Muslims of Lumplee Community and Phukhaothong Community in Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya District: Preliminary Survey

Abstract

This article aims to study history and background of the Thai Muslims in Lumplee sub-district and Phukhaothong sub-district in Phranakhon si Ayutthaya district, since the first Muslim settlers in the Ayutthaya period. The Muslims have a variety of occupations such as working in government, trading, farming and fishery. The Muslims who came to connect the relationship with Ayutthaya has a variety of nationalities such as Persian, Arabian, Malay and Cham people. Lumplee community and Phukhaothong community was named two ancient Muslims communities of Phranakhon si Ayutthaya district that consists of Muslims from many nationalities which came to Thailand and became a Thai people.

From the study of history and ways of life from Muslims of Lumplee sub-district and Phukhaothong sub-district found that majority of the population will set up houses on the banks of canal. The main occupation of the municipal are agriculture and trade. There are many groups for the occupation such as farmers group and savings group and leaf lan basketry group. Both sub-districts have the interesting attraction places which attract tourists both of Thai tourists from other provinces and foreign tourists around the world. Lumplee sub-district and Phukhaothong sub-district have potential of economic and have various local wisdom and also there are the important religious places that spiritual anchor of the people in the communities in order to adhere on good morals.