There is a lot of confusion surrounding the identity and history of the Khorat Thai. Joachim Schliesinger, in his 2001 book, "Tai Groups of Thailand: Profile of the Existing Groups," explains: "Seidenfaden described the Khorat Thai as a group of people who are not of pure Thai stock but the descendants of Siamese (Thai) soldiers and Khmer women in the first half of the fourteenth century. Credner, on the other hand, classified the Khorat Thai with the central Siamese. Linguists from the Mahidol University recently classified their language as a central Thai dialect, and the Khorat Thai as an individual Tai-speaking group."
The Khorat Thai people themselves believe that they are descended from Thai soldiers sent from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima in 1827 to fight against Lao troops. The Khorat Thai attacked and pushed the Lao back across the Mekong River.
The Khorat Thai people live in Nakhon Ratchasima Province in central Thailand. They mainly inhabit two large villages, Ban Nung Thap Prang and Ban Nong Samrong, both in the Chok Chai District about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the provincial capital. Approximately 4,000 Khorat Thai people live in each village. A few thousand Khorat Thai live in smaller villages in and around Nakhon Ratchasima City.
In the past, Khorat Thai men were skilled hunters of deer, wild pigs and other animals, but these have become all but extinct in the area due to over-hunting. They have been forced to feed their families through agricultural means, and now they only hunt for small animals like birds, snakes and rats.
This group does not appear on most ethnographic lists of groups in Thailand because their language is only considered slightly different from standard Central Thai. They do, however, consider themselves a unique ethnic group. Despite being surrounded by Isan (Northeast Thai speakers), the Khorat Thai speak Central Thai. This sets them apart from their neighbors and creates a strong sense of group cohesion.
Almost all Khorat Thai families are Theravada Buddhists. In addition to worshiping Buddha, they "believe in an array of spirits, including those which reside in villages, houses, forests, trees, water and other objects in the natural surroundings. The most important spirit is the spirit of the village, called jau ban. Once a year in April, the villagers gather at the spirit house to bring offerings of pigs' heads, chickens, whisky and flowers to appease the protector of the village."
Very few Khorat Thai have believed in Christ, and there has been little gospel witness among this proud and spiritually needy people group.
Pray the Khorat Thai would see they do not have to live in slavery to spirits if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.
Pray for loving workers.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.
Scripture Prayers for the Thai, Khorat in Thailand.
Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
