Thai in Taiwan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Centuries ago the Thai lived north of Yangtzekiang in China. Relentless pressure by the Chinese gradually forced them southward. They conquered many peoples and cultures as they sought a new homeland, and by the 10th century they had settled in what is now central Thailand. A bloodless revolution in 1932, led by Westernized intellectuals, instituted a democratic constitutional monarchy. However, the country has suffered numerous governmental upheavals since then. Today, Buddhism is the central and unifying force in Thai society and even maintains social control. Central Thai is the official language of the country.


Where Are they Located?

Though most Central Thai speakers live in Bangkok and other locations in central Thailand, some have migrated to other parts of the world like the US, Canada, and several European countries. Others have migrated to Taiwan for employment.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Central Thai people in Taiwan are usually there as low-paid workers. They have to pay a large fee to those who get them there; that fee can sometimes take up everything they earn for a year or more. They work long, hard hours in hopes of making money to take home to Thailand. They have their own Thai association in Taiwan.

Among their favorite celebration is the Songkran Festival, which is the Thai New Year. Unlike the Chinese Taiwanese who celebrate the new year with firecrackers, the Central Thai celebrate with water! People dance and enjoy music while someone hoses them down with the welcome blessing of cool water.

The Central Thai are unusually polite, respectful, and hospitable people. Their children are brought up to respect those of a higher rank, with additional emphasis on independence and self-reliance. Age is highly respected in Central Tai society. Type of occupation, wealth, and type of residence can also gain respect for a Central Thai person.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Theravada Buddhism was introduced in Thailand in 329 B.C. Almost all of the Central Thai people are followers of Buddha ("the enlightened one") and seek to eliminate suffering and improve their future by gaining merit in pursuit of perfect peace, or nirvana. They believe they can acquire merit through feeding Buddhist monks, donating to temples, and attending Buddhist worship services. The Central Thai also attempt to incorporate their Buddhist beliefs with folk animism, a practice in which they seek help through the worship of spirits and objects.


What Are Their Needs?

Central Thai people often feel out of place in Taiwan. They have to deal with language and cultural differences, which can leave them feeling lonely and depressed. They need fellowships of people coming together for the comfort offered by Jesus Christ, the living water.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Central Thai towards believers so that they will be receptive to the gospel.
As it stands only a handful of the Central Thai people follow Christ. Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Central Thai people in Taiwan.
The Bible, the JESUS Film, and audio recordings are all available in the Central Thai language. Pray that these will find their way into the homes of Thai people in Taiwan and provide them comfort and joy.


Scripture Prayers for the Thai in Taiwan.


References

http://www.mol.go.th/en/anonymouse/foreignlabour/43805
http://www.mol.go.th/en/anonymouse/foreignlabour/22050
http://city543.com/taipei/2016/01/13/10-pictures-to-show-your-friends-the-difference-between-taiwan-and-thailand/
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/01/15/2003289060


Profile Source:   Global Prayer Digest  

People Name General Thai
People Name in Country Thai
Pronunciation tye
Alternate Names Bangkok Thai; Central Tai; Khon Tai; Lao Song; Siamese; Siamese Thai; Tai Noi; Thai Khom; Thai Klang; Thai Song
Population this Country 65,000
Population all Countries 24,237,000
Total Countries 29
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11277
ROP3 Code 101940
ROP25 Code 308102
ROP25 Name Thai
Country Taiwan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Taiwan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
92.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
3.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
4.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Thai (65,000 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Thai (65,000 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Thai

Primary Language:  Thai

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1834-1967)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1843-1977)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1883-2020)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Thai Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Photo Source Deepak Meena - Pixabay 
Profile Source Global Prayer Digest 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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