The largest native language is Southern Thai ( ), also known as Pak Thai or Dambro ( ), which is a southwestern Tai language spoken in the 14 changwat of southern Thailand as well as by small Thai communities in the northernmost Malaysian states. It is spoken natively by roughly five million people and as a second language by the 1.5 million native speakers of Patani Malay, along with other ethnic groups such as the local Negritos communities, and other tribal groups. Although Central Thai is the sole official language in Thailand and most people are able to communicate in Central Thai, the language is only the third largest native language in Southern Thailand, with roughly four hundred thousand native speakers. In particular, it is only native among Teochew, Hoklo, Hakka and Cantonese ethnic groups, particularly in their major ethnic enclaves like Hat Yai and Bandon districts. Administrative divisions The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) identities Southern Thailand as 14 provinces. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) includes for Southern Thailand (east coast) also the two provinces: Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi. Demography Southern Thailand has 9.454 million inhabitants and its population density is . Ten major cities of southern Thailand Religion Thailand is a Buddhist majority country. About 93.46% in Thailand follow Buddhism. Buddhism is the majority religion in Southern Thailand as well. However, Buddhism makes up only 75.45% in Southern Thailand. Thai people follow Theravada Buddhism. Minority ethnic groups such as Khmer also follow Buddhism. 10 out of 14 provinces in Southern Thailand have Buddhist majorities. Islam constitutes 24.33% of Southern Thailand even though Islam only constitutes 5.36% of the whole country. Islam is mostly followed by Malay people in Southernmost Thailand. There's also a small Thai Muslim population. Islam is the majority religion in the Malay majority in Yala, Pattani, Naratiwat and Satun provinces near Malaysia known as Southernmost Thailand. Christianity makes up 0.21% of Southern Thailand population. Sikhism makes up 0.05% in Southern Thailand. Sikhism is followed by Indian immigrants. Economy The bulk of the southern population relies on agriculture for 27 percent of its gross regional product in 2014. It is followed by industry (12 percent), trade (10 percent), transportation (9 percent), tourism (8 percent), and construction and property (7 percent). For FY 2018, Southern Thailand Region had a combined economic output of 1,402 trillion baht (US$45.2 billion), or 8.6 percent