Thailand (formerly Siam) is the only Southeast Asian nation never colonized by a European power. The Church of Christ in Thailand traces its history to the arrival of the first Protestant missionaries in 1828. The church became autonomous in 1934 while uniting with those organized by Presbyterians, British Disciples of Christ, and Baptists. Today, the church includes 350 congregations and more than 100 other worshiping groups, with membership of around 50,000. A priority of the Church of Christ in Thailand is evangelism and Christian education.
Thailand has given refuge to thousands who earlier fled Laos and Kampuchea (Cambodia) and, more recently, the repressive government in Myanmar (Burma). The church works with other organizations to provide relief and support to these refugees, nd it has assumed responsibilities for educating church members about HIV infection, and about how to care for those who have AIDS and those whom AIDS leaves behind.
Pray for: The Church of Christ in Thailand and ministries of theological education, pastoral care, evangelism, education, and communication.
Christian leaders working with refugees on the Thailand-Burma border and helping to care for those with AIDS and their dependent children and elderly relatives.
Population (2014 est) – 67,741,401
Area – 318,800mi
Capital – Bangkok
Ethnic Background
- Thai – 95.9%
- Burmese – 2%
- Other – 1.3%
- Unspecified – 0.9%
Exports – electronics, computer parts, automobiles and parts, electrical appliances, machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber
Imports – capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels
Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 71 years, F 78 years
Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 9.86 deaths/1,000 live births
Adult Illiteracy Rate – 6.5%