Prai in Thailand


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Approximately 15,000 Phai live in two widespread areas of northern Laos. One group live in Phongsali Province, the northernmost province of Laos, in the Boun-Tai, Boun-Nua, Phongsali and Samphan districts. A large number of Phai also live in Xaignabouri Province, further south. They live in the Hongsa, Xaignabouri and Phiang districts of Xaignabouri Province.

Thailand is reported to contain 31,000 Phai people, but this number may be too high. Research into the Phai is often made difficult because the Lao and Thai call them and the Mal people by the same name, Htin. They also call them Kha Phai, which is a derogatory name.

According to one source, the Phai in Xaignabouri are different from those in Laos, but the Phai of Phongsali are the same culturally and linguistically. The Phai of Phongsali have also been influenced by their neighbors, the Phunoi.

The Phai are generally known as a poverty-stricken and despised people, with a poor sense of self-worth. In some places they have hired themselves out to Hmong and Mien as menial laborers. Their hard lives contribute to their generally dejected appearance. Whatever property or wealth a Phai family is able to gather is inherited by the youngest daughter.

The Phai "typically subsist by hunting for wild game, raising domestic animals and farming small plots of land. Since metal is taboo in their culture, they are particularly skilled at manipulating bamboo to make everything needed around the house; for floor mats and baskets they interweave pared bamboo with a black-colored grass to create bold geometric patterns."

There is some Buddhist influence among the Phai in Laos. Several villages are reported to have temples, but the majority of Phai remain bound to superstition, traditions, and a host of evil spirits that they feel forced to continually placate.

There are about 100 known Phai believers in Laos. Most of these came to Christ in refugee camps in Thailand, and were later repatriated back to Laos.


Prayer Points

Pray God would breath His life and fire into the few known Phai believers in Laos.
Pray the Phai would be set free from the evil spirits and traditions that have bound them for centuries.


Scripture Prayers for the Prai in Thailand.


Profile Source:   Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Prai
People Name in Country Prai
Alternate Names Phai; Phay; Pray; Thung Chan Pray
Population this Country 21,000
Population all Countries 52,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14377
ROP3 Code 108003
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Nan province: Bo Klua, Chalerm Prakiat, Chiang Klang, Pua and Thung Chang districts.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Nan province: Bo Klua, Chalerm Prakiat, Chiang Klang, Pua and Thung Chang districts..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
99.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Prai (21,000 speakers)
Language Code prt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Prai (21,000 speakers)
Language Code prt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Prai

Primary Language:  Prai

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1987-2013)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2019)
Bible-Complete No
Bible-NT Audio 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 Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Prai YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.