Religion and reproduction: Muslims in Buddhist Thailand

This study examines the contrast between Muslim reproductive attitudes and behaviour in Thailand and those of Buddhists, especially in the southern re gion. Results are based primarily on a large regional survey directed towar ds this topic and focus group discussions among Muslims in Southern Thailan d. We interpret Muslim reproductive patterns from the perspectives of the m ajor hypotheses that have been invoked in the social demographic literature to explain links between religion and fertility. These hypotheses partly e xplain what appears to be a complex and context-specific relationship. Neve rtheless, the linkages between religion, ethnic and cultural identity, and political setting that appear to operate are more complex than can be fully explained by even a combination of the existing hypotheses.