Thai in Denmark


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Central Tai, or Siamese, 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 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 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 the country. However, most of the Thai people in Denmark are from a region called Isan that has its own language that is closer to Lao than Thai.

Most of the Thai in Denmark are from Isan, a region in northeastern Thailand that borders Laos and Cambodia. In Denmark, most live in Copenhagen, though some live in other cities and towns.

There is a special connection between the Danes and the Thai. People from both countries commonly go to the other country as tourists. In 2023, a Thai-Danish woman was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2023.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Thai people in Denmark are women who are working to support family members in Thailand. They can make far more money working in brothels than they can elsewhere, so many voluntarily become prostitutes. Others are cleaning women. Back in Thailand such women are considered heroes for providing for their families. Some are married to Danish men.

There are Thai people who have opened popular Thai restaurants. Thai boxing or Muaythai is becoming popular in Denmark.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Theravada Buddhism was introduced in Thailand in 329 B.C. Almost all of the Thai are 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 commonly believe that to be Thai is to be a Buddhist; there is no other way for them. They blur the distinctions between various religious leaders. The women who come to Denmark are there to earn money, and few have time or energy to devote to spiritual matters.


What Are Their Needs?

The Thai do not suffer from the baggage of coming from a war-torn land like many other people groups in Denmark. However, they suffer spiritually from not having a loving God who would do anything to help them to flourish. Instead, they rely on Buddhism as a religion and as an aspect of their culture.


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 the mission agencies that are currently ministering to the Thai people in Europe.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong indigenous churches and a Disciple Making Movement among the Thai people in Denmark.
Pray for believers to provide a place of refuge for Thai women who devote their time making money in degrading settings.


Scripture Prayers for the Thai in Denmark.


References

https://copenhagen.thaiembassy.org/en/content/part-18-the-vibrant-thai-community-in-denmark?cate=6037639bf53c8f119c49fd32
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_talk:Thai_people_of_Danish_descent
https://prachatai.com/english/node/6316
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZgqEvN8DHE


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

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 12,000
Population all Countries 24,271,000
Total Countries 29
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11277
ROP3 Code 101940
Country Denmark
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Denmark
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
96.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
1.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
1.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Thai (12,000 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Thai (12,000 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 Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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