This paper considers the consequences that modernization has had on Islamic education in Thailand among the minority Muslim population. The major themes include: (1) an account of how modern secular developments were incorporated and combined with political policies established by Thai authorities as a nation-building device; (2) the consequences of new educational policies on traditional Islamic educational institutions in Thailand; and (3) an overview of the pluralistic and nationalistic tendencies that have influenced education and economic development and created tensions between Buddhists and Muslims. The paper concludes that secularization and modernization have engendered both pluralistic and monolithic assimilation tendencies and created problems for Islamic educational development, especially since official Thai policy continues to be determined by Buddhist ideology. A 25-item bibliography is included. (JHP)