Thai in Ukraine
Photo Source:
Deepak Meena - Pixabay
|
Send Joshua Project a map of this people group.
|
| People Name: | Thai |
| Country: | Ukraine |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 3,300 |
| World Population: | 24,271,000 |
| Primary Language: | Thai |
| Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
| Christian Adherents: | 2.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 1.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Thai |
| Affinity Bloc: | Southeast Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
|
Introduction / History
Centuries ago, the Central Thai people 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. The Central Thai speak Thai, the official language of Thailand.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Because the economy in Thailand is stable, there is a relatively small Thai diaspora.
Many of the Thai study abroad, and some of them are in Ukraine. There are Thai restaurants in Ukraine, mostly owned by people of Thai descent while others are owned by ethnic Chinese.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Theravada Buddhism was introduced in Thailand in 329 B.C. Almost all of the Thai are devout followers of Gautama Buddha and seek to eliminate suffering and improve their future by gaining merit in pursuit of perfect peace, or nirvana. They believe that merit can be acquired through feeding monks, donating to temples, and attending worship services.
What Are Their Needs?
Ukrainian believers can reach out to Buddhist students from Thailand by opening their homes to them and giving them a "home away from home." In this informal, relaxed atmosphere, they can share the deeds of Jesus Christ with Thai Buddhists.
Prayer Points
Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Central Thai people in Ukraine. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Thai people in Ukraine teachable and understanding hearts. Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Central Thai families into a rich experience of God's blessing. Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Central Thai family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.