Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Thailand


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The homeland of the Tamil people is southeast India. Tamil is one of the major languages of India. Many thousands of Tamils have left India and live in dozens of countries throughout the world including Thailand.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Tamil communities in Thailand continue with their traditional Indian customs, language and religions. Tamil Indians live in both rural areas and urban centers. Many have successfully ventured into all walks of Thai life. Some Tamils are professionals, but the majority are businesspersons owning shops and small companies. What Tamil Indians lack in opportunity, they overcome through creativity. Tamils often speak three to four languages, cook a variety of curries, wear vibrantly colored materials, and have a lively culture. The father is the head of the Tamil family. He shares leadership with his wife over the children. A woman has a higher place in the Tamil home than in most Asian cultures. Parents encourage their sons and daughters to excel in education and obtain college degrees. Tamils in Thailand try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time become model citizens of Thailand. In traditional Tamil culture, the parents chose the spouse of their children. This practice has changed in modern society where children frequently choose their life partner with their parents' guidance. In India a Tamil man may have more than one wife if he can afford them. In Thailand monogamy or marriage to one spouse is the official law but a man may have one of more consorts who function as "wives."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of Tamils in Thailand practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Tamils visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hope of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do with their heavenly Father. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The Hinduism of the Tamils is compatible with the Buddhism of the Thai people. The main yearly holidays of the Tamil people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The Tamils in Thailand often celebrate Buddhist holidays. Buddhism is the religion of most Thai people.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hindu Tamils must come to understand that Jesus Christ is not just another Hindu god or guru. He is the unique Son of the one true God who alone can forgive their sins. The Tamils need to see the love of Jesus demonstrated to them in practical ways.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Tamils in Thailand. Pray the Lord moves Thai believers and churches to reach out and share the good news with the Tamils. Pray that more Christian literature, radio broadcasts, and videos become available in the Tamil language. Ask God to bring Tamil leaders and heads of families into His kingdom.


Scripture Prayers for the Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Thailand.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamils
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_diaspora#Other_countries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indians_in_Thailand


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tamil (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tamil (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TAH-mill
Alternate Names तमिल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 36,000
Population all Countries 2,857,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 18211
ROP3 Code 113732
ROP25 Code 307913
ROP25 Name Tamil
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
10.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
82.00 %
Islam
5.00 %
Non-Religious
2.50 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tamil (36,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Tigalu
Dialect Code 18869   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (36,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Tigalu
Dialect Code 18869   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2021)
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 General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
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 World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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