6 Sectors of the population with special ministry needs:

a) Bangkok, one of Asia's most influential cities, and known as the city of angels and city of sin

b) Children in crisis. Many girls are kidnapped or sold at a very young age into prostitution

c) AIDS victims

d) Of the 73 provinces 14 had fewer than 1,000 Christians of any type in 1992, and three had less than 100 (Phangnga, Ranong and Angtong); four had no evangelical congregations

e) The middle and upper classes, wealthy and educated, but showing little response to the gospel

f) Students. Witness to them is small but growing

g) Buddhist monks number over 300,000

h) Refugees — hundreds of thousands from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam found refuge in Thailand during the Vietnam War

7 Of the 2.5 million Muslims, 90% are Malay

8 The tribal peoples, largely marginalized through lack of personal documentation and ignorance of the Thai language, have begun to respond in significant numbers

a) The multiplying, but scattered congregations among the northern Hmong, Lahu, Lisu, Akha and Karen peoples

b) The Kui, Khmu and Khmer peoples in the east who are unreached

c) The Golden Triangle

d) A Tribal Discipleship Center, run by AO, is providing some workers for the harvest

9 Christian Help Ministries are well developed in Thailand and bearing fruit

a) Bible translation is still a major target for prayer

b) Christian radio has been very effective

c) Christian literature is increasing

d) The JESUS film has been viewed by an equivalent of a third of the population in 17 languages

e) Cassette ministries were first developed in Thailand

Politics

A kingdom since the 13^th Century, and never ruled by a Western power.

Religion

Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution, which was modified in 1998 to loosen ties between the State and Buddhism and increase harmony between religious communities.

Churches in Thailand

Missionaries from Thailand

884 in 24 agencies to 6 countries

Missionaries to Thailand

1,500 in 130 agencies from 33 countries

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Geography

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Area 513,115 sq.km. A fertile and well-watered land bordering on Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Population (2000) 61,399,249 +0.93%AGR

Capital Bangkok 10 mill.

Peoples

Thai 80.4%.

Chinese 10.5%.

Malay 3.8%.

Mon-Khmer 3.4%.

Tibeto-Burman 1.1%.

Meo-Yao 0.2%.

Other 0.6%

Literacy94%. Official language Thai. All languages 75. Languages with Scriptures 15Bi 9NT 11por 27w.i.p.

Economy

Fertile agricultural land – exporting rice, sugar, rubber. HDI 0.753; 67^th/174. Public debt 13% of GNP. Income/person $2,740 (9% of USA).

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