had the biggest turnout ever. All women wore Islamic dress, shook hands (rather than the traditional Thai waj) with the PAO, and offered greetings of "salaamu aleikum." PAO met only Thais, including several who had spent some time in the Arab world and spoke Arabic, and was told that foreign visitors tended to be Iraqi, Iranian and Malaysian. Throughout the evening, Suree and her sister, who introduced PAO around to friends unhesitatingly, reassured the PAO that she was very welcome even though "not everyone likes the Americans." A "Halal" FTA? -------------- ¶3. (C) In a private room over break-fast with Pichet and a few other Thai Muslim guests, he told PAO he wanted to help Muslims throughout Thailand and especially in the South. He said he had met with the Canadian Ambassador, who had agreed to donate around USG 30,000 dollars to support the construction of three buildings in Narathiwat province to be used as libraries and community cooperative stores. Pichet added that the Japanese Ambassador had likewise expressed an interest in donating 3 million baht (approx. USG 80,000 dollars) for the construction of hospitals and birth centers in the deep south, noting the lack of Muslim female mid-wives and the high number of women who die in childbirth. Pichet then proposed that the United States set up a free trade zone with the Muslim provinces in the deep south to improve their economic situation. He reasoned that if factories could be lured to these areas with the promise of tax-free production, it would help the provinces' desperate economies and help stem the violence. He was particularly interested in promoting the export of halal chicken, e.g., chicken prepared according to Islamic standards. Seeking a Muslim Political Voice in a Democratic System -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) When asked about the coup, Pichet and others around the table were non-committal, saying "some Muslims were in favor and some against" the coup, but they would wait and see. Later, one guest made it clear that he thought the coup was wrong and said that if martial law lasted over a year, he would be "the first to go out and demonstrate." Pichet spoke about the establishment of a Muslim political party, Santipaap Thai (Thai Peace),noting they had been hoping to field candidates in the (cancelled) election and now they would have to wait. Pichet thought this political party could help entice those Malay Muslims who were fleeing or had BANGKOK 00006773 002 OF 003 fled to Malaysia to return by giving them a political voice. Islam is the (Religious) Solution -------------- ¶5. (C) Asked if the current government would have the potential to improve the situation of Muslims in the South, Pichet and others appeared doubtful. One guest called General Sonthi "a Muslim but not a man of Islam." He was quick to add his hope that General Sonthi might change, noting that the General is planning to make the Haj this year and already has the Saudi visa in his passport. Pichet revealed his own story of conversion to Islam some 36 years prior upon marrying his Thai Muslim wife. However, happily recounting his years working as a bartender in the United States, he claimed it was only within the past year that he had become a true Muslim as a result of having made the Haj to Mecca. Pichet was moved by the "brotherhood of Muslims of all races" and also felt he had a religious epiphany in Mecca that led him to pray regularly and observe Islamic tenets more strictly. Rivalry within the Community -------------- ¶6. (C) At one point, Pichet's wife Suree took the opportunity to complain privately to PAO, highlighting jealousies and rivalry within the Muslim community. She accused Damrong, the eldest son of Sheikh ul-Islam Sawat Sumalyasak who is the Chula Rajmontri, e.g., the official representative of the Thai Muslim community, of stealing money from the community and forging his father's name to issue decrees and enhance his own position. (Note: The Central Islamic Committee is chosen every six years, with 36 members elected and 12 nominated by the Chula Ratamontri. The 2006 list has been formed already, but must be approved by the King. Once approved, this Committee will elect the Secretary General. The two top candidates are Pichet, for reelection, and Damrong. End note). An Invitation Rescinded? -------------- ¶7. (C) The Prophet's Birthday celebrations, Mawlid Al-Nabi, will be held November 17-19, with the opening ceremony to be presided over by the Crown Prince. PAO's comment that the Ambassador might be interested in attending -- which Pichet had suggested himself a few days earlier at the Ambassador's iftar -- was received that evening with looks of concern. Pichet commented, "Maybe next year. The Ambassador is a very big personality for this event." (Note: Pichet's secretary later told PA Thai staff that a couple of Islamic committees in the South consider the United States an unfriendly country and they appear to have influenced Pichet's thinking. She added that eight Muslim ambassadors have thus far accepted the invitation including Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Pakistan, Kuwait and Iran. The Canadian and Japanese ambassadors have been invited. End note). Bringing Together Muslim Hearts...and International Assistance -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) After handing out donation appreciation certificates to generous members of the Muslim community in front of a backdrop in Thai that said "Occasion to Bring Together Muslim Hearts," Pichet delivered impassioned remarks, sermon-style, to a couple of hundred people. He started off by highlighting the Ambassador's iftar, which included leaders from religious leadership of the southern provinces, as an opportunity for positive dialogue (note: Pichet had himself asked post to include those leaders at the iftar and encouraged them to maintain a direct relationship with the Ambassador. end note). Pichet also outlined Canadian and Japanese assistance efforts and his own creative ideas to help the South. He talked about his philosophy that "religion comes before politics" and the importance of Muslims helping one another. Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) Celebrating Ramadan with Secretary General Pichet and his family at the Central Mosque provided a fascinating, microcosmic view of Bangkok Thai Muslim society that Westerners rarely, if ever, frequent. Pichet, who is from the Bangkok elite with personal experience in the United States, represents the capital's moderate, staunchly Thai, Muslim community. Like the rest of Thai society, this community has undercurrents of internal competition and controversy as Pichet's wife makes clear. Likewise, the deep BANGKOK 00006773 003 OF 003 gaps between Bangkok Muslims and their co-religionists in the South -- reflected in their different attitude toward inviting the Ambassador to Prophet's Birthday celebrations -- are even deeper, with differences of ethnicity, outlook and perspective continuing to divide them. End comment. BOYCE