Thailand
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DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMY |
LIFE & LIBERTY |
Contents |
[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
- Originally known as Siam, Thailand changed its name in the mid-twentieth century. “Thailand” means “land of the free” in the Thai language and reflects the fact it is the only South-east Asian nation never to have been taken over by a European power.
[edit] Climate
[edit] Natural Resources
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Peoples
- See Peoples of Thailand.
- Thai
- Mpi 900
- Yoy
- Nyaw
- Saek
- Arkha
- Kao Bu
- Mong
- Mien
- Lua
- Kalang
- Moken, See Gipsy
- Lahu
- Akha
- Kren
- Phutai
- Taisong
- Shan
- Lisu
- Pow Karen
[edit] Language
- A list of languages spoken in the country: Global Recording
[edit] Provinces
- Bangkok, capital
- Chiang Mai
[edit] Life
- Thailand means Land of the Free because it successfully retained its freedom when surrounding countries were colonized by Western powers. It is believed that a special guardian angel, Phra Sayam Devadhiraj, protected the land, and a golden image of this spirit being was made. It has been worshipped ever since. The land is in bondage to a complex web of culture, spirit appeasement, occult practices and Buddhism, with a social cohesiveness out of which few have dared to come. For many Thai, their nationality and religion are inextricably linked. Pray for the spiritual breakthrough so that in the Lord Jesus the Thai may be free indeed.
- Although politically free, the nation is in bondage to a complex web of culture, spirit appeasement, occult practices, and Buddhism, with a social cohesiveness out of which few have dared to come.
- The sex trade, drug networks, crime syndicates and environmental degradation are destroying both lives and land.
- Although prostitution has technically been illegal since 1960, it is common, socially acceptable, and viewed as a practice which reduces the incidence of rape. Add to this the fact that it is financially lucrative and the end result is that Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is also the sin capital of Asia, with a sex industry on which the livelihoods of over two million people depend. Girls are kidnapped and sold into prostitution in large numbers and are abused terribly, frequently dying young. The percentage of Thai girls between ages 11 and 17 dragged into this abject existence is shamefully high. Many come from neighbouring countries or minority populations. AIDS is becoming a major scourge with a large percentage of prostitutes contracting the disease.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Government
- The nation needs stability after the December 23 election failed to give a majority to the winning party. Also, the unrest continues in southern Thailand where there are killings happening daily. The situation of the South Thailand has not improved yet. The news of killing is still going on.
- In the three Southern provinces Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla are many problems. These are poverty, the abducted drugs, many unemployed youth and insurgent activities who are demanding more autonomy is still going on. So the three southern provinces become the political issues among the parties in national level almost every day. On Saturday, March 13, 2008, a powerful car bomb exploded close by the lobby of CS Hotel. The bomb killed two and injured 13 people. One bomb exploded lightly at a toilet and another one in the restaurant did not explode. One among the serious injure was man who is working as a local politician and journalist. Actually that Hotel was considered as the safest Hotel in the three provinces until that day. The interior minister said, “I have no idea how to resolve the Southern problem”. So now some people say that there is no safe place any more in this area.
- Thailand's southernmost region is now the daily scene of brutal killings. Though the church has not yet been targeted, one believer has been killed and several injured. People try to be careful, always 'looking over their shoulder' at who is around. Satan is behind it all, but Jesus has overcome the world no matter what happens! Believers are standing firm in the faith, learning to trust God and be less affected by the fear.
- An example is the Pattani Church. The Christians are very close to the community, befriending very needy children and adults, both mixed up with alcohol, gambling and worse. Two ladies, whose husbands were murdered randomly by terrorists while riding their motorbikes, bring their children to kid’s activities. A third lady brings her two nephews, orphaned in the same way. These people are drawn to the warmth and care of the Christians, who pray that hearts will open to Jesus, too.
- Pray that the situation will cause many of both major religions to "call on the Name of the Lord." For fifty years the Gospel has been sown here to thousands of people. Pray as the church hopes to be more effective and bold in witness as they host various projects (elderly, health) held by community officials. The church also administers a tiny education scholarship funded by a Christian organization.
[edit] Religion
- Buddhism, which is the state religion, 92.3%, Islam 5.2%. Christianity 1.6%
- Theravada Buddhism was introduced in Thailand in 329 B.C. Almost all of the Thai are devout followers of Buddha ("the enlightened one") and seek to eliminate suffering and improve their future by gaining merit in pursuit of perfect peace, or nirvana. They believe that merit can be acquired through feeding monks, donating to temples, and attending worship services. Traditionally, young men enter a Buddhist monastery for three months to study Buddhism. The Thai also attempt to incorporate their Buddhist beliefs with folk animism, a practice in which they seek help through the worship of spirits and objects such as amulets. Thailand is often promoted as the "most thoroughly Buddhist country in the world," and the common belief that "to be Thai is to be Buddhist" pervades all of Thai society.
[edit] Islam
[edit] Buddhism
- Across the nation of Thailand there are 36,000 Buddhist temples and over 300,000 Buddhist monks. Thailand is the most Buddhist country in the world. And although 93% of the population claim Buddhism as their religion and the cultural implications of Buddhism run deep in the heart of the Thais, most Thais are nominal in practice. Thai Buddhism is a mix of Hindu, animistic and Chinese religions. Although there has been mission work there for over 250 years, the response of the Thai people has been very slow. About 0.5% of the Thais follow Christ and the majority of these are tribal peoples in the north. Ethnic Thai and particularly urban Thai are very unreached. Buddhist elements—temples, spirit houses, etc.—permeate the nation. Buddhism is in decline by only the smallest of margins, and is likely to maintain its pre-eminent place in society for decades or centuries without some significant breakthrough.
[edit] Christianity
[edit] History
[edit] Churches
- About 0.5% of the Thais follow Christ and the majority of these are tribal peoples in the north.
[edit] Church and State Relations
[edit] Mission and Evangelization
- Approximately 1,250 missionaries and 3,186 full time Thai Christian workers are reaching out to 63 million Thais. There is only about one Christian worker for every 15,000 people. Christianity is growing but forms only a very small portion, disappointing church growth. Yet, expectancy. Christians 0.6% in 1900, 0.9% in 1985, but 1.6% in 2000.
- The people are hungry and open for the hope which is offered through Jesus, but the new believers meet strong opposition when they try to break from old patterns of living, they need to find that God truly is their strength. The prayer is that many more will make the decision to turn away from their old beliefs and idol worship to follow the one true and living God.
- Pray for freedom for those who have been enslaved through trickery or poverty and forced to work in the prevalent sex industry. Pray that God will choose special people to minister on His behalf to these precious people, to bring comfort and sustenance to those trapped in bitter and unwelcome sexual toil. Pray for the girls who have become too old or too sick to be of any value to those who have kept them indentured. As they are released onto the streets, pray that they will find Jesus and be restored – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Pray that they will be lifted to a place of peace unlike any they have ever experienced, through special communion with our loving Savior.
- Storytelling among the Kao Bu Read: Momentum
[edit] Broadcasting
[edit] Councils and Networks
[edit] Future Trends
[edit] For More Reading
