Malay Muslim Female Governor: A Symbol Of Openness And Development In Southern Thailand

By Noraizura Ahmad

PATTANI, July 5  (Bernama) – In her three years as the first Malay Muslim female governor in southern Thailand, Pateemoh Sadeeyamu has remained a symbol of the Thai government’s openness in appointing women to leadership roles, as well as its commitment to advancing education, economic development, and community well-being.

Pateemoh, 59, is a local who was appointed as Governor of Pattani in November 2022, and after assuming the position, she has focused specifically on empowering women in the Muslim-majority region through an inclusive community-driven approach.

Among her notable initiatives is the establishment of the Women’s Development Centre, set up two years ago as a platform open to all races and religions, aimed at equipping women with training, skills, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Pateemoh firmly believes that meaningful community development must begin with strengthening education, family economic security, and healthcare.

"I believe that to improve the new generation, we need to improve the current generation, especially women," she told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.

She said that women must be equipped with knowledge and opportunities to become independent and actively contribute to the development of their families and communities.

To realise this goal, Pateemoh said she is currently working on drafting a women’s development guidebook alongside a team of 15 individuals, comprising academics, NGO representatives, civil servants, and local youth.

Under her leadership, more than 30 women's groups in Patani are involved in making batik featuring Pattani’s distinctive identity patterns, an initiative that has successfully generated income of up to 35 million Baht annually.

"In Pattani, more than 50 per cent of the approximately 700,000 population are women...the majority of local small entrepreneurs and traders are also women," she said.

Further commenting on her initiatives, Pateemoh emphasised that her women empowerment efforts are aimed not only at raising living standards but also at boosting the local economy and strengthening community resilience.

Regarding the employment trend among the young generation who are demanding new opportunities to be created in line with their interests and skills, Pateemoh said confidence in security in southern Thailand must be further strengthened to enable more young people to remain in their hometowns to work and build careers.

 "We want products from Pattani, such as nasi kerabu, nasi dagang and ayam golek, to be recognisable as tom yam is to Thailand," she said, expressing confidence that the strength of local products can position Pattani prominently on the country’s economic and tourism map.

With one year remaining in her tenure, Pateemoh aims to further expand opportunities for women, especially those in rural areas, to ensure they are not left behind in the wave of development.

 "I believe that peaceful and harmonious living can be achieved when women are given the space and opportunities to grow within their families, communities and careers,” she said.

Pateemoh received her secondary education at Prince of Songkhla University Demonstration School (SATHIC School), Pattani, before continuing her studies at Prince of Songkhla University, Pattani campus.

The former deputy governor of Phatthalung, Narathiwat and Yala has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the four southern provinces of Thailand.

She had also served at the Southern Border Province Administration Centre (SBPAC), a local government agency that coordinates the administration of the southern border provinces

-- BERNAMA