Thailand
Summary
A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. After the Japanese invaded Thailand in 1941, the government split into a pro-Japan faction and a pro-Ally faction backed by the King. Following the war, Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. Thailand since 2005 has experienced several rounds of political turmoil including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat, followed by large-scale street protests by competing political factions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. THAKSIN’s youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, in 2011 led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government.
In early May 2014, after months of large-scale anti-government protests in Bangkok beginning in November 2013, YINGLAK was removed from office by the Constitutional Court and in late May 2014 the Royal Thai Army, led by Royal Thai Army Gen. PRAYUT Chan-ocha, staged a coup against the caretaker government. PRAYUT was appointed prime minister in August 2014. PRAYUT also serves as the head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), a military-affiliated body that oversees the interim government. This body created several interim institutions to promote reform and draft a new constitution, which was passed in a national referendum in August 2016. In late 2017, PRAYUT announced elections would be held by November 2018; he has subsequently suggested they might occur in February 2019. As of mid-December 2018, a previoulsy held ban on campaigning and political activity has been lifted and per parliamentary laws, an election must be held within 150 days. King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet passed away in October 2016 after 70 years on the throne; his only son, WACHIRALONGKON Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun, ascended the throne in December 2016. He signed the new constitution in April 2017. Thailand has also experienced violence associated with the ethno-nationalist insurgency in its southern Malay-Muslim majority provinces. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed and wounded in the insurgency. [1]
📷: Wikipedia
Statistics
From the The Joshua Project [2]
In the News
📷: Wikipedia
Prayer Guide
Thailand has been an island of stability and freedom in a troubled region, but “The Land of Smiles” is also awash with difficulties. Pray for these pressing issues and for the wise leadership and reform needed to address them:
a) The political upheaval of 2006-2008 revealed deep fault lines among various political parties, the military and the royalty. Protests brought the country to a standstill.
b) The violent insurgency in the southern areas near Malaysia has claimed thousands of lives. It is a result of some discrimination against the predominantly Malay Muslim minority and the radicalization of the same.
c) Tensions with other neighbours, including disputes with Cambodia and more notably Myanmar, from which over a million have fled disaster and persecution into Thailand.
d) Structures of sin and vice continue to prosper, despite increasing efforts to combat them. Corruption allows unscrupulous men – in business, politics, the military and police – to enrich themselves while oppressing others. The moral blights of the sex trade, drug networks, crime syndicates and ecological degradation will remain as long as they are profitable and tolerated. Pray for the breaking of these structures of sin by God’s power.
Christian help ministries are well developed in Thailand and bearing fruit.
a) Bible translation is still a major target for prayer. Work is in progress in several languages – main agencies being Thailand Bible Society, Biblica, SIL, NTM and OMF. Of 29 languages without Scriptures, 10 definitely need translation programmes. Of the four versions of the Thai Bible in circulation, a new version from 2007 is an effective study version.
b) Christian radio remains very effective. Many Thai stations daily air Christian programmes. FEBC, Full Gospel Radio (The Way) and The Voice of Peace Studio prepare a wide range of programmes. Response is gratifying – from both Buddhists and Muslims – from FEBC programmes broadcast over 27 different Thai stations.
c) Christian literature is increasing. Over 1,000 Thai books have been published. Several Christian publishers (such as CLC, OMF [Kanok], CMA and Mittam) play crucial roles in providing appropriate materials for both evangelism and teaching. There are more than 20 Christian bookstores in the land, three of which are run by CLC. Interest is high in FEBC’s Bible Correspondence Courses. EHC has distributed over 20 million pieces of gospel literature.
d) The JESUS film, in 25 languages, has been viewed by millions.
e) Audio resources for unevangelized mission fields were pioneered in Thailand. The Voice of Peace Studio pioneered the use of evangelistic and teaching cassettes; now they digitally record Christian materials for the same purposes. GRN has materials in 79 languages and a key base in Chiang Mai.
f) Digital resources. MAF created a digital library of over 4,000 resources in Thai – an invaluable and portable collection of materials for Christian workers and pastors. These materials for evangelism, discipleship and leadership development are also available on the Internet.
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