Thai in United Kingdom
Photo Source:
Deepak Meena - Pixabay
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| People Name: | Thai |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 55,000 |
| World Population: | 24,341,800 |
| Primary Language: | Thai |
| Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.50 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.30 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Thai |
| Affinity Bloc: | Southeast Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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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 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. However, these upheavals have not caused Thai people to need to flee their homeland. There are Thai communities in the British cities of London, Bath and Manchester.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Some Thai people in the UK come to attend the fine universities and stay, even members of the Thai royal family. For that reason, there are well-educated ethnic Thais in the UK. The UK is interested in allowing Thai people to enter who have skills in medicine, accounting, software engineering, and architecture. However, many Thai people there are in the service industries, especially restaurants and the motel industry. There is a higher percentage of women to men largely because some go there to marry British men. This has led to some negative stereotypes which Thai women are trying to address. Others, unfortunately, are trafficked into the UK as prostitutes; most UK brothels include Thai women.
The Thai people in the UK are trying to maintain their culture and religion, which is always difficult as they enter the second generation. To do this, they have numerous Thai associations. Their young enjoy Thai cultural events. Young Thai people, especially college students, have an annual sporting event.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Today, Buddhism is the central and unifying force in Thai society and even maintains social control. The Thai maintain their own Buddhist temples in the UK. They have many Buddhist festivals they celebrate throughout the year.
What Are Their Needs?
The Thai Buddhists in the UK need to hear what Jesus Christ has to offer them. In many cases they have been there long enough that the window of opportunity is over.
Prayer Points
Ask God to raise prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray for a strong desire for spiritual truth among Thai Buddhists in the UK that will lead to a movement to Christ.
Pray for workers to go to them bearing Christ and His kingdom.