About the People
The Royal Kingdom of Thailand (which means Land of the Free) was founded in 1238 in a declaration of independence from Khmer overlords. Bordered by Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia, the country also boasts coastlines on the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Thailand exports large quantities of Jasmin rice, silk cloth, silver and silver jewelry, wicker weaving, cabbage, herbs and naturally-dyed cotton. Open-air markets carry plenty of fresh produce at reasonable prices, and vegetarian restaurants abound. Temperatures range between 60 and 100 degrees year-round, and the political climate is peaceful.
Thailand is a deeply Buddhist nation, with over 92 percent of its population espousing the Buddhist faith. Missionaries have had very little success at penetrating this massive “spiritual wall.” Only about 1.6 percent of the Thai population is Christian. There are 37 Seventh-day Adventist churches in Thailand, most of which are in northern Thailand. Hua Hin—the focus of the Southern Thai Project—has no Seventh-day Adventist presence.
About the Project
The primary goal of the AFM missionaries on the Isan Buddhists project is to establish an indigenous church-planting movement among the Isan Buddhists in Thailand. AFM missionaries live closely among the people, learn the Thai language, study local culture and religion, and build deep friendships to reach this goal. Using what they learn, they will craft evangelistic materials for the Thai Buddhist context. Their aim is to share Christianity in a way that leads to conversions that are deeply meaningful and lasting. Local converts will be discipled to become leaders in the first church planted and trained to plant new churches. In this way, the result will be a locally-led newborn Adventist Christian movement that continues expanding God’s kingdom in Thailand.
People-Group Facts
- Population: 67 million
- Language: Thai
- Religion: Buddhism
We want to speak less and listen more. We want to learn before we act.
By:
Jared Wright
September 01 2020, 12:57 pm | Comments 0
Please pray for our team here in Thailand that we will be able to inspire caregivers in the community and model for them how to engage more actively with their children’s development.
By:
Jared Wright
August 01 2020, 9:04 pm | Comments 0
We invite you to invest in the futures of the children and families we serve here in Thailand by making a pledge of support to our ministry to reach the unreached Isan people of northeast Thailand.
By:
Tonya & Jared Wright - Nilubon Srisai
May 01 2020, 8:37 pm | Comments 0
Please consider partnering with us as we help prevent bullying and educate the children and youth we work with here in Thailand about how to use social media and technology wisely.
By:
Tonya & Jared Wright - Nilubon Srisai
April 01 2020, 1:43 pm | Comments 0
I’ve heard it said that people often forget what you say or do, but they always remember how you made them feel.
By:
Keren Gomez & Jared Wright
February 25 2020, 6:24 pm | Comments 0
After she shared with him, he prayed for her. Then he looked into her eyes and said, “Don’t worry, teacher. Whatever happens in your life, I’ll always be here for you.”
By:
Tonya & Jared Wright - Nilubon Srisai
January 01 2020, 2:44 pm | Comments 0
Often in our work, it feels like we are swimming upstream against an impossibly strong current. But then we see the way that Namjai’s mother looks at her daughter now, with hope in her eyes—hope for a better future for Namjai and her siblings.
By:
Tonya & Jared Wright - Nilubon Srisai
December 01 2019, 3:13 pm | Comments 0
Jared and Ming liaised between ADRA Thailand, local government officials and community leaders, aid workers, and the SDA church and school in Ubon. Though we are saddened by the losses sustained by so many here in our corner of Thailand, this tragedy allowed us to establish many relationships and new connections.
By:
Tonya & Jared Wright - Nilubon Srisai
November 01 2019, 5:39 pm | Comments 0
When we see the kids and our friends here forming real relationships with Jesus, finding peace in their lives and truly beginning to understand that there is a God who loves them, we know it’s worth it.
By:
Tonya & Jared Wright - Nilubon Srisai
October 01 2019, 2:10 pm | Comments 0