Prai in Thailand


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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."


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Phai people need the opportunity to find Christ to be all they need. They need Jesus rather than the spirit world.


Prayer Points

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


Scripture Prayers for the Prai in Thailand.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

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
PeopleID3 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
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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