Kingdom of Thailand
Geography
Area: 513,115 sq km
A fertile and well-watered land bordering on Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Population: 68,139,238 Annual Growth: 0.66%
Capital: Bangkok
Urbanites: 34%
HDI Rank: 87 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 114
Official language: Thai Languages: 85
Religion
Largest Religion: Buddhist
Religion Pop % Ann Gr
Christians 749,532 1.10 2.8
Evangelicals 307,305 0.5 3.6
Buddhist 58,136,398 85.32
Thailand has been an island of stability and freedom in a troubled region, but “The Land of Smiles” is also awash with difficulties. Pray for these pressing issues and for the wise leadership and reform needed to address them:
a) The political upheaval of 2006-2008 revealed deep fault lines among various political parties, the military and the royalty. Protests brought the country to a standstill.
b) The violent insurgency in the southern areas near Malaysia has claimed thousands of lives. It is a result of some discrimination against the predominantly Malay Muslim minority and the radicalization of the same.
c) Tensions with other neighbours, including disputes with Cambodia and more notably Myanmar, from which over a million have fled disaster and persecution into Thailand.
d) Structures of sin and vice continue to prosper, despite increasing efforts to combat them. Corruption allows unscrupulous men – in business, politics, the military and police – to enrich themselves while oppressing others. The moral blights of the sex trade, drug networks, crime syndicates and ecological degradation will remain as long as they are profitable and tolerated. Pray for the breaking of these structures of sin by God’s power.
Christian help ministries are well developed in Thailand and bearing fruit.
a) Bible translation is still a major target for prayer. Work is in progress in several languages – main agencies being Thailand Bible Society, Biblica, SIL, NTM and OMF. Of 29 languages without Scriptures, 10 definitely need translation programmes. Of the four versions of the Thai Bible in circulation, a new version from 2007 is an effective study version.
b) Christian radio remains very effective. Many Thai stations daily air Christian programmes. FEBC, Full Gospel Radio (The Way) and The Voice of Peace Studio prepare a wide range of programmes. Response is gratifying – from both Buddhists and Muslims – from FEBC programmes broadcast over 27 different Thai stations.
c) Christian literature is increasing. Over 1,000 Thai books have been published. Several Christian publishers (such as CLC, OMF [Kanok], CMA and Mittam) play crucial roles in providing appropriate materials for both evangelism and teaching. There are more than 20 Christian bookstores in the land, three of which are run by CLC. Interest is high in FEBC’s Bible Correspondence Courses. EHC has distributed over 20 million pieces of gospel literature.
d) The JESUS film, in 25 languages, has been viewed by millions.
e) Audio resources for unevangelized mission fields were pioneered in Thailand. The Voice of Peace Studio pioneered the use of evangelistic and teaching cassettes; now they digitally record Christian materials for the same purposes. GRN has materials in 79 languages and a key base in Chiang Mai.
f) Digital resources. MAF created a digital library of over 4,000 resources in Thai – an invaluable and portable collection of materials for Christian workers and pastors. These materials for evangelism, discipleship and leadership development are also available on the Internet.
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