Thailand

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. Mission Personnel Michal Dobson Elementary teacher at Chiang Mai International School, and assisting in the development of curriculum Salvador Martinez Professor of Theology at Payap University Partners The Church of Christ in Thailand The Church of Christ in Thailand has active programs in HIV/AIDS education and prevention. They also are providing vocational training to tribal women in the hope that this will reduce the numbers of women joining the sex industry. The Thai Burma Border Consortium The Thai Burma Border Consortium provides only basic food and shelter for refugee populations, but the need exceeds the available assistance. They have estimated that as many as 600,000 Burmese are internally displaced persons (IDPs) The Burmese Army destroys homes in areas where they have found ethnic resistance and as a result the population flees to resettlement sites. Many of these IDPs are used for forced labor and many flee the country becoming refugees by crossing the border into Thailand. The Consortium has reported that this year has seen the worst human rights abuses across the border since 1997. They are seeking support for their Emergency Rice Assistance Program. Thailand does not wish to accept any more refugees and would like to begin repatriation of those already in Thailand. The situation in Burma (Myanmar) has not substantially improved, however, and although repatriation will be an issue at some point, it does not seem likely to happen soon. McGilvary Faculty of Theology at Payap University The McGilvary Faculty of Theology is dedicated to preparing quality leadership for the Christian church in Thailand. Payap University is a Christian institution that offers an excellent education and training in a variety of subjects. Both Payap University and McGilvary are attended by students from several nations of Southern Asia in addition to Thailand, including China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Recently, Global Ministries missionary, Salvador Martinez, has spent five years teaching theology at McGilvary.

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%