Thai in Korea, South


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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. A bloodless revolution in 1932, led by Westernized intellectuals, instituted a democratic constitutional monarchy. However, the country has suffered numerous governmental upheavals since then.


Where Are they Located?

Most Thai people live in their home country, although many refugees enter Japan and South Korea seeking job opportunities and a better life.


What Are Their Lives Like?

South Korea is a popular place for Thai refugees to find work. They arrive seeking hope for their future.

Korea switched from a military dictatorship to a democracy resulting in an economic upturn, requiring more workers, especially in industry. There are, however, growing pains as abuses of workers' rights from employers, and discrimination from South Koreans occur. Many today remain illegally, because of South Korean archaic employment laws. Also, some unknowingly enter with fraudulent visas provided by dishonest brokers. Life is hard for South Korean Thai refugees in many ways, and improving in others as the government catches up to the refugee/need ratio.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Buddhism is the central and unifying force in Thai society and even maintains social control.

Theravada Buddhism was introduced in Thailand in 329 B.C. Almost all of the Tai 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 Tai 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?

The most pressing need of Thai people in South Korea is to understand the truth of the loving God who has made provision for them to become His children, and has paid the full payment of the penalty of their sins. Bible resources exist in the Thai language, but they are not making their way to many Thai people. Who will pay the price to tell them?


Prayer Points

Pray for his kingdom to come and his will to be done among the Central Thai people in South Korea.
Pray for a movement of Thai households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Central Thai people to the arms of Jesus.
Pray for South Korean workers who are filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to go to the Thai people.


Scripture Prayers for the Thai in Korea, South.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11277/TH


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 103,000
Population all Countries 24,271,000
Total Countries 29
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 11277
ROP3 Code 101940

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
99.20 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.40 %)
0.80 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Thai (103,000 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Thai (103,000 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 Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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