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Dialect So-So and Fatoni in My Memory – documentary films on peace and reconciliation in Thailand’s deep south

6 March 2018

Many Thai citizens know little about the real experiences of people in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces. The region has been plagued by a simmering violent conflict since at least 2004, yet mainstream media in Thailand has often presented a simplified and even biased picture of events. To address such misrepresentation of the issue, MRG, in conjunction with IDIO Films and Fatoni Films, present two short documentaries that tell the real stories of people living in Thailand’s deep south.

Watch the full films below and read more about our Thailand programme.

Fatoni in My Memory

Languages: Thai

Subtitles: English

Produced by Minority Rights Group, the People’s Empowerment Foundation and Fatoni Films

Runtime: 7.23 minutes

Funder: The Kingdom of Belgium and The European Union

The region of Thailand currently known as the deep south, encompassing the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla, was once an independent Muslim sultanate known as Patani or Fatoni, before it was annexed to Thailand by the British in 1909. The film explores ideas of historical injustice, especially the destruction of the region’s cultural artefacts by the Thai state, and traces them to the modern-day conflict that continues to wage unabated between a separatist movement and the Thai state authorities.  As the government has made little progress in realising the rights of the Malay Muslim minority, particularly cultural, linguistic, religious, civil and political rights, the denial of these rights is manifested in a conflict that targets civilians. While the Thai government has for decades taken a largely assimilationist approach to the deep south, the identity of the people of Patani cannot be erased, and the people will not forget their history.

Dialect So-So

Languages: Thai and Pattani Malay

Subtitles: English

Produced by Minority Rights Group, the People’s Empowerment Foundation and Idio Films

Run time: 7:55 minutes

Funder: Kingdom of Belgium

‘Dialect So-So’ highlights the success of the Thai-Chinese-Buddhist minority in finding dialogue and peace with their Malay Muslim neighbours at times of continuing insurgency and conflict in the area and despite their profound cultural and religious differences. With respect for diversity, human dignity and belief, these communities embody values that allowed them to build a society that peacefully and respectfully accommodates its diverse members.