Article 48

Pattani's Chinese shrine undergoes renovation
WASSANA NANUAM

The Chao Mae Lim Kor Niew shrine in Pattani province will be renovated in conjunction with the restoration of the nearby Krue Se Mosque, which was damaged in the April 28 seige.

Prayoondech Kananurak, head of the Chao Mae Lim Kor Niew foundation, said a Chinese fortune-teller had recommended that as the mosque was being repaired, then the long-standing shrine to a Chinese goddess should also be renovated.

The two religious sites share a four-century-old history and so should be renovated at the same time, the fortune-teller said.

The road in front of the site is being being elevated and the shrine will be raised to the same level.

Mr Prayoondech said the cost will be about 10 million baht. The government will pay half and the foundation and donations will pay the rest.

Kru Se Mosque was damaged on April 28 when militants took refuge inside after raids on security f! orces. Troops then stormed the mosque.

Local legend has it that Lim Kor Niew cursed the mosque when her elder brother, who had a wife in Pattani, refused to return to China. He claimed he had to stay in Pattani to help complete the construction of the mosque.

The Chinese shrine was slightly vandalised after the April 28 seige.

Mr Prayoondech said the fortune-teller was worried that if only the mosque was renovated, there might be problems in the future.