Historical Existence of Islamic Family Law in Southern Thailand

The reign of Thailand has gone through four eras beginning with the reign of Sukhothai, Ayuthaya, Kerung Thon Burhi and Krung Ratana Kosin. The Islamic family law has informally been implemented since the time of Sukhothai until the time of Krung Ratana Kosin. However, in the time of Thailand governed by Pra Chullachom Kelau Chau Yuhua, he has ordered to be drafted a statute of Islamic family law and it was implemented officially in 1945. Since then, the Islamic family law has been implemented in four southern Thai provinces of Pattani, Yala, Naratiwat, and Satul. This statute has been named as “Lak Kodmai Islam Waduaiu Krobkrua Law Morodok” (Rules of Islamic Law: Family and Inheritance).Then the government has appointed a few judges to adjudicate family cases in the society.