Mr. Pairat Wihakarat

Mr Pairat Wihakarat, chairman of the Southern Teachers Federation and director of Wat Phamorn- khatiwan primary school in Pattani, told The Straits Times that he and his colleagues often gave money to local students and the community to assist them.

They had to do so because the community would other- wise not shield them, he said, but it placed a financial strain on the teachers.

About half of the 600 educators and staff in that district alone had submitted requests, said Mr Pairat Wihakarat, chairman of the Teachers' Federation of Pattani.

At the public school where he is the principal, eight out of 10 teachers, including two women, have sought a permit.