Even among the young men there are goatees and retreating hairlines. A few women in white full-length hajib robes sit at the back with only their faces exposed. There are many temptations in Phuket that can lead to wayward behaviour, says the Imam. But it depends on personal discipline. Those who are spiritually strong cannot be tempted away.
Real believers can live in any circumstance.
With their strong community ties and spiritual discipline. Phuket s Muslims exhibit a sense of social cohesion and unhurried friendship perhaps missing in other villages. On the other side of the island adult sea nomads, like Native Americans and Australian Aboriginals, sit ill at ease with acquisitive, materialistic society. Headman Tang notes that village children speak Thai now and young men prefer to enter employment than live off the sea. New problems abound.