Thai in Cambodia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Theravada)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Central Tai live on the country's rich central plain. The area, which includes the capital city of Bangkok, is watered by the Chao Phraya River. The Central Tai, who represent more than a third of the population, call themselves the Khon Thai, meaning "the free people".

Centuries ago the Tai 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. Today, Buddhism is the central and unifying force in Thai society and even maintains social control.

Central Thai people have moved to other parts of the world, often to make a better living. A small number of them have migrated to neighboring Cambodia, another Buddhist nation.


Where Are they Located?

There are Central Thai people in Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Central Thai people who have re-located to Cambodia are often business owners who hire Cambodians. Cambodians are eager to learn the Central Thai language in order to further their careers.

The Central Tai are unusually polite, respectful, and hospitable people. Their children are brought up to respect those of a higher rank, with additional emphasis on independence and self-reliance. The Central Tai seldom use physical punishment to discipline children.

Age is highly respected in Central Thai society. Type of occupation, wealth, and place and type of residence follow age in terms of respect and rank. Farmers rank below artisans, merchants, and city government officials; clergy form a separate group. Families are the core of Thai society. In rural areas, the immediate family usually lives, eats, and farms together. A young married couple may live with the bride's family until they can establish their own home.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Theravada Buddhism was introduced in Thailand in 329 B.C. Almost all of the Thai are devout followers of Buddha ("the enlightened one") 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.

Traditionally, young men enter a Buddhist monastery for three months to study Buddhism. The Thai also attempt to incorporate their Buddhist beliefs with folk animism, a practice in which they seek help through the worship of spirits and objects.


What Are Their Needs?

Wherever they live, the Central Thai people do not understand the uniqueness and centrality of Christ. They believe that "Christianity" is good for Westerners, but Buddhism is best for the Thai. They need a special encounter with the Lord that will make it clear that He is far above all gods.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that God will grant wisdom and favor to mission agencies that are currently ministering to the Central Thai.
Ask God to send Christian teachers and medical teams to work among the Central Thai people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Central Thai towards Christ.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Central Thai people in Cambodia.


Scripture Prayers for the Thai in Cambodia.


References

Profiles written by Global Prayer Digest
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11277/TH
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-news/288279/thai-language-studies-in-cambodia
https://books.google.com/books?id=8TkjBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=%22Thai+in+Cambodia%22&source=bl&ots=KhKNfupkEu&sig=avcIJvLnK8tDPYoDAVuNXgIIowA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjb48OhqOjOAhUY52MKHWJGCgkQ6AEIPTAG#v=onepage&q=%22Thai%20in%20Cambodia%22&f=false


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Thai
People Name in Country Thai
Pronunciation tye
Alternate Names Bangkok Thai; Central Tai; Khon Tai; Lao Song; Siamese; Siamese Thai; Tai Noi; Thai Khom; Thai Klang; Thai Song
Population this Country 3,400
Population all Countries 24,271,000
Total Countries 29
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11277
ROP3 Code 101940
Country Cambodia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Cambodia
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: Buddhism (Theravada)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
98.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.15 %)
0.60 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.40 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Thai (3,400 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Thai (3,400 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Thai

Primary Language:  Thai

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1834-1967)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1843-1977)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1883-2020)
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
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Thai Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
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 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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Thai YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Thai Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ ขจง. Bible League
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: ข่าวดี Thai: Good News Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Thai YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ ขจง. Bible League
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Thai Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Deepak Meena - Pixabay 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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