Thailand
Kingdom of Thailand
Asia
See Prayer Information
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
Official language: Thai Languages: 85 All languages
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 |
Answer to Prayer
The Church in Thailand is growing. Numeric increases have always been modest at best, but of late, they are proportionately more rapid. There is a perception of greater interest in the gospel by many in Thailand. Many church and mission leaders feel Thailand is poised for its greatest – or first – breakthrough of church growth. Already, 65% of ethnic Thai church members are first-generation believers. For an additional 2 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
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.
For an additional 11 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
Challenge for Prayer
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.
For an additional 11 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Thailand.
