The article focuses on Muslims in the four southern border provinces. These local Muslims call themselves Malayu and speak and write the Arabic-based Yawi language. Patani state used to cover a wide area before it was split into Patani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces after it was placed under Siamese rule. Madrasa schools provide both general and religious education to the local population. Local Muslims still strictly maintain their religious, cultural and linguistic identities.